Wrong Meter Reading

swallace78

Southern have been reading my neighbour's electricity meter as mine and vice versa for 3 years 4 months. There's two people in my flat and one downstairs so it is likely that we use more and therefore haven't being paying enough. I am extremely worried about receiving a 3 year electricity bill! Can they do that? Please help!

spiro

This is a difficult one around the 1 year back billing rule especially if your neighbour knows whats happened. The situation is described as a crossed meter and probably dates from the last time the meter(s) were exchanged. The question is, did you check the readings on the bill? was the meter labelled with your Meter Point Admin Number (13 digits) or flat number? was the meter serial on the meter and bill the same? If the answer to all three is yes then I think that (a) your neighbour is entitled to a refund and (b) becuase the problem was not of your making but the supplier (they control the meter worker) then I think the 1 year back bill may apply.

swallace78

The meter point admin number and the reading and the flat number all tally it's just that it attached to the wrong flat. You say there's a 1 year back billing rule then? That's better than 3 and a bit years for sure. Do you know if my neighbour will get his full refund? He's been there for around 7 years and it has been wrong since he moved in. Thank you very much

brysiewysie

It comes down to the question, was your supplier aware of the crossed meter issue and if so did they take action. You'll be lucky to get away with not paying the bill although the usual comments about spreading the debt and some sort of goodwill gesture from your supplier applies.

The other thing they are likley to consider is should you have realised from the size of your bills that it was obvious there was an issue?

SwanJon

Are you both with the same supplier? If there has been a point when you were with different suppliers it will make it more difficult.
I'd start taking regular readings now to help estimate what your bills should have been over the last few years so you have a better idea where you stand.

micaheron

I have a similar problem that I thought I could add on to this thread rather than start a new one.
I moved into my current flat in Feb and tried to switch electric suppliers but had problems trying to find out who our supplier is. Basically we have been receiving bills from British Gas for the electricity but when I called them up to give the moving in meter readings they said that our meter wasn't registered with them.
I have been trying to find out who our meter is registered with but can not find this out, the agency we rent from have no clue and haven't been very helpful. Just been giving me an email address and phone number with no one to help at the end!
I am getting increasingly worried about what bill to expect, and BG keep on sending threatening final warning letters stating that we owe them over £500 even though I've told them the situation. I just received another letter today stating that someone will be coming round in the next 7 days to install a prepayment meter plus we will be liable for extra fees of over £300!
I cannot even afford to pay the £500 and I am getting really stressed about it. When I moved in I hoped to be paying only £25 a month with Southern Electric as I'd signed a contrat with them but I haven't paid a thing and am worried I'll get lumped with a massive bill.
I'm not sure who is paying for our electricity as we haven't been cut off.
It's all so confusing and I just feel like burying my head in the sand and hoping I won't ever have to pay. I've had letters threatening to cut us off but how can they when our meter isn't with them?
Has anyone else got any advice? Or can I get away with not paying???!!!

ex-energywatch_adviser

micaheron - if you can get the serial number from the meter I can use a contact who can confirm who does supply it.