Spark Energy - advice needed

squidgytommy

Hello everyone,

First time poster. In need of some kind of advice about exactly what to do about a problem with our old energy supplier, Spark. I have searched the web and found so many complaints on this company!

We rented a property from May 2009 to May 2010 and mistakenly agreed to use Spark as an electricity supplier. They never came to take an initial meter reading and never requested one from us. On moving out, we received a bill for (as I recall) approx £2000. We advised them that this was obviously incorrect for a small one bedroom flat and they advised that they would sort the matter out and to forget about it. We subsequently shredded all of our info from our rented home in late 2011 because we thought it was no longer needed.

2 years past and last month, out of the blue, we received a 'final bill' from Spark for a further £320. 2 years later! We have tried to quote the back billing rules to them, but they have advised that they are not party to that agreement, even though it was my understanding that all energy companies were required to follow this by OfGem.

We feel a little cheated that they pop up so long after and ask us to pay so much after the previous problems we were given. On top of this, it appears that neither they nor the landlord has the initial meter reading so we have no idea where they got this from.

If we referred this matter to the Ombudsmen would we have a valid case and not have to pay anything? I am minded to offer them half in a full and final settlement. Can anyone suggest a way forward?

Thank you all for your help.

Tom

Terrylw1

All suppliers have to abide by the ofgem billing code. They are referring to the back billing code that suppliers have banded together on.

If there are no readings, they will estimate them. When you change supplier, this is calculated by their agents using consumption they hold from your readings. When you move house, suppliers do it based on what they hold.

If the bill is too high, its possible the previous occupant had been underbilled, perhaps to estimates. If he/she moves out and they estimate the closing reading, when you move in you get that reading as your account start reading providing no landlords inbetween. Then if they read your meter, it catches up and you get billed for your previous occupants missed usage.

Its likely to be a readings issue with either your account start read or your change of supply read to your new supplied. So, did you new bills run inline with your meter or was your account way ahead? If so, your change of supply reading was too high and Spark billed you or cosumption that your new supplier would...and be careful over unit prices on that front.

In terms of your Spark account start read, since it wasn't a change of tenancy where they could estimate as I said earlier, it would be a change of supply reading that the previous suppliers agents would estimate. You really need to view the bills, even if they can explain them over the phone...and look for any shark pumps which would highlight either consumption paying catch up or an incorrect reading. Also, what is your likely usage even using your bills now vs that period.

In terms of settlement, you should pay for what you use but you could agree a settlement by working out how ma y units your would have used whilst with Spark and saying that's all they are getting.

Sorry if that's a bit general, its just very difficult to say without more detail on readings.

macman

It's your job to take an initial meter reading and supply it, did you not do this? Nothing to do with the landlord. If you have no opening record then it's impossible to prove what you have actually used.
Did you take a closing reading upon vacating the property?