Changing Suppliers & Back Billing Code

Paulbula

Back in October 2010 we changed dual fuel gas/electricity supplier from EON to EDF for a cheaper tariff using uswitch.

This change went fine and we started being supplied by EDF on dual fuel tariff from 6th December 2010 for the electricity and 21st December 2010 for the gas (we don't know why the gas took longer to switch?)

Just after the change we received a letter from EON advising our final EON bill had been delayed so we kept some money aside for it. After that we never heard anything from EON again and eventually forgot all about this final bill.

Then on 24th January 2012 we received a letter from EON demanding £277 for gas/electricity charges to be paid immediately for a period of October to December 2010. Now this seems like a very high amount but as such a long time has passed we no longer have the meter readings we made back at the time of the switch so can't check if they're correct or not.

It seemed rather unreasonable of EON to expect a huge amount like that out of the blue suddenly so I had a look on this website to see if there was any chance we could pay it off in monthly installments as we simply don't have that kind of spare money available right now.

However I then came across the voluntary "Back Billing Code" that the main energy companies (including EON) are signed up to which says they will not charge for bills from over 12 months ago provided the delay was not the customers fault (which it isn't in our case).

Does this code that EON singed up to mean we possibly have a case for not paying this bill as they took so long to send it (over 12 months)? How would you suggest we deal with this when we contact EON?

Many thanks for any advice you can give here!

Paul

macman

Is this the first bill that they have sent you?

Paulbula

Hi yes the first bill we have had from them since switching to EDF in October 2010. The only previous contact we have had from them was one letter around December 2010 advising of a delay to the final bill.

jalexa

Paulbula wrote: »

Does this code that EON singed up to mean we possibly have a case for not paying this bill as they took so long to send it (over 12 months)? How would you suggest we deal with this when we contact EON?

Yes possibly, but if you read the Code you will see that there are many cases to consider.

My advice on tactics is to "set a trap" for E.ON by asking (in writing or by email) why they are submitting a bill after more than 12 months when the Billing Code suggests otherwise. I cannot anticipate the outcome in this particular situation but if you are not satisfied with the response you can continue to a formal complaint and then possibly to an Energy Ombudsman referral.

Given that E.ON are very likely to invoke debt recovery very quickly you must work fast and keep meticulous records of any contact. In these situations an early formal complaint is recommended.

chanz4

When was the bill produced? Or is this a reminder that you havent paid. Because if the produced the bill within 12 months they are fine under the code, but if they havent they are not.

Paulbula

OK thanks for the advice.

The bill is dated 24th January 2012 so is outside the 12 months in this case...

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Paul

I'm sorry it took so long to send you a final bill following your switch to EDF.

The Billing Code states, where we're at fault for not billing a domestic customer, we will not send a bill for energy used more than one year prior to the bill being issued.

Given your post, I would certainly ask the question. Each account is considered individually and a decision made based on the particular circumstances of each case.

Hope this helps point you in the right direction Paul. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help. Drop an email to the address in my Profile if you prefer.

Malc