Scottish Power HELP!

Blaz

Me and my girl share our own place, admittedly im we're still new at dealing with things like this. Our flat has a 'combi' boiler and no gas everything is electrical. When we moved in we were told that this boiler was going to be very expensive to run. For this reason we never have hot water in our flat as it means turning the boiler on, the only sacrifice being no baths. We never have the Electric radiators on or nothing.

Anyway due to financial difficulties we've missed a few payments from like last March, the thing is despite us not using hot water and making as many cut backs as possible Scottish Power still want us to pay £100+ per month, so we now owe them over £500+!! My dad is married to my step mum and my 3 younger step brothers all live there, its a big house with lights and computers and TVs on in every room!! yet his bill doesnt even come to £50 a month!! Im sickened by Scottish Power ripping us off despite all our efforts to cut back!

We have tried meter readings online but never get anywhere with them. So is it possible for us to change supplier? Is there anything we can say to Scottish power to get them to behave and give us a reasonable bill!?? Im jus looking for some general advice really.

Cheers!

Premier_2

The amount you are expected to pay will be based on your anticipated annual usage plus the repayment of any accrued debt.

How much electricity do you actually use? In kWh as registered by your meter.

What is the annual cost of this based on your current tariff?

Are you repaying any accrued debt? If so how much per month?

If you still don't think you are paying the appropriate monthy amount, contact your supplier and ask them to investigate/advise/revise.

Like anyone, they are only human and are liable to making the odd mistake which if you haven't informed them of, will probably remain undetected. It's not a rip off. If you are paying more than necessary, your account will be accruing credit, money that is yours and which you can ask to be returned.

spiro

1) Are you bills based on A'ctual' or E'stimated' readings, you tell this by looking at the letter after the reading.
2) If all the bills are based on Actual you have used the fuel and there is nothing you can do but investigate what is using the power and that the correct meter is assigned to your flat.
3) If previous bills have been based on Estimates and the latest is based on an Actual then this is a catch up bill. This will have been caused by you receiving previous estimated bills and not phoning your supplier with the current reading.
4) No you can't swap supplier while you have an outstanding debt.

Blaz

I jus checked the bill it is an estimate, pretty high estimate though considering we live in a 2 bedroomed flat and have no children or nothing. My girlfriend has twice in the past done a meter reading but the bill never changes, like they dont acknowledge we've sent them one.

I know nothing about meter readings to be honest, any tips on what the most important numbers are how we can figure out ourselves what we're using etc.

spiro

Blaz wrote: »

I jus checked the bill it is an estimate, pretty high estimate though considering we live in a 2 bedroomed flat and have no children or nothing. My girlfriend has twice in the past done a meter reading but the bill never changes, like they dont acknowledge we've sent them one.

I know nothing about meter readings to be honest, any tips on what the most important numbers are how we can figure out ourselves what we're using etc.

You ignore any number that as 1/10ths against it. Is the meter like to trip meter in your car or a series of 'clock dials'?

If the reading on the bill is a lot higher than that on your meter, phone your supplier with the reading and ask them to rebill you using the current reading.

Blaz

spiro wrote: »

You ignore any number that as 1/10ths against it. Is the meter like to trip meter in your car or a series of 'clock dials'?

If the reading on the bill is a lot higher than that on your meter, phone your supplier with the reading and ask them to rebill you using the current reading.

Ive jus checked the back of the bill and it says "thankyou for providing us with a meter reading your bill is accurate tp this point" !!!!!! We dont even use hot water for f**ks sake! im baffled how 4 months of missed payments can mean £505!!

it also says on the bill
Economy7: Night Start End Units Price(kWh@p) Total
14270C 143o8E 38 38@5.336 £2.03
Economy7: Day Start End Units Price(kWh@p) Total
20158C 20216E 58 58@13.472 £7.81
Standing CHarge 4Days@22.010 £0.88
Total £10.72


So is this rate expensive???

[Deleted User]

Hi,

this is an estimated bill for 4 days, £10.72, the numbers with the C are for the readings you supplied, and the numbers with the E are estimated.

Have a look here about reading your meter, click the two rate meter.

macman

The closing readings you have quoted above are estimated (hence the 'E' after the figures), so as already advised you need to read your meters and supply up to date actual readings to SP, they will then normally send a revised bill in a few days.
Sounds like your issue is that you have large arrears which are of course now driving up your monthly DD to recover them, not surprising if you've not paid anything for four months.
Of your bill of £505, how much is arrears and how much monthly consumption?Suggest you record your weekly consumption and then you can easily calculate what your ongoing cost is.

Blaz

macman wrote: »

The closing readings you have quoted above are estimated (hence the 'E' after the figures), so as already advised you need to read your meters and supply up to date actual readings to SP, they will then normally send a revised bill in a few days.
Sounds like your issue is that you have large arrears which are of course now driving up your monthly DD to recover them, not surprising if you've not paid anything for four months.
Of your bill of £505, how much is arrears and how much monthly consumption?Suggest you record your weekly consumption and then you can easily calculate what your ongoing cost is.

Hmm so because we've missed a few payments, theyre charging us for not paying on time? Im certain she told me our monthly plan was £45 .. but that means we should only owe £200ish not £500!! Surely they cant be charging us that mych for getting in arrears!

macman

They're not charging you for getting into arrears, they're charging you an increased monthly amount in order to recover those arrears presumably. If you agreed £45pm and have now missed 4 months, then they're not going to carry on charging £45, as you have added £180 to your arrears. Is the other £320 your existing arrears maybe?
It will be quite clear from your bill how much you are paying for ongoing consumption and how much is arrears.
But since your bills are apparently estimated, what you need to do first is work out what you actually owe by reading your meters and assessing your ongoing consumption. Then you can start working out a feasible repayment plan.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Blaz wrote: »

Hmm so because we've missed a few payments, theyre charging us for not paying on time? Im certain she told me our monthly plan was £45 .. but that means we should only owe £200ish not £500!! Surely they cant be charging us that mych for getting in arrears!

but you've still got to pay towards your future use.