Electricity Charges

grovess797 · 2 September 2010 at 2:07PM

I am with Southern Electric (got told it would be cheaper to switch - yeah right).

The problem I have is that I was told how much I needed to pay a month (£48) for my electric, which I did. I must admit that after 18 months I was surprised that I hadn't had any statements, but, as the money was coming out of my bank, assumed all was OK.

I have now received a bill for £1200 as I have been advised that the £48 did not cover the usuage. I have now increased this to £80, but, have the problem of the excess £1200.

The electricity company have agreed it was their fault that they haven't supplied any statements, reviewed our usage and advised that a higher monthly payment was required.

They have said that they will waive half of the amount and I can pay the remaining sum over the next 12 months.

Any one else had similar problems and know whether I have any rights to waive the whole of the £1200 as it was the electricty companies error? or whether I just have to grin and bear it

Thanks
Simon

macman · 2 September 2010 at 3:02PM

You should consider yourself fortunate to get away with a £600 reduction, so don't push your luck. I don't think the 12m back billing rule would apply here as you've seemingly not pursued them to get a statement.
Why didn't you chase for a statement or submit any meter readings yourself in 18m?
You've used the energy so it has to be paid for.

dogshome · 2 September 2010 at 3:18PM

Hi grovess797 - There is a "No more than 12 months" back billing agreement which applies when the supplier is entirely at fault in not sending out bills, so on the face of it SE are being generous in knocking off half of the value of 18 months costs
ie Today being 2nd Sept 2010, they can bill you for everything since the 3rd Sept. 2009, but are losing payment for the 6 months prior to that.

However you should check the bill's details yourself, just what were the charges prior to one year back from the date on the bill you did get?

From your figures I guess that you are in an ECO7 heated property, in which case I'm concerned about the figures - You were payng £576 a year in D/D's, but also ran up a debt worth £800 a year, which is a total of £1376 a year - Which is a typical ECO7 bill for someone not on the best tariff with
D/D payments and online billing. - which requires a monthly D/D payment of £115!You need to establish your yearly use in Kw, (Same as Elec meter units) by regularly reading your meter, then when you have a final figure visit some Switch sites to find a better tariff

Electricity Charges

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