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Wrong meter reading by E-ON - do I have to pay that?
kirsty2010_2
Posts: 16 Forumite
in Energy
Hi,
Last summer E-ON did a totally wrong (too low) meter reading for our flatshare and due to that mistake paid us back 450£ (at that time, I did not know which of the many meters was ours, because I could not find the tiny number). I could therefore not check the reading and thought it probably was right, because our bills regularly were high indeed.
For over 6 months after that we did not receive a single bill except for one of 11£(!), even though I had called in to ask about the new bill. Nearly one year after the errand meter reading, we received a bill of 850£, because E-ON eventually was able to sort that they had make a mistake - but now are demanding that we pay back the entire amount of their wrong reading plus all outstanding meter reading for a period of far over 6 months in which they have not provided us with a bill.
We have not been offered a single p of discount despite of their grave mistake. Are we required to pay all of that back or are E-ON's mistakes in their own liability?
Many thanks for advise and suggestions!
Last summer E-ON did a totally wrong (too low) meter reading for our flatshare and due to that mistake paid us back 450£ (at that time, I did not know which of the many meters was ours, because I could not find the tiny number). I could therefore not check the reading and thought it probably was right, because our bills regularly were high indeed.
For over 6 months after that we did not receive a single bill except for one of 11£(!), even though I had called in to ask about the new bill. Nearly one year after the errand meter reading, we received a bill of 850£, because E-ON eventually was able to sort that they had make a mistake - but now are demanding that we pay back the entire amount of their wrong reading plus all outstanding meter reading for a period of far over 6 months in which they have not provided us with a bill.
We have not been offered a single p of discount despite of their grave mistake. Are we required to pay all of that back or are E-ON's mistakes in their own liability?
Many thanks for advise and suggestions!
0
Comments
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Yes (sorry).
The only thing you're not liable for is something you haven't used.0 -
Hi kirsty2010, and welcome to MSE :hello:
Even if you were to argue the 12 month back billing rule applied, the supplier still has 12 months in which to bill you.
You are liable therefore for all the consumption measured by the meter (assuming it is not faulty) whilst you were the account holder at the appropriate rate."Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 20100 -
Hi kirsty
I'm sorry we used a wrong meter reading to bill your account last summer. It sounds as though there may have been a mix up with the meters at your block of flats.
This can happen when there are multiple meters in a central area.
Make sure the meter we are billing to is the one actually supplying your flat.
The meter serial number we have registered at your address will be printed on your bills. Check this is the one recording your usage.
One way of doing this is to take a reading and then use something which takes a lot of energy, like a kettle. Check the meter again and it should have moved.
If it has not moved, it is likely we have not corrected the metering and you need to let us know asap.
If the meter has moved, then we will be billing to the correct meter.
Give us a call if you have any difficulties with this or are unsure about your metering. We can arrange for someone to call to check out your set up.
Once you are sure the metering is ok, check the revised bill is based on actual rather than estimated readings.
Should we be using estimated readings, let us know of any actual readings you may have as this will increase the accuracy of the bill.
We are able to use estimates in the absence of actual readings.
As energy has been used you will, therefore, be liable for the charges. However, we will not expect you to pay this all in one go.
Ask for a payment arrangement to spread the balance over a more manageable period. We will be happy to do this for you.
Again, I'm sorry we started off billing you incorrectly but hope this points you in the right direction. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be glad to help.
Malc“Official Company Representative
I am an official company representative of E.ON. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE"0 -
Malc,
Please confirm too, that as this is a flat share, the error may go way back before the current tenants ie it is likely that their opening meter reading was too low. So as part of your review, you would revise the opening reading to account for this - ie that EON would not expect the current tenants to make up any shortfall on previous tenants billing.Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam0 -
Hi DVS
You're right, if this is a meter mix up, the problem could well go back longer than the current tenant has been responsible. In which case, we would certainly need to look at the opening meter reading.
I can also confirm; we would not expect the current tenant to make up any shortfall involving bills for previous tenants.
Malc“Official Company Representative
I am an official company representative of E.ON. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE"0 -
To be fair, assuming that the sum now billed is all for your own actual consumption I don't think you should necessarily expect a discount (you may even have already gained an interest free £450 loan). It wouldn't however be unreasonable for you to ask for time to pay under the circumstances if you now genuinely don't have the money to clear it.0
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hi,
many thanks! i already started to pay off most of the charges and now at least dont have to ask myself if i really have to do this!? indeed, e-on gave me more time to pay it off and even though there have been changes in the tenancy, i have been there since the time of the wrong reading. thanks a lot for all the replies.0
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