Problem With Edf!

cathodetube

Hello, I cannot get a correct bill out of EDF. Started after I moved back into my house after having tenants. Tenants did not give EDF closing reading. I took reading when I moved in. After submitting it to EDF they said it couldn't be correct as it seemed "too high" and not in keeping with the tenants' previous bills. So then EDF decided to bill me for a large part of what the tenants had used as they hadn't sent in their own reading. I have refused to pay that amount and kept asking them for the bill between when I moved in and what the following reading was. I found out that the tenants had been sent an 'estimated' closing reading, which EDF seemed happy to do. EDF are extremely difficult to deal with, and to date they haven't had any money from me as I told them I would pay them when they billed me correctly. I read somewhere (forgot where) that if a utility company doesn't give you a 'correct' reading within 2 years then they can't bill you (or something like that!) Have contacted the various complaint bods and they are just waiting to see what EDF does. I have bombarded EDF with letters and have had at least 5 very lengthy phone calls with different people. Each time I speak to someone I have to start over at the beginning of the story and it gets ridiculous.

Anyone have any ideas to force them to give me a correct bill? I would be grateful to receive any suggestions. Thanks.

SwanJon

The billing code only covers you if the property hasn't been billed for 12 months. Following that time, any bill can only be for the previous 12 months.

In your case, they have billed you, and you are disputing the read. I'd keep giving them regular readings (at least monthly). They can then use your consumption to see for themselves that your reading was accurate. You could even invite them to send round someone to read it.
You could also pay them for what you used (requires a bit of maths, but gives you the moral high ground). You could maybe pay the following quarters/bills (only for consumption, not balance brought forward) as with your readings they shuld be right.
Keep track of who you have spoken to and what they said.
Don't know how EDF do it, but should be reawsonably easy to adjust tenant's final bill & your first bill.
Keep at them.

cathodetube

Thanks for your reply SwanJon. I have a few more questions. At first EDF carried on sending bills to the previous tenants, in their names, even though they knew they weren't living there. It took over 12 months for EDF to rectify this, so can you let me know more about the 12 month rule you mentioned.

I did not live in the house for quite a while after the tenants had left, although had taken a reading after they moved out.

cathodetube

Can anyone clarify this 12 month rule please? Is there something in writing, and if so where can I find it? Thanks.

filmnoir

http://www.energy-retail.org.uk/documents/CodeofPracticeforAccurateBills.pdf

http://www.energy-retail.org.uk/documents/BillingCodeFAQs15Oct08.pdf

It is down to individual interpretation on the Back Billing Rule. On what day did the tennants stop being tennants? Also when did you take the first read?

When did you notify that the tennants had left? Was this before of after they had left seeing as they didnt give a read?

katie1

I'm with EDF soon to be moving and there customer service is nill , i had a problem with my direct debit not going out on time and the bank charged me (which i did get back in the end ) EDF didnt want to help me at all and it was there fault it happened ........good luck OP with dealing with these muppets ..

cathodetube

filmnoir wrote: »

http://www.energy-retail.org.uk/documents/CodeofPracticeforAccurateBills.pdf

http://www.energy-retail.org.uk/documents/BillingCodeFAQs15Oct08.pdf

It is down to individual interpretation on the Back Billing Rule. On what day did the tennants stop being tennants? Also when did you take the first read?

When did you notify that the tennants had left? Was this before of after they had left seeing as they didnt give a read?

Hi,
I was not in the country so a neighbour went in to check after the tenants moved out. The tenants overstayed their tenancy by 3 months, and didn't pay their rent. The neighbour kept going round to see if they had moved out by ringing doorbell. The bizarre thing is that tenants must have told EDF that they had moved as when I eventually tallked to them (EDF) they said that they had sent the tenants an estimated bill to their new address! I am still at a loss to know what to do.

filmnoir

Ok I'd sumbit a formal complaint in writing with the details. Explain that under the new guidleines you are giving them 8 weeks to address your complaint. Within this time they should investigate your claim and either uphold or reject your complaint and issue a letter. If the letter rejects your complaint it is called a deadlock letter. If they fail by the end of the 8 weeks you can go to the ombudsman. While this is going on take regular reads weekly, to show your consumption.

If you have formally complained before have all the dates details of conversations etc. and been issued a deadlock letter raise an omburdmsman complaint directly. They will adjudicate.

http://www.energy-ombudsman.org.uk/links/5-14-energy_company_complaints.php