When can a power company cut off your electricity supply
Electricity is an essential daily commodity for consumers. A power company can only cut off your electricity supply if you have significantly violated the terms of your electricity supply contract. A breach of contract is deemed significant if, for example, you have neglected to pay your electricity bills for an ext
Procedure of cutting off electricity supply
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If you have not paid your electricity bill on time
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If you have not paid your electricity bill on time, the power company must send you a written warning.
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If you still do not pay the bill, the company will send you a separate warning of the pending electricity cut-off.
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The warning of pending electricity cut-off must
- Specify the time when the electricity supply will be cut off
- Instruct the customer on how to clarify the matter and find different payment options. You should contact your power company to discuss the possibility of extending your repayment time or to agree on some other payment arrangement. You can also receive social assistance from the local social welfare office to pay the electricity bill.
- Specify your rights in the event that you have failed to pay your electricity bills due to illness, unemployment or other special reason. In this case, the electricity supply may not be cut off until three months after the due date of the invoice. You must notify the power company and the supplier of the payment impediment as soon as possible.
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The electricity supply will be cut off no earlier than two weeks after the last warning.
Restrictions on cutting off electricity supply
If you have an agreement with your local power company that covers both the sales and distribution of electricity, your electricity supply can only be cut off if you have more than EUR 500 worth of unpaid bills or if at least three months have passed since the due date of your oldest outstanding invoice.
If, on the other hand, you have separate contracts with the seller of electricity and the network operator responsible for the distribution of electricity, neither party may cut off your electricity supply unless you have at least EUR 250 in unpaid bills or if at least three months have passed since the due date of your oldest outstanding invoice.
If your apartment is heated with electricity, the electricity supply may not be interrupted due to unpaid bills between the beginning of October and the end of April until four months have passed since the due date of the outstanding invoice.
Costs of interrupting electricity supply
The power company has the right to charge you a reasonable fee in accordance with their price list for sending you the written warning and the cut-off warning, as well as for cutting off and reconnecting your electricity supply. The power company will not reconnect your electricity until you have paid these fees and the overdue invoices.