Large Gas 'Catch Up' Bill

kgilbert

Hi all,

It's my first post here, so was just after a bit of advice.

I've been living in my small 1 bed flat for 3 years, and paid all my gas bills on time, however after a recent meter reading, I've just been hit with a 'catch-up' bill of £1442.41 as all the previous bills were estimated. Even thought the meters are outside and unlocked, it still seems like quite a lot!

Also, Southern Electric put their prices up by approx 17% last year so I'd like to be sure that I'm not being charged for outstanding units at the higher rate over three years.

My friend suggested I ask for a Customer Billing Code, which they're not supposed to offer unless your ask, but before I do, has anyone heard of this? or does anyone have any advice on the best way to deal it?

Thanks in advance,

Karl

victor2

kgilbert wrote: »

I've been living in my small 1 bed flat for 3 years, and paid all my gas bills on time, however after a recent meter reading, I've just been hit with a 'catch-up' bill of £1442.41 as all the previous bills were estimated. Even thought the meters are outside and unlocked, it still seems like quite a lot!

Also, Southern Electric put their prices up by approx 17% last year so I'd like to be sure that I'm not being charged for outstanding units at the higher rate over three years.

Since they can't ascertain when the gas was actually used, they can't really be expected to charge you at older rates. I would think you'll only be able to make sure you are charged at the rate applicable when the reading was taken and not any subsequent increase.

It sounds like you've been hit by accepting bills using estimated readings since the last time your meter was actually read. Your supplier might come to some agreement for you to pay it off in installments if you contact them.

BargainGalore

The customer billing code states that they only have to read your meter every two years. As you accepted estimated bills this is partly down to yourself as well as your energy provider assuming they read it every two years. Your best bet is come to an agreement with them to pay by instalments but bare in mind energy has gone up a lot this year as well as last year too

jalexa

kgilbert wrote: »

My friend suggested I ask for a Customer Billing Code..

I'm guessing that your friend vaugely recalls something called the Code of Practice for Accurate Billing. Unfortunately, uniquely amongst the "Big 6", Southern Electric (and sister SSE companies) are not signatories, and even if they were *your* customer failure to correct estimated bills would *probably* disqualify application of the Billing Code's backbilling provisions.

Every Southern Electric bill has a very clear "thumbs-up" for actual readings and a "thumbs-down" for estimated readings, plus a message what to do. I'm not being judgemental but have you an explanation why you accepted estimated readings in the face of the very clear bill message?

That said you are entitled to reasonable estimates. The supplier has a statutory responsibility to make every effort to read the meter at least once every two years. IME, normally Southern Electric are much better than that. You should find out which of the bills, if any, (over the 3 years) have actual meter readings. You said "all the previous bills were estimated". I don't mean to disbelieve you but rather to give a "technical" answer, *if* what you say is true then there has been a serious billing breakdown. In that case you should put that to Southern Electric for an explanation.

Also, to get meaningful help here, you need to post what *you think* is your annual gas consumption (in kWhrs), what you pay every month, and whether that amount has increased over the last 3 years.

And finally, though a long shot, are you satisfied the recent "actual" reading is correctly recorded and calculated?

Up to you to respond as you see fit.

rising_from_the_ashes

Yup, agree with the others that you've been caught out by estimated bills over a pretty significant period of time.

Try to come to an arrangement with them to pay it off.

To avoid any similar problems in the future, read your meter and submit the readings on a regular basis - like many others, I do mine monthly but at a minimum I'd suggest doing this every 3 months.

t0rt0ise

To actually answer your question, they should reissue the bills based on new estimates of how much was used in each year and charged at the correct price. EDF did this for me this year after they read the meter after a price increase and they did it without my asking so it is something that is usual for them to do. If they haven't done this then ask them to. It's a reasonable request to make.

kgilbert

Thanks all your help on this - really appreciated! I'll try to get some kind of cost break down if possible, and ask for a payment plan. Cheers. K

dogshome

Hi kgilbert - Apologies for late entry to this debate, but hope you are still following your thread.

This demand for repayment of a £1442 debt that has built up on Estimated bills issued to a 1 bed flat over 3 years, looks a bit odd
.
It roughly works out to 9600 Kwh for each of the 3 years, which is on top of the estimated Kwh use on the bills SE issued, which you have been paying
Whilst due to build quality, insulation and lifestyle, there are huge differences in Power/Gas consumptions between any given 1 bed flat and another, some will run very comfortably on just 9600kwh a year.

If you catch this please post what you have been paying that is in addition to the £1442 demand, and if you know it, your annual consumption in Kwh - SE will tell you this if you ask

Cyril

I am in the same situation except that I can't read the meter as we have never had a key ( a new installation ) and when I described the key, its not the triangular one, Southern Electric couldn't recognise it even went through to their engineers and nor did they.

They suggested I went to B & Q ??. For a meter box they fitted. They must have a key as they read the metre 3 years ago.

Anyway we have also been paying estimated bills and eventually forced the door and we are approx £1600 adrift.

victor2

You can get multi-purpose utility cupboard keys like this.
Less than a few quid and can help avoid huge catch-up bills or over payments.

jalexa

Cyril wrote: »

when I described the key, its not the triangular one, Southern Electric couldn't recognise it even went through to their engineers and nor did they.

How did you describe the key?

I'm guessing it is what is called a "double barb key", *probably* 5mm, fitted to a box installed by the builder (not the supplier). And yes, as pointed out, obtainable at B&Q.