NPower catch up bill - over £2000 -HELP

pinky41182

Hi,

This is my first ever post on here because I need help.

We moved into a small 2 bed flat in September 2008 and had no access to our meter for a long time. We received estimated bills from NPower which were always paid on time.

Around 4 months ago we received a letter saying that we needed to give them a meter reading. I managed to gain a meter reading and phoned to give them this however they would not take it from me as the account is registered in my partners name. I nagged him to do it and then just forgot about it.

Yesterday we received a bill for £2300 saying that they had come and taken a meter reading and that is what we owed. We simply cannot afford this and to make matters worse I am 4 months pregnant and likely to be out of a job very soon.

My partner spoke to NPower who said that he could spread the cost over 12 months. This is still in excess of £300 a month and we cant afford this.

I know that this is our fault for not giving a meter reading so please dont leave lots of comments telling me this. What I am hoping for is any advise as to what we can do from here. I am worried sick and didnt sleep at all last night. I would really appreciate any assistance.

Many thanks

dogshome

Hi pinky41182 - From your post I assume that you are in an all electric flat with ECO 7 storage radiators

From Sept 08 till now, you have run thro' the best part of two expensive winter periods which could easily run up £2,300 bill, however it would be worth reading the meter now to check the end reading on the bill makes sense. But phone n'power and politely try to negotiate a longer repayment period - the alternative is that they will fit a key meter.

If you do indeed have storage radiators and electric hot water, there are things you can do to save money -
That 2nd bedroom? If you are only using it for storage why heat it?
The Hot Water - If you have an electric shower you only need a small amount of hot water for washing up etc, so set the tank to produce a small amount at a lower temperature
Good Luck

Mrs_Thrify

pinky41182 wrote: »

Hi,

This is my first ever post on here because I need help.

We moved into a small 2 bed flat in September 2008 and had no access to our meter for a long time. We received estimated bills from NPower which were always paid on time.

Around 4 months ago we received a letter saying that we needed to give them a meter reading. I managed to gain a meter reading and phoned to give them this however they would not take it from me as the account is registered in my partners name. I nagged him to do it and then just forgot about it.

Yesterday we received a bill for £2300 saying that they had come and taken a meter reading and that is what we owed. We simply cannot afford this and to make matters worse I am 4 months pregnant and likely to be out of a job very soon.

My partner spoke to NPower who said that he could spread the cost over 12 months. This is still in excess of £300 a month and we cant afford this.

I know that this is our fault for not giving a meter reading so please dont leave lots of comments telling me this. What I am hoping for is any advise as to what we can do from here. I am worried sick and didnt sleep at all last night. I would really appreciate any assistance.

Many thanks

Hello Pinky, it sounds like you are in a rented flat, am I right?
You have got your selfs in trouble by not watching the bills. Sometimes you have to hit the bottom of a hole before you can pick your self up and starting an action plan. Comming on here and asking for help is a leap forward.

As you have both used the fuel it has now to be paid for. Phoning NPower was a good start. Could you check with landlord or yourselfs if owner that you are on the best tarraf for your needs.

I think you need to follow the motto from now on that if you switch it on you start paying so cut down on electric. Try cooking with a slow cooker.
Every little thing you turn off or heating down saves the pennies.

pinky41182

Thanks Julie and Dogs home. Yes we are in a rented flat and yes it is only electric and we do have storage heaters.

We have just been very silly and I suppose it will be the kick up the bum we probably needed.

Your energy saving tips are helpful and i am sure we will now think about every single thing we turn on and make sure we turn it off.

I think we will work out exactly how much a month we can pay and then phone npower back to see if we can arrange something. We could probably afford £100 a month so hopefully they would accept that.

Thank you

spiro

Have you now sorted out access to the meter? Ideally you want to read the meter weekly so you know how much you are using and therefore how much you next bill is going to be.

pinky41182

We have now sorted access to the meter and I have set a reminder once a week to read it.

Just a thought, but do you think it is worth me complaining to say that I dont think with the size of our flat and the amount of appliances that we have that it would be in any way possible to run up a bill of that sum in that amount of time?? I know that npower are likely to say that as we didnt give a meter reading, we cant prove we have not used it.

Just wondered what your thoughts are?

duggo1

pinky41182 wrote: »

We have now sorted access to the meter and I have set a reminder once a week to read it.

Just a thought, but do you think it is worth me complaining to say that I dont think with the size of our flat and the amount of appliances that we have that it would be in any way possible to run up a bill of that sum in that amount of time?? I know that npower are likely to say that as we didnt give a meter reading, we cant prove we have not used it.

Just wondered what your thoughts are?

Did you not read the meter when you moved in?

If you didn't then there is no way to prove or disprove the amount of power you have used.

betterlife

hi would it be worth asking them to fit key meters, this way you could pay wkly for you current usage and they normally take a couple pound a wk for your arrears. you normally dont pay for the use of the meters and most companys use a normal tarriff mught be worth a phone call good luck .