back dated bill for 7 years on wrong tariff

gazmancat

Hi had a shock today british gas wanted £2440 for back dated bill (electric)they said meter reading was wrong..have being paying by dd for a while but changed to quaterley had some refunds..but they say they want it back..is this the fault of the meter reading company or the electric company who installed the meter..in2002 they refunded me £900 last month for over charging.
now they want the 2440 ..can they back date this bill for this long.

we have got in touch with BG but would like some advice from this site.
any help Thanks

Premier_2

Why was the meter reading wrong? faulty meter? estimated readings?

I doubt you've had the same meter reader for the past 7 years who has always made the same mistake in reading your meter.

Cardew

The guiding principle in these matters is(normally) that if you have used the electricity - you are liable to pay for it; and especially as you have received "some refunds" one of which was for £900.

There might be some leeway for any sums over the 6 year period.

I believe also there is a defence that if you genuinely believed that you were entitled to the refunds, and to pay back would cause hardship.

There have been plenty of precedents where banks have wrongly credited huge sums to an account, and the account holder withdrawing those funds. The banks invariably win those claims.

You as an account holder also have a responsibility to check your bills so you share some of the fault. You should check your meter readings.

It is also difficult to envisage that you have received refunds averaging £600 a year and were not aware that it was an error - and arguing that case in court!

Your difficulty is that BG hold the whip hand in that they can cut you off(after legal steps - unless you can defend) and you cannot move to another supplier.

wakeupalarm

Was the reading estimated throughtout the last 7 years? Have you been receiving bills during this 7 year period?

spiro

You don't say if you also have gas, does electricity provide your heating?

gazmancat

hi
yes we had bills some estimated but we did send in readings but they still estimated the bill, we had the meter read several times by Meter Plus but still
not right ...

gazmancat

BG now think its a faulty meter when installed 7 years ago..but why would we know . does the meter reading company have to test these every 2 years
????

Premier_2

If BG only think it's a faulty meter and don't know for sure by having had the meter tested, then expect a further bill to come once they confirm it is faulty.

In the meantime, if the shortfall is caused by previous readings being estimated, then you owe the money. You could always have checked bills based on estimated readings vs an actual meter reading you take yourself. If there is a major discrepancy, you should ask for a revised bill then, rather than wait 7 years.

Is the latest reading estimated or actual? If estimated, is it about correct based on you reading the meter now? If not, then that is the only possible case that you may be able to ask them to recalculate what you owe based on an accurate current reading.

amcluesent

Your best bet is the meedja, write to the local paper, TV station, your MP etc. Everyone hates the utility companies.

wakeupalarm

If they have produced a bill then it's likely you will have to pay for the energy used. However, you say you gave them actual readings so ask them why they did not produce a bill with the correct information. If you can not pay the whole bill tell the energy company and ask them for a payment plan, they may allow you to spread it over a 12 months or so.

gazmancat

they have reported a fault on the meter and started my bill from zero
and fitted a single phase meter with only one reading..many thanks british gas..you can get things done on these forums give good advice and credit is due to british gas.:T