Moved into new house. Disputed meter reading. Help!

michael1234

Hi

Just moved into a new house on Dec 13 and provided the existing dual fuel suppler (edf energy) of the meter reading on the day we moved in.

Despite giving my name etc to register with them, I received today a bill at the property addressed to the occupier for a bill for 1 days usage covering the day we moved in to the day after. It said they we'd used about £70 worth of gas and £25 worth of electricty in one day based upon their "actual reading" taken dec 13 and a "customer reading" (my reading actually taken also on the 13) that they put was taken on the 14.

Does this mean the previous occupiers have supplied an incorrect reading to make me pay for some weeks of their fuel and why does it say "actual reading". It must not be true that there was an "actual reading" from the supplier because I took my reading on the 13 too and I know the numbers that I wrote down were correct.

I was just thinking of just swallowing this and paying up but I don't see why I should ? Is there anything I can do?

Tupperware_Queen

sounds like the previous occupants last reading and your first dont match.....not your problem, ring them up, you only have to pay from when you moved in.

common problem, esp if rented house, and estate agent has been turning lights on etc when showing people around

Tupperware_Queen

or the previous occupants were just trying it on.....either way, not your problem!!

michael1234

Many thanks for reply but yes I shouldn't be paying for someone else trying it on. It was a house purchase and I know the previous owner did have financial issues but it doesn't seem fair that I should pay for their usage.

What I'm most worried about is if comes down to me proving that that the readings I took were correct (they were). DO I have to prove that they were as stated on that day or do they have to prove that they were not?

Tupperware_Queen

you took the readings, and unless there is a huge discrepancy, they should take your word for it. If I were you, I'd take regular readings, so if necessary you can demonstrate an average usage over a period of a few weeks.

I may be a bit sad, but have got into the habit of reading gas and electric meters on a sunday night, to give myself a clear indication of usage....I have just been moved off prepayment meters after a house move - I did this as I really couldn't beleive how much it was costing me ....but in fact the charges were correct!!

spiro

I would contact them and point out that you moved in on 13th and that the Customer Own Read is for that date.

Doing this will mean you are not liable. You need to remember that 'actual' reads can in fact be 'coffee shop' reads - they got this nickname because that was were the meter reader was when he 'took' the reading.