Gas Meter Point Reference Number inverted with neighbours

moneypenny73

Hi all, please can anyone shed any light?!!

During a gas supply transfer from British Gas to Eon late last year, it came to light that my MPR (meter point reference) was inverted with my neighbour's when the house was built 10 years ago & the meters and gas supplies were set up. As I change supplier about every 2 years it means that none of the 3 suppliers I've had since I've lived here have actually supplied me gas - they were supplying my neighbour! They say that they have been reading the correct meter and have been charged themselves for the gas they supplied me from National Grid so therefore they do not need to refund me.

My arguement is that they have not actually supplied goods or services to me but to my neighbour and none of them were astute enough (unlike Eon) to pick up the error so should refund me. Apparently this mistake does happen occasionally but its more common for meter numbers to be inverted. I cannot seem to find any information regarding MPR inversion errors online, only about meter number inversion errors so would be very grateful to hear from anyone who knows anything about this or has experienced it themselves

Thanks very much

4$£&*(£$&*(!

Is there a big difference between the two readings then? I am pleased it has been sorted, however if I am reading your post correctly (please tell me if I have got this wrong) it seems that you want a refund of everything you have paid regardless of what you have used?

If this goes to dispute you still have to pay for what you have used. I am interested to know how it gets sorted out though, do you know what is going to happen?

Joyful

Who got the higher bills- you or the neighbour ?

moneypenny73

CitySlicker wrote: »

Is there a big difference between the two readings then? I am pleased it has been sorted, however if I am reading your post correctly (please tell me if I have got this wrong) it seems that you want a refund of everything you have paid regardless of what you have used?

If this goes to dispute you still have to pay for what you have used. I am interested to know how it gets sorted out though, do you know what is going to happen?

Hi CitySlicker, thanks for your interest :-) There is a massive difference, my neighbour's reading is almost twice mine! I have serious concerns that in addition to the inversion of the supply numbers, that the wrong meter has been read as British Gas have now admitted that they have my property listed by Plot Number & wrong house number. My first supplier, Scottish Gas, refunded me without any quibble as soon as the issue was brought to their attention. It wasn't a massive amount of money (under £200) as it was quite a long time ago but I have spent over £800 each with N Power & British Gas.

What I am trying to establish is what is the protocol in this situation? Is there any legislation around it? I appreciate that the error was made either by wrong info being provided by the house builder when the properties were registered or by an operative at ESP but that's not my fault and is something they could take up with ESP. What is fair is for me to be refunded by NP & BG and for me to agree a payment to Scottish & Southern who have actually been supplying me for the last 7 years! If you have any info or knowledge of a similar situation I would be really grateful :-)

moneypenny73

Joyful wrote: »

Who got the higher bills- you or the neighbour ?

Hi Joyful

I haven't been able to sit down with her and compare our bills, she's just started a new business and hasn't had the time to spare to look at the issue but her meter reading is currently twice that of mine - she keeps her house at a balmy 80 degrees whereas I usually just go put a jumper on! As I mentioned in my reply to CitySlicker, I'm looking for any info on set protocol or requirements laid down by the powers that be. I know this situation doesn't happen often but it does happen... I'm not looking to profit from this just to ensure that things get properly straightened out and I don't end up out of pocket.

spiro

For now forget what you neighbours bills are. Do the readings on YOUR BILL match YOUR METER? This should be easy to tell as you say their reading is twice yours. If the answer is yes you have both beinbg paying for the right amount of gas. All they need to do is sort the MPRN and Meter Serial numbers out.

mattcanary

If the readings don't tally up, then British Gas definitely need to recalculate your bills & refund (probably) you - despite what they may be saying.

samtheman1k

Surely if your neighbour's is higher than yours, then you'll be getting a hefty refund anyway?

Premier_2

moneypenny73 wrote: »

Hi Joyful

I haven't been able to sit down with her and compare our bills, she's just started a new business and hasn't had the time to spare to look at the issue but her meter reading is currently twice that of mine - ....

That doesn't imply she has used twice as much.
It depends on what the start readings were.

Premier_2

moneypenny73 wrote: »

...As I change supplier about every 2 years it means that none of the 3 suppliers I've had since I've lived here have actually supplied me gas...

moneypenny73 wrote: »

Hi CitySlicker, thanks for your interest :-) There is a massive difference, my neighbour's reading is almost twice mine! ...

spiro wrote: »

For now forget what you neighbours bills are. Do the readings on YOUR BILL match YOUR METER? This should be easy to tell as you say their reading is twice yours. If the answer is yes you have both beinbg paying for the right amount of gas. All they need to do is sort the MPRN and Meter Serial numbers out.

When you switch supplier, it's typical that the supplier will ask you to supply a meter reading on the day of the actual switch.
Presumably you gave your meter reading, not your neighbours.
If there was a massive difference in the reading you gave from your meter and the expected reading the outgoing supplier would have expected because they were actually switching the neighbours meter in error, then that should have highlighted an issue.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi moneypenny

Have we sorted this out for you now?

From our end, what needs to happen is to make sure the Meter Serial Number we have on our system matches that on your actual meter. Have we confirmed this?

As you've only recently joined us, you may not have received a bill yet. If you have, check the serial number on the bill is the same as that on your meter.

We also need to make sure the Meter Point Reference Number on the national databases corresponds with your property address. Do you know if this has been done or is being sorted for you?

Part of this process involves informing all the other parties involved in the supply of gas to your property. This includes organisations like the meter readers, meter operators and gas distributors.

As your current supplier, it's our responsibility to make sure these amendments are done. This will make sure future billing is based on the correct metering details. It will also prevent similar difficulties in the future should you decide to change supplier again.

We have a dedicated team who specialise in these matters. This is our Crossed Meter team. Have a chat with them if there are any problems.

Sorry if this has already been sorted moneypenny. Give me a shout if you need any more info as happy to help.

Malc