paying neighbours bill

tanyam_2

Hi,
I would be extremely grateful for any advice on this matter.
I live (own) a flat in a set of 6 flats. I have been living there for 3 yrs now. I used to switch the suppliers but did not see any difference in bill. I didnt take much notice of it.
Recently a new tenant moved in opposite flat. She noted that her meter was running even when she was not in. So she switched the main supplier button off and ---- surprize- surprize- my flats electricity went off.
I can only conclude that I have been paying somebody else's bills and they have been paying mine.
Can anybody advice what should i/ we do to sort it out!!!!
Thanks in advance
TY

Cardew

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2023899

spiro

First thing to do is turn yours off and see if she has no power. If thats the case then it is relatively straight forward as there are only two properties involved. If hers does not go off I would suggest that between you try and do this for all flats. Once all those involved know whose meter is supply whose flat you should compose a letter including the following information; your MPAN (bottom line of S number on bill), meter serial number from bill, serial number of the meter that is actually supplying your flat and the MPAN from that persons bill. If only the 2 of you are involved then when you write to your supplier attach a copy of the persons letter to their supplier, this should speed up the whole process.

The situation you are in is referred to 'crossed meters'.

Premier_2

tanyam wrote: »

Hi,
I would be extremely grateful for any advice on this matter.
I live (own) a flat in a set of 6 flats. I have been living there for 3 yrs now. I used to switch the suppliers but did not see any difference in bill. I didnt take much notice of it.
Recently a new tenant moved in opposite flat. She noted that her meter was running even when she was not in. So she switched the main supplier button off and ---- surprize- surprize- my flats electricity went off.
I can only conclude that I have been paying somebody else's bills and they have been paying mine.
Can anybody advice what should i/ we do to sort it out!!!!
Thanks in advance
TY

Have you contacted your supplier?

It's surprisingly common that meters are cross-read to properties, particularly in flat developments where meters are often grouped together.

tanyam_2

checked out last night.

our meters are cross wired - ie on switching off my meter- her flat's supply is switched off and vice versa

I am gutted- these flats are only 3 yrs old- I am on owner from new and didnt realize it till now.

I am hoping that the builder should pay getting it corrected

any advice

spiro

tanyam wrote: »

checked out last night.

our meters are cross wired - ie on switching off my meter- her flat's supply is switched off and vice versa

I am gutted- these flats are only 3 yrs old- I am on owner from new and didnt realize it till now.

I am hoping that the builder should pay getting it corrected

any advice

The metering is nothing to do with the builder. Both of you need to contact your suppliers and details was is happening. They will both need to send out meter worker to confirm wiring and which meter is on which MPAN and which flat. Ideally I suggest the two of you liase and try and get both workers there at the same time.

Premier_2

tanyam wrote: »

...
I am hoping that the builder should pay getting it corrected

any advice

It's nothing to do with the builder ... and there shouldn't be any charge to correct the situation.
There's no rewiring or anything - it's just an administrative correction.

tanyam_2

Do i have to pay the outstanding balance????

the meter which is linked to my flat has 2000 units more. I suppose when they switch the meters- obviously- my supplier will ask me to pay more.

I wish I am wrong

allan673

about £220? for 2000 elec units on meter/metric . think they can only back bill for 1 year.

Chrysalis

spiro wrote: »

First thing to do is turn yours off and see if she has no power. If thats the case then it is relatively straight forward as there are only two properties involved. If hers does not go off I would suggest that between you try and do this for all flats. Once all those involved know whose meter is supply whose flat you should compose a letter including the following information; your MPAN (bottom line of S number on bill), meter serial number from bill, serial number of the meter that is actually supplying your flat and the MPAN from that persons bill. If only the 2 of you are involved then when you write to your supplier attach a copy of the persons letter to their supplier, this should speed up the whole process.

The situation you are in is referred to 'crossed meters'.

If I think back to my situation, it would be a case of ringing the supplier and giving them the new serial #.

They should then update the bill appropriately and in theory its a simple process.

What might make it more complicated is (a) they see the same serial used for another account so the change is rejected by their systems and (b) how they calculate the change in balance and meter reading, I would expect them to treat the new reading as if you just moved in so a fresh start, the harder bit is what to do with the current balance owed especially if the correct meter shows less usage.

In my case 3 months of readings were taken of the correct meter and my previous bills were adjusted to estimate the same usage.