EON standing charge but no supply to property

Martyn1981

C_Mababejive wrote: »

#29 in many cases it would mean disconnection by excavation. If you are lucky enough to have a valved supply outside then it could be valved off. Flats/apartments have different rules.

Thanks. Quick update, confirming what you said.

Our turn for disconnection & re-connection today as the road gets upgraded. Simple job at our house as it turns out we're already 'plastic' (told that about 30% of the houses are due to leaks etc). Asked the 're-connection man' about all this - we're almost on each other Xmas card list, as he also did my Dad's house, and yesterday I house sat for my neighbour.

Here's the advice, all a bit of a lottery, after 1 year of meter being removed, they should get a call to disconnect properties. As excavation can cost about £400, they'd rather not do that, but if metal pipes, they may have to in case of future leaking.

If plastic pipes, then they can hopefully disconnect as the supply goes into the property. He did explain that an expanding bung type 'thing' can be inserted (screwed!) down into the pipe sealing it off.

He also said that re-connection if excavation works are needed will probably be about £1,000 which seems to fit with what others have said.

So ..... bit of a lottery, depending on how modern the supply pipe is, and how it enters the property. Worst case, older pipes, then excavation might be needed.

[Also, pure coincidence, he mentioned my other neighbour, who has solid fuel burners, their pipe was also plastic, but since they still have a meter, the connection has been upgraded, and had the pipe needed replacing, it would have been done too. So perfect timing for them - if they decide to disconnect (as or if SC is added) then hopefully re-connection won't be too expensive. If no meter, then they'd have been bypassed, and the existing plastic supply pipe wouldn't have been connected to the new plastic main pipe.]

All interesting stuff.

Mart.

[Deleted User]

the suppliers have moved the goalposts, they say its to simplify bills, but they ve made sure they have come out winning by charging people now who previously escaped, vacants and non users. I was under the impression that two tier billing was remaining for all that are currently on it, but introducing the "clear and simple " tariffs for all new customers only

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

edwink wrote: »

Hello Malc

I have only stated on MSE what I was told over the phone when I spoke to an E-on member of staff regarding the disconnection of my gas supply. I made thorough notes whilst I was on the phone so I am 100% what I have stated today on this site was what I was told.

I was told that the reconnection and new meter would be FREE. Also told that the National Grid would need to carry out a live and dead check at a cost of a nominal fee of £50.00.

This information was given to me over the phone very very recently and on this information I made the decision to have my supply disconnected.

It now appears that I have been given incorrect information. May I suggest that E-on update their staff fully on the reconnection proceedure and exact costs involved.

Please Private Message me Malc as I am happy to discuss this with you.

Thank you

Edwink

Hi edwink and sorry for the late reply. Been out of the office for a few days and just catching up with my emails.

Gas disconnections/reconnections are dealt with on an individual basis as the circumstances of each request will be different. We've a specialist Gas Disconnections team who deal with these issues and I've just spoken to them about this.

Once a gas meter has been removed, the Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) will also be withdrawn. This means the supply will have no nominated supplier.

If the supply needs reconnecting at a future date, the customer will need to contact the gas supplier of their choice to arrange for a new MPRN to be created.

However, if this request is more than a year after disconnection, the live/dead test lemontart and chanz4 mention comes into play. This is to make sure the pipe work is structurally viable and safe.

If the pipe work is found to be dead or unusable, new pipe work will be needed. The cost will depend on the individual circumstances.

Hope this is of interest. For a more detailed explanation of what's involved, I'd suggest having a chat directly with our specialists in Gas Disconnections. Cut out the middleman, so to speak.

As a company rep, MSE don't allow the use of the PM facility. You can, though, drop an email to the address in my Profile and I'll be happy to pass this on to our Gas Disconnection team or put you in touch with them.

Sorry again for the late reply.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Hiya Malc, any chance you can clarify this a bit more. If I'm reading what Wywth and Lemontart have said correctly, then:-
if Edwink (or others) get their gas meter removed, re-fitting shouldn't cost much or at all, but if any major works take place in between then the connection will not be maintained. Is that about right?

So in this real situation, we are to have our gas mains and supply pipes upgraded in the next months or so. My neighbour opposite has solid fuel burners, and leccy. If they don't have a gas account/meter then when the pipework 'goes past' their house, no connection (supply pipe) will be made to the new gas main?

I house sat for my father 2 weeks ago whilst his supply pipe was upgraded. Meter taken out (less than 5 mins), new yellow supply pipe shoved up the old metal one (1 min), meter replaced, gas stove and boiler checked (less than 10 mins). But if he'd been bypassed, presumably excavation work would be needed for reconnection - any guesses how much that might be?

Thanks.

Mart.

Hi Mart

Sorry for the delay replying. Been out of the office a lot recently.

I see other posters and the 'reconnection man' have given some excellent advice. I've also just posted a bit of info above in reply to edwink that might be of interest.

Hopefully, your questions have been answered. Give me a shout if you've any further questions. Alternatively, have a chat with our Gas Disconnections team, particularly if your queries are more of a technical nature. They'll be happy to help.

Sorry again for the late reply.

Malc

Fustrated

Approx 5-6 years ago when e-on came to replace my old meter with a new one I asked the engineer to cap the supply as I to did not use gas due to mostly working away.

