Switching - how long do ex suppliers get to keep overpayment cash for?

JasX

Are there any regulations governing how long a previous energy supplier gets to sit on money they owe back in overpayments after someone has switched away from them and is no longer a customer?

I switched away from Npower and my supply was moved to my new supplier in March, I'm now all setup with my new provider, have online access to my account and can see confirmed initial readings.

Npower have my final readings, I'm a good few hundred pounds in credit with them but having just got off the phone with them understand they plan to hang on to this money for the next 40 days ?!? :mad:

They can give no explanation for doing so beyond 'company policy', did I misss something in the small print? what rights do energy companies have to hold cash sums from ex-customers earning interest for themselves for arbitary periods of time?

anyone?

kjsmith7

Usually, when a final bill is sent, moneys will be returned shortly after that. It can take up to 28 days from when you leave to generate a final bill, longer if your gas pipes are maintained by an independent gas transporter or IGT (your MPRN/supply number will start with 74xxxx or 75xxxx in most instances) - check an old gas bill. HTH!