Forced to live without power over deceased grandmother's debt I The Hui 2019

This story first aired on 23/06/2019.

Made with the support of Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air.

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#powercuts #thehui #NZ #currentaffairs

[JillSwindley]

What a lovely young lady, she always spoke nicely and never used foul language. Surely the grandmother's lawyer sorting out her estate, could have got onto the power Co. And when estate sorted the overdue money would be paid. In the meantime connect power for young lady, who would pay for what she uses.

[kweenzwalters]

Wtf they are new tenants. The home is under a new owner that's insane.The line company did everything illegal by this woman saying she's responsible for the debt then not giving her receipt under her name once the debt was paid. I hope she takes them to court. Shame on them

[dafgilmour]

She should not have had to pay a bill that wasn't hers, this power company needs to be closed down

[jesssmith]

Our govt has a lot to answer for. Letting companies operate unethically is becoming the norm

[dawnezone]

No TLC from TLC...disgusting! Be great if a lawyer picked this up for this whanau!

[shyshy]

Nz is a mess 😢 run by greedy selfish politicians and company’s that are aloud to do as they please this is so sad and horrible

[ngatakemaori]

I would have loved to pick this one up as an advocate:

My POV: Issue of Debt Responsibility:
The new tenants are not liable for the deceased grandmother’s unpaid power bill. The debt should be settled by the deceased’s estate, not the new occupants.

Power Restoration:
The power company (TLC) must restore power to the property and pursue the outstanding debt from the grandmother's estate, not the new tenants.

Legal Procedures:
TLC must follow legal procedures in collecting debts from the estate and should not hold new tenants responsible.

Receipt for Payment:
TLC is required to provide a receipt for the payment made by WINZ to settle the debt. If TLC refuses to provide a receipt, the mother should formally request it and, if necessary, escalate the issue to regulatory authorities or seek legal assistance.

[remixesfordjs]

Saddest thing is no one helped? Welcome to NZ 2024. Every man for himself.

[MVeeP]

When money is more important than the welfare of children. Disgusting company.

She did not sign no contract, so she wasn't liable to paying that bill.

If YOU paid for something, it is YOU that receives the receipt.

If a family, unrelated to the deceased moved into that house, would TLC have forced that family to pay the bill too? Because, according to them they couldn't put the power back onto that property until it was paid so that tells me that they wouldve forced me to pay for it if I decided to move in even though I didnt know the lady. Is that legal, pushing someone else's bill onto others like that?

[PanmureEst]

This just hurt my heart for Lorna and her kids. She tried so hard to find a way and The Line Company has zero empathy towards her family. What a disgusting power company. Hope other's out there are not in the same situation. RIP to Grandma 🤍🕊🙏 Definitely going to share this to make other's aware.

[komitimusic]

Call the company out! That is inhumane!!! The fact that you offered a payment plan and denied is shocking!

[shonatyson]

TLC shame on you, Why does this lady have to pay some one elses outstanding bill, that is not right.

[Maia-ts]

That's heartbreaking for the babies ❤ Strong mama ❤❤ Unfortunately we live amongst cold hearted people but there's still alot of good ones left ❤❤❤

[Roachichan]

How tf does someone elses debt become yours. That's like someone moved out of a house after racking up $2.5k of debt and the new tenants have to pay it. Wtf makes no sense. She was so calm i wouldn't have been. But you can tell his managers are absolutely useless making him deal with all the calls with zero help from them. Close them down.

[Bissut]

This is horrific. Thank you for this important investigation and reporting.

[rickykingi]

That TLC company sound like pricks.. do the right thing by this lady, she’s only asking for a receipt with her name on it as proof of payment to cover herself.

[jcoburn]

There was a facebook group made up of customers who had similar problems with this company from over the top power rate increases, extreme line maintenance charges?property damage etc. Truly shocking that a Company like this Exists!

[christinecoxhead]

Absolutely discusting shame on you tlc denying a whanau with a human right for power and it wasn't the wahines power bill either

[Sam-lkeo]

Lodge it with the small claims court for any claims under $ 3K, probably only costs you like $30.00 no lawyers involved you simply talk to a mediator and lay it all on the table the truth even about your Kuia.
Record phone logs dates discussions and proof of All calls to TLC about the situation.
Go there prepared with everything ! TLC may settle with a refund outside of court to keep their reputation intact, Otherwise risk getting fined for being in breach of any fair trading acts or any other offences they've commited.
Yo Good Luck !

[nikiTricoteuse]

What the hell is wrong with our welfare system that this family couldn't get help to pay the bill. I understand the lines company want their money but this is patently unfair.