I understand that policies change but my objection is the fact that I have NO choice but to pay a standing charge (£100+ a yr) for something I do not use and have not done so for many years.

Having just got off the phone with e-on this evening I was told the only solution would be to have the meter removed and that I will be charged £80 for the privilege.

What they did say was that I could arrange for a local gas safety engineer to remove the meter and cap the supply as this may be cheaper and that they would collect the meter Free-of-Charge.

My objection is that I'm given no choice but to pay one or the other charges due to e-on changing the goal posts, they know how to kick someone when their down - it really hurts.

The introduction of the standing charge is one thing but being mugged for £80.00 is just criminal while no other solution by e-on is offered.

I guess we should all expect record breaking profits from e-on this year!

What does the ombudsman say about this?, I'm going to find out.

I will never ever use e-on again even if they became the cheapest in the industry, they are an absolute disgrace.

Nada666

Fustrated wrote: »

What does the ombudsman say about this?, I'm going to find out.

Fustrated wrote: »

I will never ever use e-on again even if they became the cheapest in the industry, they are an absolute disgrace.

They may well or may not be a disgrace. But I do hope your decision is based on a more valid complaint than charging for one-off high cost alterations.

Nada666

sacsquacco wrote: »

the suppliers have moved the goalposts, they say its to simplify bills, but they ve made sure they have come out winning by charging people now who previously escaped, vacants and non users. I was under the impression that two tier billing was remaining for all that are currently on it, but introducing the "clear and simple " tariffs for all new customers only

Please stop hurting the cause and argument by mentioning vacants and non-users. Stick to talking about low users - they are the real victims affected by this policy.

zaax

I glad I'm not with these con-merchants. Just move and may be they will go away.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Fustrated wrote: »

Approx 5-6 years ago when e-on came to replace my old meter with a new one I asked the engineer to cap the supply as I to did not use gas due to mostly working away.

I understand that policies change but my objection is the fact that I have NO choice but to pay a standing charge (£100+ a yr) for something I do not use and have not done so for many years.

Having just got off the phone with e-on this evening I was told the only solution would be to have the meter removed and that I will be charged £80 for the privilege.

What they did say was that I could arrange for a local gas safety engineer to remove the meter and cap the supply as this may be cheaper and that they would collect the meter Free-of-Charge.

My objection is that I'm given no choice but to pay one or the other charges due to e-on changing the goal posts, they know how to kick someone when their down - it really hurts.

The introduction of the standing charge is one thing but being mugged for £80.00 is just criminal while no other solution by e-on is offered.

I guess we should all expect record breaking profits from e-on this year!

What does the ombudsman say about this?, I'm going to find out.

I will never ever use e-on again even if they became the cheapest in the industry, they are an absolute disgrace.

Hi Fustrated

Even though a gas supply has been capped and no gas goes to the meter, if the meter is still live, we cannot withdraw from the site.

We still have a duty of care to maintain the meter, make sure it's safe, keep it connected to the grid and pay any rental charges that may be applicable.

This will allow the supply to be re-instated if required at a future date.

The alternative is to disconnect the supply and physically remove the meter. This will leave the site with no nominated supplier. Future reconnection, though, becomes a bit more involved (please see posts above).

Whichever option is chosen, there are costs involved and these are currently passed on to customers, I'm afraid.

Sorry unable to offer anything more positive in this case fustrated.

Malc

annoyedate.on

We own a property which, apparently, is supplied by E.ON. On or around 8/11/2010 our previous (there have been 2 since) tenants vacated and, according to E.ON, notified E.ON of my wife's contact details in order to get a final bill. Fair enough.

So, yesterday (some 2.5 years on) my wife receives a bill from E.ON for standing charges relating to a gas supply.

We have made 4 calls to E.ON to explain there is no gas supply at the property (it was capped in 2004 when the property was purchased). The meter is owned by National Grid. We have no agreement whatsoever with E.On for any supply.

In one conversation, E.ON claim it spoke with my wife two weeks after the tenant moved out. It cites the details of that call with a person's name that bears no resemblance to that of my wife! They claim in that call my wife was informed of the 'to be levied' standing charge (good foresight there E.ON! - 2 years 2 months prior to the tariff changing).

In a subsequent call, with a different customer representative, E.ON informs us that subject of that same call was actually to confirm there would be NO standing charges. In either case, my wife cannot confirm or deny since she was not party to the call!

E.ON insist that we are liable for the standing charges incurred. Insist that we will continue to be liable and the only way to avoid paying E.ON future charges is to change supplier or have the meter removed.

How can one change supplier where there is no supply to be changed!?

Even if a utility company has the right to levy standing charges where a meter is in situ you, E.ON, do not have the right to charge us as we have no contractual agreement for supply!!!!!!!

PLEASE will you realise this!? What you are doing is fraudulent. You are seeking to obtain monies by deception. It is a criminal act.

We have reported E.ON to the Energy Ombudsman and, if demands continue (even though they are in the incorrect name), will also be making a report to the Police.

Should you think this is the rantings of a madman, that is not so. These are the pleadings of a frustrated person who also happens to be a highly qualified solicitor.

Yours,
Annoyed, frustrated and disappointed of Cambridgeshire.