Incorrect deemed reading - HElp!

dont_use_vistaprint

I have just read my gas meter and its almost 2000 units (100s cubic feet) above the npower estimated reading. When I have looked back at the readings , they have all been estimated since March 2011, even though the price has gone up significantly in September.

We have been unable to read the meter because of the location at thge back of the kitchen cupboards right in the corner. This was how it was when I bought the house 7 years ago. I have never read the meter but assumed the suppliers were doing so when they visited from time to time to read meters.

The last time npower visited to read it they refused and asked me to try and read it and send it in.

The previous company was First Utility who promised to install a smart meter to help with this problem but diddnt ever do it. They also doubled the standing charges after we signed up without telling us. When I found out several months later I changed to npower. First Utility never came to read the meter because they were menat to do it automatically via the smart meter. So its definetely not been read since March 2010, possibly longer.

I have now found out that in March 2011 First Utility supplied a deemed reading to npower of 8673. Today I have finally been able to read the metre with the aid of small child, head torch and digitalk camera and it reads 6931.

npower are inisting its not thier problem and are still billing me each month. What shoudl I do? Is it likely I have been overcharged ?

Help&Advice pls

HappyMJ

You will need to get first:utility to agree a closing meter read with Npower. Npower can only go on an opening read of what first:utility have agreed with them. first:utility will then send you a refund and Npower will back date the extra charges (if any).

Cardew

Even using the current correct reading of 693(and ignoring what you have used since March 2011) there is a discrepancy of 1,742 Imperial gas units which is about 55,000kWh costing around £1,500.

So taking into account what you have used since March, you have paid First Utility and the company you used before them(First Utility have not been in business 7 years) something in the region of £2,000 too much.

It is also worth pointing out that it is mandatory that the gas meter be inspected every two years, and all companies should have insisted that you make the meter available for inspection - and if that meant dismantling a kitchen cupboard - that is your problem. If you wouldn't make the meter available for inspection the gas supply should have been disconnected. That will still be the situation with Npower.

When the meter is finally read by Npower, they will 'on paper' owe you £1,500 and they clearly are not going to accept that situation. From what we know about First Utility they are unlikely to agree to refund you, because much of the overcharge could have been pocketed by the company(s) used before First Utility - indeed this situation could have been going on for over 7 years and the previous owner overpaid his company(s).

undaunted

Whilst it should be sorted out properly of course I nevertheless don't see how Npower can just say it's not their problem & still bill you if you submit a correct reading every quarter (the meter / bill would look like it was going backwards).

I suggest you put your complaint in writing to both Npower, First Utility (personallty I'd ignore going any further back than that unless they force the issue in their response) & demand that they now get the problem sorted out between them.