I've been getting free electricity for 2 years – am I liable?

KTP1_2

When I bought my flat I tried to register with the energy supplier mentioned by the people I bought the flat off but the energy company had no record of the meter.
From what I recall they gave me the phone number of an organisation who could identify the energy company – the woman when I rang this number was dismayed to learn that the meter was not registered.
I decided to see what would happen – for two years nothing did. No bills - but the electricity kept coming.
The flat is one of two made out of what was until six years ago a Victorian house.
A few days ago I found a letter, in the communal hallway, addressed to the other flat but to a name I didn’t recognise(possibly the owner during conversion six years ago),
Marked with the energy company’s name and a Do Not Ignore warning.
The letter quoted an account number and said there was no meter registered against it.
So the account seems to be identified as belonging to the other flat.
For some reason they suddenly realise no one has paid the bill for probably six years since the building was converted into flats.
They asked if the meter had been disconnected, asked the date(implying that they would like to be paid up to this date) and suggested removing the meter if it is no longer in use.
What is a concern is if I don't reply they could cut off supplies at any moment.
If I do they may want the full six years from me rather than just the two I’ve been the owner when I've had the electric heaters on full blast.
Would I be legally obliged to pay for six years, two years or at all?
Does the fact the account is with the other flat make a difference?
The couple I bought the flat off didn’t leave a forwarding address.
Could I just switch the meter to a different supplier and start afresh or alternatively, could I just get a new meter installed and register with a different supplier?

achtunglady

We had a similar situation, moved in, no meter, we contacted Transgas who installed one. Three months later no bill, so we rang up British Gas who said there was no record of a meter at the address, rang up again 3 months after that, again no record of a meter at the address, we rang up every three months until a year had passed, then we decide to change suppliers and suddenly they realise there is a meter at the address and want to charge us a whole years gas in one bill payable in one payment. So my husband says well you took us a year to bill us so you can wait a year for your payment, we arranged payment at £10 a month and when the debt was paid we changed suppliers.

Perhaps get in touch with them saying you have just moved in??

Premier_2

Are you absolutely certain the site is what is called unregistered?

You should check yourself:
How to identify your electricity supplier


If it really is unregistered, this post may be useful to you

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=22813415&postcount=6

Either way, you should be able to restrict any liability to 2 years as long as you can prove you were not responsible for the premises prior to that time.

spiro

You made a limited attempt 2 years ago to find out who your supplier was therefore it is unlikely that the 12 month back bill code will apply.

You will be liable for the fuel you have used since you moved in.

When you bought the flat was a record taken of the meter reading at the time because you will need this to act as the opening reading for yuor account.

Also you say the letter was addressed to the 'other flat', did they tell you what it said because it will be them that needs to speak to the supplier as the residents. They will have to explain when they moved in and maybe they know the name on the letter.

undaunted

You are not liable for the last 6 years but as has been said are quite rightly liable for what you have chosen to use. How you will now establish the meter reading 6 years ago I'm not so certain. Unless the meter is publicly accessible they won't be able to cut it off without a warrant & either way you are likely to receive some notice. It shouldn't have been allowed to happen (by either party) but it has. Therefore, without wishing to be rude, now that they are onto your game, you need to stop chancing your luck & get this sorted out properly.

KTP1_2

Thanks for your replies

achtunglady wrote: »

then we decide to change suppliers and suddenly they realise there is a meter at the address and want to charge us a whole years gas in one bill payable in one payment. ...Perhaps get in touch with them saying you have just moved in??

Why did you switch supplier? You could hardly get a better deal than the one you already had?

If I tell them I have just moved in they may require evidence of this?

KTP1_2

spiro wrote: »

You made a limited attempt 2 years ago to find out who your supplier was therefore it is unlikely that the 12 month back bill code will apply.

You will be liable for the fuel you have used since you moved in.

When you bought the flat was a record taken of the meter reading at the time because you will need this to act as the opening reading for yuor account.

Also you say the letter was addressed to the 'other flat', did they tell you what it said because it will be them that needs to speak to the supplier as the residents. They will have to explain when they moved in and maybe they know the name on the letter.

Sounds good if they only issue a bill from the time I contact them.

What is the ‘12 month back bill code’ – not being eligible means I will be expected to pay all of it in one go?

No I don’t think the site is unregistered – it is wrongly registered against another flat in the building. The same energy company mentioned by the previous owners sent the letter saying they were supplying electricity.


No record was taken of the meter when I moved in – so how will they determine how much of the total from the past six years I should pay. Is there anyway I can dispute this?

The account is wrongly registered against my neighbours’ flat but it is my own flat that is getting the free electricity. The neighbours have been here a shorter time than me – they do not know the name the letter is addressed to.

Have I definitely been rumbled? If I do nothing presumably they will eventually cut off supply?

spiro

KTP1 wrote: »

Thanks for your replies

Why did you switch supplier? You could hardly get a better deal than the one you already had?

If I tell them I have just moved in they may require evidence of this?

By switching supplier you have told the industry that someone lives in the property.

You were not paying not you have 'put your head above the parapit' so they industry know about the fact someone was living there.

The will check numerous records to determine whne you moved in, they wont just take you word for it.

spiro

KTP1 wrote: »

Sounds good if they only issue a bill from the time I contact them.

What is the ‘12 month back bill code’ – not being eligible means I will be expected to pay all of it in one go?

No I don’t think the site is unregistered – it is wrongly registered against another flat in the building. The same energy company mentioned by the previous owners sent the letter saying they were supplying electricity.


No record was taken of the meter when I moved in – so how will they determine how much of the total from the past six years I should pay. Is there anyway I can dispute this?

The account is wrongly registered against my neighbours’ flat but it is my own flat that is getting the free electricity. The neighbours have been here a shorter time than me – they do not know the name the letter is addressed to.

Have I definitely been rumbled? If I do nothing presumably they will eventually cut off supply?

You have been runbled, you have not made any real effort to advise the supplir youy live there. You will be liable for everything that you have used, regardless of how far this goes back. You will have to agree a repayment plan or they will fit a ppm.

There is no such thing as a free lunch or free elec.

KTP1_2

could I just get a new meter installed and register with a different supplier?

Joyful

No is the answer to your question.

Take a meter read now and and keep an idea of how many units you are using daily. This may allow them to use these figures to determine a start read. They will want to see a Tenancy agreement to prove when you moved in also.

Make sure you contact the company ASAP otherwise you may find it goes to court and you are charged costs.