NPower Estimated Bill

GP1983
GP1983 Posts: 103 Forumite
First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
in Energy
Long story short; I've received a big bill from NPower, following moving out of an apartment. I don't dispute I owe them a significant amount of it, however it is based on estimated readings as I did not take them when I lived there.

NPower advise that they 'overestimate' when they are not given meter readings. Do I have any comeback? Clearly I know I should have taken readings, but I can't do anything about that now. (FYI, they have estimated my monthly electric usage at apx £150 PCM in a 2 bedroom apartment, which seems excessive to me.)

Any help would be appreciated
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Comments

  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 31,818 Forumite
    Name Dropper Photogenic First Post First Anniversary
    You supply them with actual readings, simple.

    Did you or the letting agent / landlord not take move in and move out readings ? Can you get a current reading ?

    If not you are on a hiding to nothing and have learned a very expensive lesson.
  • footyguy
    footyguy Posts: 4,157 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post
    GP1983 wrote: »
    Long story short; I've received a big bill from NPower, following moving out of an apartment. I don't dispute I owe them a significant amount of it, however it is based on estimated readings as I did not take them when I lived there.

    NPower advise that they 'overestimate' when they are not given meter readings. Do I have any comeback? Clearly I know I should have taken readings, but I can't do anything about that now. (FYI, they have estimated my monthly electric usage at apx £150 PCM in a 2 bedroom apartment, which seems excessive to me.)

    Any help would be appreciated

    Seems very strange that any supplier would admit to over estimating the readings.
    The definition of an estimate is an approximate calculation or judgement of the value - if they are using a value higher than this, they would not be estimating it.

    However, estimates are not needed in the case of moving out of a property as almost always someone else will take over the account.
    So, without a verified reading of your own, you will be in the hands of the new occpant who hopefully won't over-read the satrt reading, laeving you to pay the initial amount they use.

    Suppliers ensure end readings of one account align with start readings of the next - or investigate why not.

    All readings are verified by the independent meter reading agency, so any supplier over-estimating on a routine basis would soon be found out.
  • nPower
    nPower Posts: 1,319 Organisation Representative
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    GP1983 wrote: »
    Long story short; I've received a big bill from NPower, following moving out of an apartment. I don't dispute I owe them a significant amount of it, however it is based on estimated readings as I did not take them when I lived there.

    NPower advise that they 'overestimate' when they are not given meter readings. Do I have any comeback? Clearly I know I should have taken readings, but I can't do anything about that now. (FYI, they have estimated my monthly electric usage at apx £150 PCM in a 2 bedroom apartment, which seems excessive to me.)

    Any help would be appreciated





    Hi GP1983,

    Thanks for your message. Please contact us using the details on our profile page so we can help with your billing query.

    Thanks

    Jen :)
    “Official Company Representative"
    I am the official company representative of nPower. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE.
    If we ask you to contact us, please do so using helpandsupport@npower.com - MSE Forum has temporarily allowed the display of our contact details in our signature due to a technical issue with our profile
  • footyguy
    footyguy Posts: 4,157 Forumite
    Combo Breaker First Post
    nPower wrote: »
    Hi GP1983,

    Thanks for your message. Please contact us using the details on our profile page so we can help with your billing query.

    Thanks

    Jen :)

    I understand the OP has already emailed your colleague, Alan, about this account

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=5707879

    :cool:
  • frugalmacdugal
    frugalmacdugal Posts: 10,077 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post Photogenic First Anniversary
    Hi,

    unless you have accurate readings from when you moved out how can you expect and accurate bill.

    Contact agency or new occupant for their entry readings, then try to negotiate with NPower.

    Hope you have taken entry readings for your new move.
  • LewisHamilton
    LewisHamilton Posts: 88 Forumite
    The estimated readings should be fair and reasonable. If you are not happy with the estimates, question it further then go to the Ombudsman after 8 weeks. Do not lot anyone fob you off if you have genuine concerns.
  • GP1983
    GP1983 Posts: 103 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    Thank you for your replies. I recognise I should have taken meter readings. I can not, however, see how they have estimated my electric at £150 PCM for a 2 bedroom apartment. NPower have explained they have estimated it, which I accept, I just can't accept the £150 PCM. It seems disproportionately high.

    I'm not sure what to do now. NPower say that's the cost. Could someone advise me? Do I go straight to the ombudsman?
  • frugalmacdugal
    frugalmacdugal Posts: 10,077 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post Photogenic First Anniversary
    Hi,

    you say they are estimating £150 PCM, so how many months are they charging you, usually when you get a final bill it is 'you owe £xxx', not so much a month.
  • spiro
    spiro Posts: 6,403 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    GP1983 wrote: »
    Thank you for your replies. I recognise I should have taken meter readings. I can not, however, see how they have estimated my electric at £150 PCM for a 2 bedroom apartment. NPower have explained they have estimated it, which I accept, I just can't accept the £150 PCM. It seems disproportionately high.

    I'm not sure what to do now. NPower say that's the cost. Could someone advise me? Do I go straight to the ombudsman?
    Did your letting agent record your move in and move out meter readings (good agents do)?
    Does the bill start and end with an estimated reading or is it just the end reading that is estimated?
    Is there a new tenant in the flat who would have provided them with an opening reading?
    If neither you or the agent recording the readings you could be at the mercy of the new tenant being honest about their opening reading.
    Is the flat all electric?
    IT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.

    4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).
  • GP1983
    GP1983 Posts: 103 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    Sorry for the late reply.

    The £150 PCM is me estimating what they've estimated each month, based on the total amount of apx £3,000 they've charged me.

    The dates on the bill are correct.

    No meter readings were taken and I don't know whether the new tenant has taken them and sadly I've no way of finding out this information.

    It comes down to me thinking £150 PCM is too much. The flat was all electric, and had 2 bedrooms.

    Thanks again,
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