eon - charging commercial elec charges

callac

Hi

I've got the unfortunate situation of owning a pub that's closed due to business failure.

E-On have been charging commercial rate for their electricity even though the business closed in 2006.

In 2007 the building was taken off the rating system because of change of use on part of it and it is undergoing 'substantial changes'.

The only electricity used is for domestic purposes. The supply is used for a static caravan while work is being carried out.

A recent meter reading means I'm facing a bill of £1700. I am sure given the much higher commercial costs over a number of years this bill can be brought down.

Eon claim they cannot accept this is a domestic supply because the caravan does not have a 'council tax' reference for there system.

Has anyone else dealt with this mad unfair situation where commercial rates are being charged where the building is not rated as anything and it has been for domestic purposes.

This is a bizare and it seems very unfair situation where the computer says 'no' but as an elephant rule this is clearly not commercial use of electricity!!! The commercial part of the building has no electricity supply at all as they've been taken out and the building is empty.

Comments/advice most welcome... I'm a single mum on min wage as a carer.

Jubbs

Its a tough one

Utility companies can only go off Council Tax references to determine whether a supply is for business or domestic use.

Is the caravan running off the domestic supply? Has the pubs supply been completely disconnected?

The other thing i would recommend is writing to E.on rather than ringing them if you havent already done so.

Include evidence of the business no longer operating and the domestic council tax for the domestic supply.

Sorry if i have not made any sense - let me know if there is anything i can do.

spiro

The classification of domestic or no domestic is a declaration by the customer of what the majority (over 50%) fuel is being used for.
Did you have 2 council tax references for the property; 1 for downstairs (pub) and 1 for upstairs (accomodation)? This should make it easier to prove the pub is not operating and therefore using fuel.

Be warned though that with business fuel you pay higher VAT but because you are typically on a fixed term contract the kwh price can be lower.

JasX

I'd have thought small scale domestic customers would pay more per kWH than business users who'd use a greater volume.

What rate per kWH are you currently paying at 'commercial' rates. have you compared it to their current 'consumer' rates? what standing charge and/or hogher rates are you paying currently?

Andy_WSM

JasX wrote: »

I'd have thought small scale domestic customers would pay more per kWH than business users who'd use a greater volume.

What rate per kWH are you currently paying at 'commercial' rates. have you compared it to their current 'consumer' rates? what standing charge and/or hogher rates are you paying currently?

I don't know about the unit prices, but business customers pay a higher rate of VAT 17.5% as opposed 5% for domestic.

Need to Op to post his unit prices to know if it's going to be worth his while pursuing - he may end up worse off!