Large discrepency between estimated readings and actual meter reading

TheMoneyPit_3

We get our electricity and gas through EDF, now around 18 months ago we had some building work done.

One of the !!!!-ups the builder made was to brick up the doorway to the meter cupboard with a view to moving the door around the corner. However due to issues we had with his attitude and workmanship he never returned and we subsequently had a small legal battle with him (which we eventually won).

The end result was that our electricity meter and circuit breakers were bricked up. I figured this wasn't a problem as we were paying our estimated bills on a regular basis and that they seemed reasonably in keeping with our previous usage.

Having finally settled our legal dispute we got in another builder to finish the job properly and the cupboard was reopened (albeit into a different room).

I received a note from EDF a few days ago requesting a customer reading, and having grabbed our previous bill I went to check the meter. It appears we have been seriously underpaying for the past 18 months.

There is a deficit of just under 14000KW/h between what we have paid for and the actual reading which equates to nearly £2,500.

Now I've no doubt we used the electricity (the builders probably used this just running their kettle), but at this point in time I have absolutely no way of repaying this lump sum and we are currently on a seriously reduced income as I have had no work for over two month (self-employed) so I'd have very little to offer in terms of increased monthly payments.

To be blunt having dealt with EDF's customer services before I'm certain their attitude will be to decline a 'reasonable' payment increase and send it straight to court/collection. We made a late gas payment a few months back and they threatened court/collection and the imposition of a pre-payment meter. We scraped the cash together and made the payment and they subsequently read our meter and sent us a revised bill which put us £160 in credit!!!

It's worth noting that in the 18 months, we have had no attempt to read our meter (just as well really, "go on mate, you can read it if you can find it..."). All we've had is a letter announcing that they have gone from using a 3rd party to read meters back to using their own EDF staff.

What sort of response should we expect? If there was a chance of a drop in the KW/h charge I'd be tempted to hold out for a few weeks and put it through at a lower rate ;-)

Regards,
TH.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

If the £2,500 debt built up over 18 months, I would expect them them to let you repay over 18 months(as a goodwill gesture)

However 'just under 14,000 kWh' should not equate to £2500. That is approx 18p/kWh. Are you sure you are not using the tier 1 rate?

Premier_2

TheMoneyPit wrote: »

...To be blunt having dealt with EDF's customer services before I'm certain their attitude will be to decline a 'reasonable' payment increase and send it straight to court/collection. We made a late gas payment a few months back and they threatened court/collection and the imposition of a pre-payment meter. We scraped the cash together and made the payment and they subsequently read our meter and sent us a revised bill which put us £160 in credit!!!....

They don't need to go to court to install a PPM ... only if you force them to, the charges for which will be added to any existing debt.

Best to contact them and try and negotiate some mutually agreeable solution.

£2500 extra over 18 months is quite a big debt - it alone is about twice the national average usage and then there's what you have been paying. How much were you paying per quarter on average?

KimYeovil

You are one thousand pounds out on your estimate. Even on a standard tariff 14000 units are not going to cost much more than £1500.

DVardysShadow

Cardew wrote: »

... If the £2,500 debt built up over 18 months, I would expect them them to let you repay over 18 months(as a goodwill gesture)

Normally I too would expect this. But because actual readings have not been possible due to the customer rather than the utility, don't be surprised if you get knocked back on this. [OK, it is the builder's fault, but quite rightly as far as the utility are concerned, it is the customer's builder]

Fire_Fox

How have you used that much electricity over and above what you have already paid for, when you have gas in the property?? Isn't that 25 KWH per day, are you sure there isn't a fault?

spiro

Whatever you do, bear in mind that within the next 6 months they have to read the meter themselves to comply with industry rules.
I agree that the amount you have underpaid should be nearer £1500 that £2500. If you have gas that amount alone would cover average usage, so how much have you already paid in the 18 months?

moo842

have you thought of applying to EDF for a grant? they can help you cover some or all of the arrears, get down to your local CAB who can help you apply.
You will need to supply a full finacial statement, and an outline of why you got into this debt.
They look on each case individually so you never know.