Eon Demanding Extra Money despite Closing an Account!! HELP!!

nhughes_2

Hi all, really need some help with a final payment from Eon who I believe are trying to make me pay for a mistake they made.

Situation is that I have moved abroad and asked Eon for a final bill to close my account, so I gave a meter reading which they accepted. The final bill was higher than anticipated because our consumption was higher than the monthly payment.

I paid this outstanding amount and the account was confirmed closed.

Now new tenants have moved in, Eon have now said the final reading was incorrect and are asking for a further sum despite closing the account, and also are sending bailiff letters to my parents house demanding the sum.

I was wondering what my rights are in this situation as I feel it is Eon's mistake - not mine. The reading was definitely correct and wasn't queried at the time of account closure!!

zomac

Couple of questions, was the property owned or rented? If rented did your tenancy agreement end on the day you moved out?

nhughes_2

The property was rented and the Tenancy ended the same day we left, we have no ties to the property

zomac

You need to call Eon, I'm assuming you have the readings from when you moved out. The landlord will have been responsible for the bills from the date you moved out, until the new tenants moved in. Did you supply Eon with the landlord details? If not, give them a call, as long as you have proof of you tenancy dates (tenancy agreement), you'll be able to sort it without any probs.

nhughes_2

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated! I've already contacted e-on and they're telling me that the meter reading I gave them the day we moved out and tenancy ended has now been found out to be incorrect, despite them creating a bill and closing the account at the time. E-on have created a new bill for us 3 months after having moved house.

jalexa

nhughes wrote: »

they're telling me that the meter reading I gave them the day we moved out and tenancy ended has now been found out to be incorrect, despite them creating a bill and closing the account at the time. E-on have created a new bill for us 3 months after having moved house.

First things first. The fact that they created a bill and closed the account is neither here nor there. If other "facts" come to light they are entitled to revise a closing bill.

You say "the reading was definitely correct", they say it wasn't. I don't mean to disbelieve you but what is your proof? Equally what is E.on's "proof"?

Electricity consumption can be inferred to reasonable accuracy using previous consumption and seasonal factors. The tenancy end date is a matter of fact if evidenced by your tenancy agreement. You need to scrutinise the first final bill and the revised bill for dates not consistent with your tenancy end date. E.On have challenged your reading. You need to scrutinise "your" and "E.on's" claimed consumption. Which consumption is most compatible with previous consumption and seasonal factors?

I always take a consumer centric view (the E.on web mons who will surely be along tomorrow will recognise that) but your posts are hopelessly short of "facts". Remedy that and forum help may (or may not) be fruitful.

OhReally_2

Just send them a copy of your outgoing inventory signed and dated by the LL/agent showing the outgoing agreed reading

Terrylw1

There are a few possibilities, such as:

- the new tenants have read it wrong.

- the new tenants have intentionally given higher readings to get out of paying.

- the landlord has made a mistake with readings.

- the landlord is not set up inbetween and has used energy. When the new tenant gives their correct reading...the landlords consumption lands on you. Its been a common landlord trick and you see threads on here from landlords who don't understand their liability for non tenanted periods as if when they switch the lights on the elec is free!

- Eon found from the new tenants reading that yours is unrealistic so have estimated one.

- Eon have an opening reading dispute with tenant that disagrees with your closing reading, so have removed both actual and used a revised estimate. This could happen if the old tenant got it wrong for either of the two reasons above.

I'm sure there is more but its worth finding out which one is causing this first. Then you can challenge Eon to provide evidence of why they won't use your reading.

Its worth mentioning that the supplier could be stuck in the middle of a dispute with several parties here not knowing who to believe so keep an open mind.

As part of estimation, they could use your consumption or monitor the new tenant.

Sometimes a supplier just writes off the difference in these cases since its impossible to really prove which reading is accurate since consumptions may differ, leading to a gap between a closing & opening reading.

jalexa

nhughes wrote: »

E-on have created a new bill for us 3 months after having moved house.

That is key, but the key issue is not that is was "created" after 3 months but whether the revised "billed to" date is extended by 3 months. That would not be lawful in the face of a tenancy agreement to the contrary.

Added consumption to the original date needs to be handled differently. In that case the provenance of the E.On reading is relevant.

If you have a grievance I suggest immediate recourse to the complaint's procedure.

nhughes_2

Thank you for all the advice and help, will be contacting them today re new tenant's reading.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Morning nhughes,

The guys have given some excellent advice already, but just wanted to try and help you if I can.

It could be any one of Terrylw1 reasons, but we need to investigate this properly for you.

These disputes normally happen when one tenant moves out, then the property is empty for a bit until someone new moves in.

I agree with jalexa, as you haven't been able to sort this out then you should follow the complaints procedure.

If you need me to help, just ask it's no problem.

Helena