Edf and back billing rule

seafarers_wife

Wondering how this works as it may be the stick I need to beat edf with.

I'm still waiting on my first and only bill from them and I switched supplier last July. I've had the gas bill, but am fed up chasing them for the electric one. They say there is a problem with the reads, but my new supplier is using the read I gave edf and have billed me since so why can't edf?

I'm happy to pay the bill when I receive it, but I'm fed up waiting and being fobbed off, so hoping I can tell them if they don't bill me by x date then due to the back billing rule I don't have to pay because of their incompetence. I will pay the bill regardless as I owe the money but i want to put a rocket up their behinds so that I get the bill ASAP.

Do you think the back billing rule would be the thing to quote at them, as my complaining to them has done absolutely nothing and I have complained in writing as well as over the phone.

backfoot

It appears that you have done more than enough to bring this matter to a resolution.

My advice would be to invoke your rights not to be billed for amounts beyond a year.

EDF are a multinational company who quite frankly are operating like a tin pot outfit. The consequences are their responsibilty. I wouldn't make any further contact.

lithopsian

Not a year yet, but their own guidelines are that they can't backbill more than a year if it is their fault and you have met your obligations re. meter readings, etc.

Terrylw1

lithopsian wrote: »

Not a year yet, but their own guidelines are that they can't backbill more than a year if it is their fault and you have met your obligations re. meter readings, etc.

The OP mentions switching from them in July and waiting for the first bill so it sounds like its been going on longer.

The new supplier will bill you fine OP, but if your reads are wrong it will all go wrong with them in the same way with the first bill so you need to check that your meter data all lines up. If so, the old supplier may have internal problems rather than a real problem affecting your meter.

You can view the billing codes if you Google them, the ofgem policy also operates.

seafarers_wife

Thanks, I deal with prepayment meters when at work so know more about that side of things than I do credit meters. All my reads are correct as I take a read on the 1st of every month and log it in a spreadsheet so I can keep track of usage and monitor my direct debit and adjust it as needed myself.

It will be a year this July that I changed from edf so will just leave them to it, the bill will be approx £40 so not a huge amount, but annoying as I want it tied up so I can archive this tax years paperwork asapncome the start of the new tax year.

Terrylw1

seafarers_wife wrote: »

Thanks, I deal with prepayment meters when at work so know more about that side of things than I do credit meters. All my reads are correct as I take a read on the 1st of every month and log it in a spreadsheet so I can keep track of usage and monitor my direct debit and adjust it as needed myself.

It will be a year this July that I changed from edf so will just leave them to it, the bill will be approx £40 so not a huge amount, but annoying as I want it tied up so I can archive this tax years paperwork asapncome the start of the new tax year.

Are you operating as a business at the property? I just picked up on your last comment.

If you are a business the billing code won't apply and thy can back bill a lot further regardless of your efforts to get them to pull their finger out. 5 years or 6 years for Scotland. However, given its a low value you might be able to pursued them that its not your fault they can't resolve change of supply reading issue, which occur in great volumes in the elec market every year...and maybe they would write it off as goodwill?

raider

Hi seafarers wife

I've had exactly the same problem with EDF when changing my mums electric to B/Gas. Switched last July, sent them the meter reads, they said there was an issue with them. The switch to B/Gas went through ok, with actual meter reads on the first bill, kept phoning EDF for months after and got nowhere. In the last contact with them I was told someone would call me, they didn't bother!

Funny thing is, mum owes them money and if they don't want it then sod'em!:D

Done and dusted as far as I'm concerned, not gonna waste any more of my time with their incompetence.

seafarers_wife

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Are you operating as a business at the property? I just picked up on your last comment.

If you are a business the billing code won't apply and thy can back bill a lot further regardless of your efforts to get them to pull their finger out. 5 years or 6 years for Scotland. However, given its a low value you might be able to pursued them that its not your fault they can't resolve change of supply reading issue, which occur in great volumes in the elec market every year...and maybe they would write it off as goodwill?

No not a business, just a normal house but as I work for a utility company I'm fastidious about taking my reads so that if there is an issue I can give the correct info

Re the tax year paper work, I do all my filing in conjunction with a tax year so that if I need to pull out a bank statement for DHs tax return or something, then it's easier for me to have it all filed by tax year so I'm not having to get multiple folders out.