Help - Big Electricity Bill Incoming

Monkeyman87

Hi

First post, have come here to seek advice as you all seem to know what you are talking about.

I've got myself into a stupid situation with my electric bill and would really like some help on the best way to sort it out.

I live in a flat share with 2 others, the bills have been split out between us with the electric being in my name.

Due to my stupidity/laziness I haven't been checking the actual meter readings over the 3 years I have been here nor have Southern Electric as neither of us had access to the meter (its been locked away in a outside cupboard that I've only just recently received the key for). This means all of our bills have been on estimated readings.

Now that I have read the proper meter reading, I've found it to be over 10000 units over our estimated readings! :eek: (I thought the estimated readings were ok as they seemed average compared to friends but our flat is stupidly cold in the winter and all the heating is electric, I just didn't realise how expensive that heating would be!)

So that is one big bill coming!

I haven't got in touch with southern electric yet as I'd like to know where I stand on this issue first (this is where you guys come in :T)

- Will Southern Electric be likely to do a deal on getting this paid off in one go? (I know I'm supposed to read the meter but aren't they legally obliged to do it as well?)

- Can I also get my flatmates names put on the bill so I'm not left to deal with this on my own. (We are friends but when it comes to big bills I trust no one)

- If I can't afford to pay it, do they charge interest on the repayment options?

Thanks for any assistance you can give me and yes I know I'm a muppet for leaving this issue so long. :mad:

molerat

Are you paying by monthly direct debit ? If you are they will increase the dd to cover, you need to ask to pay over an extended period. As they have not read the meter for over 2 years as per their licence obligations you could ask for that amount of time to pay it back. They will not charge interest. You may be able to get other names on the bill, then you will all be individually liable for the whole bill.

Monkeyman87

molerat wrote: »

Are you paying by monthly direct debit ? If you are they will increase the dd to cover, you need to ask to pay over an extended period. As they have not read the meter for over 2 years as per their licence obligations you could ask for that amount of time to pay it back. They will not charge interest. You may be able to get other names on the bill, then you will all be individually liable for the whole bill.

Thanks for the response.

I just pay the bill quarterly rather than direct debit, we will also be leaving the property in about two months time hence my worry over splitting the bill.

If we were all legally responsible, would southern electric split the bill between us?

StuC75

10,000 units sounds a heck of a lot of usage. Look to check the meter reference numbers - with what you have checked and what is on the bill..

Also check that you have read the meter the correct way!, some have dials that move clock wise & anticlockwise, meaning that misreads are possible..

If it is electric heating only was it an E7 Meter? and the reading have been incorrectly noted?

DragonQ

A 10,000 kWh gap over two years isn't terribly surprising if you have electric heating in a cold house and were paying similar rates to other people. Maybe the people you were comparing to have gas central heating, or better insulated houses, or just have the heating on less.

10,000 kWh over two years would cost £1160 on my tariff (which is better for mid-to-high users than any tariffs available now) so if your meter reading is correct you'll certainly have to find £400-500 each. The only way this would be less is if you Economy 7, but even then it's still gonna be hefty.

Monkeyman87

It's a digital meter so I've just been reading the 5 digit number, as for tariff we are on "Domestic Standard"

The electric heating is just a turn on/off affair, as is the water heater so no benefit to cheaper overnight electric rates. We try not to use the heating but this winter it was terrible (rooms down to 11 degrees C) so had to to have it on.

As its spread over such a broad time Southern Electric will need to take into account the different unit rates won't they? Rather than just charging us at the current price.

Anyone know if they tend to offer a discount to pay it all off at once?

Will call them tomorrow when everyone is in so we can all be put on the bill.

lemon26

We've just been in a situation with nPower where they didin't issue a bill for a year, eventually we had to get the Ombudsman to force them too as we just wanted to pay for what we've used. I paid it off in one lump and they didn't offer any discount, nor did I ask for one - I've used it so it's only right, and fair, that I pay for it. They might offer you a payment plan over a time period, they offered me a year to repay but had been putting away money to cover the eventual bill.

When you get your bill it will show price changes which may or may not go in your favour...depends on how they split the difference between the estimate and actual. It might be worth also seeing if your tarriff is one of these where the first couple of hundred units before the cheap rate is a lot higher in the winter (when you're going to be using more :mad:). You might also have a daily standing charge so you'll have to factor in two years of that on top of the 10,000 kWh extra usage....

We're on E7 and our mentioned above bill was for about 13,000 kWh with 80% usage on the lower night rate and, looking at the bill, came to £1,196.

spiro

Even if all names are on the bill they wont split it, they will get the money from whoever they can. If the other two disappear but they find you, youwill have to pay the entrire bill. Split it between housemates is a 'third party dispute' so you would have to chase them.

Given you are moving in two months, the entire amount will be due when you move out and they will be less likely to spread the bill over a long period as you are no longer a customer.

Lots of suppliers have a clause in their T&Cs that you should submit a meter reading twice a year beause they only have to read ever two years. Have you received any letters from them requesting access to the meter?

macman

Monkeyman87 wrote: »

Thanks for the response.

I just pay the bill quarterly rather than direct debit, we will also be leaving the property in about two months time hence my worry over splitting the bill.

If we were all legally responsible, would southern electric split the bill between us?

No, you are all jointly and severally liable. SE will come after whoever they can get, they're not interested in 3rd party disputes between the occupiers.

Wywth

Monkeyman87 wrote: »

Thanks for the response.

I just pay the bill quarterly rather than direct debit, we will also be leaving the property in about two months time hence my worry over splitting the bill.

If we were all legally responsible, would southern electric split the bill between us?

Then you'll get a final bill when you leave, which will be expected to be paid off IN FULL (as Martin would say). Agreeing a repayment plan in such circumstances may be difficult, but may still be possible.
Any agreement plan established whilst you are an existing customer will not be valid, unless the plan was agreed on such a basis.

I suggest you contact your supplier without delay and explain the whole situation.

All account holders will be held jointly & severally liable for any bill. The supplier will not get involved in any third party dispute you may have with your housemates.

StuC75

The OP quotes that 'electric being in my name'.. So they would need to get the payment from the others before they all go! Did they share the bills as all pay equal, or that each one picked up a separate bill in its entirety?

Wywth wrote: »

Then you'll get a final bill when you leave, which will be expected to be paid off IN FULL (as Martin would say). Agreeing a repayment plan in such circumstances may be difficult, but may still be possible.
Any agreement plan established whilst you are an existing customer will not be valid, unless the plan was agreed on such a basis.

I suggest you contact your supplier without delay and explain the whole situation.

All account holders will be held jointly & severally liable for any bill. The supplier will not get involved in any third party dispute you may have with your housemates.