huge electricity bill

HCkernow

Today I recieved a bill from my electricity company for £1882! Usually its about £200-300. When I rang them they said that the last 3 1/2 years worth of bills have been on estimated readings. When I asked why a man hadnt been to read my meter in that time they said they weren't sure but legally the meter had to be read by a qualified electricity person every two years (I personally thought it was every year???). They pointed out that I could have rung them in that time. Yes I could of but I didnt realise they were estimated readings. Am I legally obliged to do that?

Where do I stand on this? If, as they have admitted, the meter should be read every two years then am I entitled to ask that the excess 18 months be wiped off!? can I argue the whole amount??? any ideas?

milliemonster

I did hear something about meters should be read every 2 years but I am not sure if this is a legal requirement enabling you to have the debt beyond that written off.

Surely you should have noticed all your bills for the last few years have been estimated as it will usually say on the bill next to the reading if it is estimated or actual?

From now on you need to make a point of checking your meter yourself and submitting actual readings, I do this every month now with mine and submit them online so I know that I am paying for actual electricity used and am not going to get stung like this.

Your best bet is to discuss a repayment plan with your provider but perhaps speak to consumer direct who will help you as to your actual rights on how much of this debt you will have to pay

beecher

I don't understand how you didn't realise they were estimated when you know no-one's ever read the meter. How did you imagine they were working out your usage? I don't know if you've any chance of not paying the money, since you did use the electricity. Did they ever leave a card? Get into the habit of checking every bill from now on - or better still enter them online if that's possible.

KimYeovil

Electricity meters do not have to be read every two years. Neither do gas meters. But gas meters do have to have a cursory safety check. Quite often a reading is also taken at that time.

You used it. You were regularly billed. The bills would have the fact they were estimated clearly marked. You chose not to correct this. The monies are due in full.

markharding557

don't rely on estimated readings send real ones often and was your last bill based on an actual reading?

Premier_2

If they had over estimated your usage resulting in you paying too much, would you now be looking for reimbursement?

foxgloves

Sorry to hear about the huge bill. You'll need to pay it, I'm sure. I got caught out like this a few years ago but not nearly such a big bill. Since then, if I know someone has been to read the meters (i.e because I have personallly let him/her in myself & seen it done) then I go with what the bill says, BUT if it's an estimate, which is clearly stated on the bill.....usually it has the reading then an E and tells you that the E is an estimate.....then I always take a reading myself. You can phone this through to an automated line & they send you a corrected bill. Unless there's just a tiny difference, I do this each time, as any underpayment mounts up so quickly over the months & results in a horrible bill, as has happened with you.