is there anything I can do?

Nvworldwide

I have been paying my leccy bill by direct debit for the past two years of about 50quid a month on an estimated bill basis and by an off chance off having a day off the meter man appeared and read the meter.

Anyway bill comes through saying I owe an additional £800 for the past 18 months.

I can't understand paying a 40% increase for a two bed flat where I work during the day and is using minimal stuff during the evening??!??

Is there anything I can do?? I don't have a spare £800!!

Magentasue

Prices have gone up - you haven't been using £50 a month of energy - you've been using £95. So your DD needs to be increased to £95 plus another monthly amount to clear the debt. You need to negotiate with your supplier - they will allow you to spread the repayment. Alternative is prepayment meters.

Vestra

You've had a catch up bill, best way to avoid this is to make sure you submit readings when your bills are estimated.

mluton

I make sure I do quarterly updates of actual readings, even monthly at times.

Haven't you been receiving a Quarterly or monthly bill showing you DR amount increasing ?

Garz

Nvworldwide wrote: »

I have been paying my leccy bill by direct debit for the past two years of about 50quid a month on an estimated bill basis and by an off chance ... the meter man appeared and read the meter.

Is there anything I can do?? I don't have a spare £800!!

This shows that ignorance isnt bliss. Whilst the energy companies are bullies and money robbing so and so's it is also not their responsibilty to do everything for you.

The estimated reads encourage this to spiral out of control, however with todays facility of being able to phone in accurate reads or update them on a web-account, theres no excusing these instances in the main. :beer:

Regarding your £800, it isnt the end of the world. They are reasonable and have to accept any repayment method offered by you as long as you are showing that you are trying to clear the debt. Offer them a payment method that suits your budget by basically over-paying what you are currently using. So if your bill should be £55 pm offer them £70 pm month till you catch up.

Cardew

Nvworldwide wrote: »

I have been paying my leccy bill by direct debit for the past two years of about 50quid a month on an estimated bill basis and by an off chance off having a day off the meter man appeared and read the meter.

Anyway bill comes through saying I owe an additional £800 for the past 18 months.

I can't understand paying a 40% increase for a two bed flat where I work during the day and is using minimal stuff during the evening??!??

Is there anything I can do?? I don't have a spare £800!!

Welcome to the forum.

I am not sure I understand the point you are making.

Your previous bills would have indicated that they were based on Estimated meter readings. It really is your responsibility to inform the company of the correct meter readings.

If you have paid £50 a month for 2 years and owe £800 that is £1,000 a year.

The average UK bill is £1,300 and that is for those who have gas. Electricity only is a lot more expensive(I assume you don't have gas?) so you are paying well below average.

As said above, the Utility company will spread the £800 over the next year or so; but that will be a huge hike from the £50 you have been paying.