been recieiving estimated bills for a meter that isn't ours!

binkyboo_2

I have been with npower for gas and electricity since i moved into our property in april 2007 i set up a direct debit and was making monthly payments so stupidly when my statements came i didn't pay too much attention to them because i knew i was paying something and having been pregnant and having a newborn baby about i really didn;t have the time!
i noticed a couple of months ago that our bills were being estimated even though i had been giving them readings so i contacted npower. It took them a while but it turned out that the estimated bills were for a meter not even anything to do with our property so they had not been correctly billing us for that whole time through no fault of our own.
I have finally received what they state to be a correct bill for this whole period, and i owe £500.
i am wondering how they have managed to work this out because everytime i called to discuss the problem they could never find any meter readings associated with my account or any evidence of visits by meter readers. it feels to me like they have just made up what they feel to be an appropriate amount to pay
does anyone have any experience of this happening to them. Any ideas where i go from here?

binkyboo_2

i have just read a bit further into this forum and have seen that some people have mentioned that utility companies can only bill you back 1 year if it is an error at their end. does this mean that i only have to pay arrears back 1 year as i don't believe it is my fault i have been not been billed correctly and they haven't actually sent me a bill for the correct meter until last month?

spiro

As they have now sent you a revised bill does the opening reading (April'07) and latest reading match what you believe it should be? This may be difficult to determine if you dont have details of the reading when you moved in.
The billing code applies when they have not billed you not when they have billed you incorrectly. They will also argue that you have failed to inform them that the previous bills were incorrect and that they are only required to read the meter every 2 years.
Best you can try for is (a) a reduction on the basis it is partly their fault and (b) time to spread the payments over.
As you may also have found on this forum the golden rule is 'get your bill, check your meter reading'. Obviously this is too late for you but should act as a warning going forward.

binkyboo_2

thanks for that advice. this being my first house it has all been very confusing for me! i just thought that because they were getting readings everything would be ok and at no point would i have ever thought to check the serial number on the meter and i don't think that is something they ask you when you set up an account. i just assumed that as the previous occupants were also with npower they would already have the correct details and it was just a case of me supplying my first meter reading on moving in. I am going to get it paid and move to another company start afresh and be much more vigilant!

spiro

Before you just pay it and move suppliers I would try and haggle them down on how much you owe them. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain.

binkyboo_2

yes i was thinking about that but not really sure how to go about it. is it a case of calling the normal customer service number and going from there? i just want to get it sorted pay and get out today if possible! but i'm assuming if i try and negotiate the bill then they will have to send me out a new one and that took 2 months to get the one i received today!

spiro

The reason why it porbably took two months to sort out is back tracking to find the correct meter details. If you call and complain today and get them to agree a reduction just accept it and ideally ask for email confirming reduction 'for your records'. As soon as you have confirmation you can find another supplier and start the transfer process because they will have to issue you a final bill anyway which they should reduce by the 'reduction' you negotiate. Good luck and think of the things you can buy the little move you dont have to pay.