Speak To An Expert
Get clear, personalised advice for your situation.
Jot down a few questions to make the most of your conversation.
Can debt or arrears increase gas and electricity bills?
Yes, arrears can sometimes make your energy bills feel higher, but not always in the way people expect. In the UK, suppliers cannot usually increase the unit rate on your tariff simply because you owe money. However, they may add extra costs through repayment plans, security deposits, or by moving you onto a different payment method.
If you fall behind, your supplier may ask you to repay the debt alongside your ongoing energy use. That means your total monthly bill can rise, even if the price per unit stays the same. For many households, this is what makes the bill seem more expensive.
How debt repayment affects your bill
When you owe money, the supplier may add a set amount to each bill or top up payment. This is often arranged as part of a debt repayment plan. The repayment amount is separate from your normal gas and electricity charges.
If you use a prepayment meter, some of your top-up money may go towards repaying arrears first. That can leave less credit available for your current energy use. As a result, you may need to top up more often to stay connected.
Can suppliers change your tariff or payment method?
In some cases, a supplier may switch you from direct debit to another payment method if you miss payments. Prepayment meters are often used to recover debt, although there are rules about when this can happen. The way you pay can affect your costs because different payment methods may have different rates or fees.
Being on a standard variable tariff, or losing access to a cheaper direct debit deal, can also make bills higher. This is not because of the arrears themselves, but because of the tariff you end up on. It is important to check whether your current plan is still the best option.
What rights do you have if you are in arrears?
Suppliers must follow rules set by Ofgem and should take your ability to pay into account. They are expected to work with you on affordable repayment plans. If you are struggling, you should contact your supplier as early as possible.
You can ask for a payment plan that fits your budget and request an explanation of any charges. If you receive benefits, are in vulnerable circumstances, or have a medical issue, let your supplier know. This may affect how they deal with your debt.
How to reduce the impact of arrears
Check your bill carefully to see how much is for current usage and how much is debt repayment. This can help you understand whether your bills are rising because of arrears or because of higher energy use. Smart meter readings and regular meter checks can also prevent estimated bills.
If your debts are becoming unmanageable, seek help from your supplier, Citizens Advice, or a debt adviser. Acting early can stop the problem from getting worse. The sooner you deal with arrears, the easier it is to keep your gas and electricity costs under control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills is when a supplier adds a repayment amount to your ongoing energy bills to recover money you already owe for past unpaid gas or electricity charges.
Debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills can happen if you miss payments, fall behind on a payment plan, or carry unpaid balance from a previous account or property.
Debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills usually increases the amount you pay each month because part of each bill goes toward clearing the outstanding debt as well as current usage.
The person named on the energy account is usually responsible for debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills, even if the arrears built up over time or were caused by earlier missed payments.
Debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills are not usually removed automatically, but they may be reduced, rescheduled, or disputed if there is an error or if you can prove the debt is incorrect.
You can check debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills by comparing your statements, meter readings, payment history, and any letters from your supplier to make sure the balance and repayment amount are accurate.
If debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills are unaffordable, contact your supplier as soon as possible to ask for a review, lower repayment terms, or a payment plan based on what you can realistically afford.
Yes, you can often negotiate debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills with your supplier by asking for a smaller repayment amount, longer repayment period, or a temporary payment break.
Debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills can affect your credit score if the supplier reports missed payments, defaults, or collection activity to credit reference agencies.
Debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills can increase the risk of further enforcement action, including disconnection in some cases, although suppliers must follow rules and usually try to agree repayment arrangements first.
Yes, debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills are often recovered through a prepayment meter by taking a set amount from each top-up to repay the outstanding balance.
If debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills are from a previous tenant, you should tell the supplier immediately, provide evidence that you did not live there during the period, and ask for the account to be corrected.
Yes, benefits, charitable grants, and hardship funds may help reduce debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills, especially if you are struggling to keep up with essential living costs.
Debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills usually stay on the account until the full balance is repaid, written off, or otherwise settled with the supplier.
Customers have rights regarding debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills, including the right to clear information, fair treatment, affordable repayment options, and the ability to complain if the supplier acts unfairly.
You may be able to switch suppliers if you have debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills, but eligibility depends on how much you owe, the type of meter you have, and the rules of the energy market.
You can complain about debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills by contacting the supplier’s complaints team, explaining the problem clearly, and asking for the balance or repayment plan to be reviewed.
Debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills should not normally be inherited just because you move into a property, unless you are legally responsible for the previous account or agree to take over the debt.
Useful documents for disputing debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills include tenancy agreements, move-in or move-out dates, meter photos, bills, bank statements, and any correspondence with the supplier.
You can get help with debt or arrears increasing gas and electricity bills from your energy supplier, debt advice charities, welfare support services, and local assistance schemes that help with energy costs.
Ergsy Search Results
This website offers general information and is not a substitute for professional advice.
Always seek guidance from qualified professionals.
If you have any medical concerns or need urgent help, contact a healthcare professional or emergency services immediately.
Some of this content was generated with AI assistance. We've done our best to keep it accurate, helpful, and human-friendly.
- Ergsy carefully checks the information in the videos we provide here.
- Videos shown by Youtube after a video has completed, have NOT been reviewed by ERGSY.
- To view, click the arrow in centre of video.
- Most of the videos you find here will have subtitles and/or closed captions available.
- You may need to turn these on, and choose your preferred language.
- Go to the video you'd like to watch.
- If closed captions (CC) are available, settings will be visible on the bottom right of the video player.
- To turn on Captions, click settings.
- To turn off Captions, click settings again.