Billing mess up question

Lorac29_2

Hi all,
I am having some issues with EDF and would appreciate some advice.
I moved into my flat last March, the meter was read by the estate agent, was all OK and got first bill of £9 or so.

Next bill in July was for £20 and included a letter saying they realised my meter was not easily accessible and wrote in bold that they would read my meter every 3 months and a trained meter reader has been scheduled to do so, so I put it out of my head and assumed the next one would be bigger as would have been read.

Next bill was October, again for £20 and again stating that one of their meter readers would be reading our meter as they know we cannot access our meter. By this time I realised that they couldn't be reading the meter but like they said, I cant access it so was not sure what to do.

Next bill in April this year was £112, another estimate as they had not been able to read it. I looked online and all the payments I had been made were sitting in credit, presumably as they had not actually read it.

Then start of July I got a bill for £350, saying it was an estimate again. Paid that then got another one today for a further £180 - another estimate!

I rang EFD which I wish I had not done and just got annoyed going round in circles with the muppet on the phone. I asked why the bills make no sense and when would they be actually reading it so I could pay the actual amount. He stated that the onus was entirely on me to provide meter readings and I would be getting a bill for £180 a month until I provided one. I said I couldn't access my meter and EDF had infact written to me saying they would be doing the readings but all I have had are estimates. He said they are only legally obliged to read the meter once every 2 years and it was my responsibility to get the readings to them.

SO I am wondering, are they allowed to make up amounts and charge me whatever they want until I have read it myself?? I will be getting the meter reading myself now but involves getting the building manager to allow me access etc etc and will take a while. It states nowhere on any letter that I will be charged £180 a month until I have read it. I have never been asked for a meter reading, just lots of times told they will come and read it. I have only had one non-estimated bill. Can they really be this bad???
I reaslied its got to be paid but their attitude has really annoyed me!!
Thanks.

energysavingexp

ask the building manager for a key as you should have access to your meter at all times

Lorac29_2

I think I will get him to leave the key in the lock!
Its not so much that we can't access it, more that they have insisted over and over that they would have someone come and read it (indeed they used the word scheduled). I am OK crawling into the cupboard to get my reading if thats what they want but what of my 86 year old neighbour? I assume she isnt getting hers read either.

Think I will be crawling in once a month now....looking through the forum seems like I have gotten off fairly lightly on the bad customer service front with EDF.

jalexa

Lorac29 wrote: »

Hi all,
I am having some issues with EDF and would appreciate some advice...

He said they are only legally obliged to read the meter once every 2 years and it was my responsibility to get the readings to them.

First of all, on the "every 2 years" they are right but on your "responsibility" they have slightly over-egged the pudding. You have no "responsibility" to provide a reading, however as householder you do have a responsibility to facilitate their meter reader's access on request. You do realise that if they fail to keep a meter reading appointment you can claim a penalty payment?

That said, it is so self evidently to *your* advantage to provide an occasional customer reading that I cannot believe it is not worth you making the effort.

Lesson over.

Lorac29_2

thanks, point taken....def dont want to speak to them again, just very annoyed at his attitude!!
I will be submitting my readings now, I just hope they accept them as they keep telling me my meter is not accessible!

Lorac29_2

oh and the meter reader has made no attempt to come and read it as far as I am aware. There are 14 flats so someone may have let him in. I have been a bit lax, guess should not have believed them when they kept writing to me saying they would come and read it!
Ack live and learn!