Back Billing more than 12 mths later!

freeman22

Hi all,

We bought our house on 18 Nov 2011 & decided to change from the sellers dual fuel provider (SSE) to EON who were our previous supplier at our old address. We were asked to provide gas & electricity readings to EON which I did. I received an electricity bill from SSE (within about a month) which I paid. I then rang SSE to query when I would receive a gas bill (in fact I think I rang them more than once) & they told me that they were awaiting the meter readings from EON. I also rang EON who told me that they had passed the readings on. Feeling that I had done all that I could, I then expected to receive a bill at some point. I might add that as we needed to carry out refurbishment works to the house, we didn't actually move in until 9 Dec (Council Tax records would also back this up) so were barely using any heating.

Anyway, I pretty much forgot about the bill after this, particularly as the "ball was not in my court" so to speak. I also wasn't sure whether if EON would charge me for the gas & then pass the payment over to SSE in settlement (I've never changed suppliers before so am not sure how it works) Anyway a gas bill from SSE dated 13 Dec 12 for £64.35 popped through my letter box today. The supply date quoted on the bill is 18 Nov 11 - 8 Dec 11.

My questions are a) am I legally obligated to pay this bill which is for gas supplied over 12 months ago when there has been no contact during the last 12 months from SSE? & b) I dispute that we would have used this amount of gas in what amounts to 21 days.

I have looked on the internet & it would appear from the "Energy Retail Association Code of Practice for Accurate Bills Back Billing for Domestic Customers" that I might not have to, as the bill was produced for supply over a period over 12 months ?

I have contacted SSE to dispute the matter & am awaiting a reply. Forearmed is forewarned as they say so any useful advice would be gratefully appreciated in case I need to go into battle!

TIA
Debs

spiro

The 12 month rule applies when it is the suppliers fault. In your case the new supplier provides the meter reading to the old supplier who can then issue a final bill so it all depends on which supplier is at fault. If it is SSE then Back Billing probably applies.

jalexa

freeman22 wrote: »

I have contacted SSE to dispute the matter & am awaiting a reply.

First of all, SSE are not signatories to the ERA Code, though their own Customer Charter contains a clause of similar effect.

The first thing to do is ask SSE why they think the (late) billing complies with their own procedure. If you do not agree the explanation raise a Complaint. I recommend in writing or by email so that you have a record.

freeman22

Well the plot thickens! I rang EON today to find out when they supplied SSE with my final reading & they advised me that they had informed SSE on 8 Dec 11 so the delay is clearly SSE's. In addition, the reading that was passed over to SSE was actually 62 units less than the reading that SSE have charged me for, so no wonder I thought that the bill total was too much. I have been charged for 132 units instead of 70!

Apparently EON now have to raise a dispute with SSE about the disparity between the readings (I am awaiting a call back from them as the chap I spoke to, had not raised one before & needed to seek advice from his manager)

Cardew

The 12 month rule means that they cannot back bill more than 12 months(unless it is not the supplier's fault)

It doesn't mean that the whole bill is written off after 12 months.

So under the 12 month rule(with the company being at fault)if a bill was produced today(18/12/2012) they could only bill for the previous 12 months i.e. back to 18/12/2011 and any period before that date would be written off.

So as I understand your situation you are still required to pay the majority of the SSE's bill - fault or no fault.

jalexa

Cardew wrote: »

back to 18/12/2011 and any period before that date would be written off.

So as I understand your situation you are still required to pay

No, I think you are a year out. SSE supply ceased on or around 8/12/2011

Cardew

jalexa wrote: »

No, I think you are a year out. SSE supply ceased on or around 8/12/2011

Whoops - you are correct!

freeman22

Thanks all for your input.

To date I have not heard from either SSE (regarding the email I sent in response to the bill) or from EON.

macman

I wouldn't get sidetracked by the reading mismatch-what you don't pay one, you pay the other.

freeman22

macman wrote: »

I wouldn't get sidetracked by the reading mismatch-what you don't pay one, you pay the other.

Yes - presumably I already have in my first quarterly bill of 2012 - to EON!

Wywth

freeman22 wrote: »

Hi all,

We bought our house on 18 Nov 2011 & decided to change from the sellers dual fuel provider (SSE) to EON who were our previous supplier at our old address. We were asked to provide gas & electricity readings to EON which I did. I received an electricity bill from SSE (within about a month) which I paid. I then rang SSE to query when I would receive a gas bill (in fact I think I rang them more than once) & they told me that they were awaiting the meter readings from EON. I also rang EON who told me that they had passed the readings on. Feeling that I had done all that I could, I then expected to receive a bill at some point. I might add that as we needed to carry out refurbishment works to the house, we didn't actually move in until 9 Dec (Council Tax records would also back this up) so were barely using any heating.

Anyway, I pretty much forgot about the bill after this, particularly as the "ball was not in my court" so to speak. I also wasn't sure whether if EON would charge me for the gas & then pass the payment over to SSE in settlement (I've never changed suppliers before so am not sure how it works) Anyway a gas bill from SSE dated 13 Dec 12 for £64.35 popped through my letter box today. The supply date quoted on the bill is 18 Nov 11 - 8 Dec 11.

My questions are a) am I legally obligated to pay this bill which is for gas supplied over 12 months ago when there has been no contact during the last 12 months from SSE? & b) I dispute that we would have used this amount of gas in what amounts to 21 days.

I have looked on the internet & it would appear from the "Energy Retail Association Code of Practice for Accurate Bills Back Billing for Domestic Customers" that I might not have to, as the bill was produced for supply over a period over 12 months ?

I have contacted SSE to dispute the matter & am awaiting a reply. Forearmed is forewarned as they say so any useful advice would be gratefully appreciated in case I need to go into battle!

TIA
Debs

As already advised, SSE have not agreed to abide by the terms of the ERA Code of Practice

However, if you keep looking on t'internet you'll see SSE have their own code of practice which at least meets the ERA code of practice.

I'm sure when SSE reads your complaint, they will waive the bill.