Have been paying neighbours electricity!

happymoo

Hi

This is a wierd one so not sure if anyone else has had this happen. Basically I have been getting charged for my nighbours electricity use and they have been getting charged for mine (we are both in a block of flats on the ground floor). The serial numbers on our bills are the same as the ones on our meters so it looks like the cables for our flats were attached to the wrong meters when the flats were built a couple of years ago.

Luckily my neighbours and I have the same provider (Scottish Power) so hopefully it shouldn't be too difficult to sort out. My neighbours will owe money but I will be owed money back. The problem is my landlord lived here before me so ,if money is owed from the time he was here, will that be deducted from my reimbursement?

Also...it's not Scottish Powers fault but surely my neighbour has a case with the company that built the flats as he is now facing a large bill. And would I be able to claim interest back on what I was overcharged (again - it wasn't Scottish Powers fault so it would be the building/electric company that should be held responsible)?

What a palava!

Nic

tanyam_2

hello,
interestingly- today even I have found the same problem. However, the other flat is rented and has had many tenants.

moreso- tenants meter reading (ie actually mine) is more than mine (ie tenants) so I will have to pay out more money !!!!!

any advice is welcome

Cardew

There have been several posts on this theme.

As you say it is not the Utility company's fault, but the developer.

IIRC the utility company will not compensate you - why should they?

If your neighbour won't play ball(many won't!) then it becomes a dispute between you, neighbour and developer.

spiro

Cardew wrote: »

There have been several posts on this theme.

As you say it is not the Utility company's fault, but the developer.

IIRC the utility company will not compensate you - why should they?

If your neighbour won't play ball(many won't!) then it becomes a dispute between you, neighbour and developer.

Sorry to disagree Cardew but the supplier's meter operator is responsible for installing the meter and connecting it to the consumer unit or a cutout by the consumer unit. He will have had to be provided with a certificate for each property he connects. Most meter workers will check basic things like lights go on/off once the supply is live. If they do this they should realise their records are wrong in a situation like this.

Cardew

spiro wrote: »

Sorry to disagree Cardew but the supplier's meter operator is responsible for installing the meter and connecting it to the consumer unit or a cutout by the consumer unit. He will have had to be provided with a certificate for each property he connects. Most meter workers will check basic things like lights go on/off once the supply is live. If they do this they should realise their records are wrong in a situation like this.

I bought a new build flat in London(Converted warehouse in Docklands). The electrical contractor produced to the developer certificates for each flat that they complied with the regulations. These were handed over when the Residents association assumed responsibility.

The meters were labelled with the flat No and centrally located(as happens in many flats).

The Electricity supply company would(presumably) have checked that the certificates were in order and that would have been sufficient evidence.

I realise this is your field, but I doubt that a meter reader had the responsibility to double check on a qualified electrical contractor.

spiro

Cardew wrote: »

I realise this is your field, but I doubt that a meter reader had the responsibility to double check on a qualified electrical contractor.

I said Meter Worker (guy/gal who fits meter) not Meter Reader.

I think the lesson from these recent threads about 'crossed meters' is when you buy/move into a flat or something similar that you find the meter, follow the cable to the consumer unit, turn off the power at the consumer unit and check the power is off in your property. If you find the power is not off you have a problem which is best sorted out before you move in if possible, especially for a rented property.

Scottish_Power

Hi Happymoo

Sorry to hear about the billing issues that you and your neighbour have been experiencing.

ScottishPower are responsible for billing you accurately for the electricity you consume within your property. If we have been billing you incorrectly, we are only entitled to back bill the account for a period of 1-year. This ensures that we comply with the Energy Retail Associations code of Practice for Accurate Billing.

If you PM me your details I can look into your account and provide you with further information.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower

Chrysalis

spiro wrote: »

I said Meter Worker (guy/gal who fits meter) not Meter Reader.

I think the lesson from these recent threads about 'crossed meters' is when you buy/move into a flat or something similar that you find the meter, follow the cable to the consumer unit, turn off the power at the consumer unit and check the power is off in your property. If you find the power is not off you have a problem which is best sorted out before you move in if possible, especially for a rented property.

those who read my recent thread will know exactly why I thanked you.

I almost had to pay £800 odd due to a meter mix up.