Npower estimate!

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

Hi everyone, hope you can help us.

Me and my partner used to rent a property. While the property was rented out our tenants were responsible for there own gas and electricity, however when we decided to sell and our tenants vacated the property they had not given the company there meter readings. My Partner informed the power company of the readings and our new buyer informed them of the readings when she moved in. 6 months later we have received an estimated bill of £126 for the 4 months the property was empty. As you can imagine we were shocked and have argued our case however they claim they have no record of us sending them the readings and we are to pay. We are aware that our previous tenant can not be found and is involved in fraud but we dont think it fair that we should foot his electricity bill. Is this a fight we have no chance of winning?

Any advice appreciated
Many thanks.

spiro

Unfortunately should have put the 'move out' reading in an email, as without this you have no proof of the reading you submitted. I presume the bill is just for the period between the tenants moving out and the property was sold.

ValHaller

Submit the readings and the date you took them again.

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

It was so long ago we have no clue where they are, it looks like we will have to foot the bill. Thanks for your replies.

macman

But if the new bill is estimated, then it's going to be based on previous usage and assumed occupancy. So the first thing to do is resubmit the current readings and get an accurate bill, which should then reflect standing charges only, if no actual usage.

Pineapple88

Do you have the readings that the new buyer took? If so are these similar to the reading you submitted?

Sometimes the power company will check the new occupiers account for the readings to see if they have had an actual reading from the new buyer. They cannot discuss their account with you but if they have been given readings from the new occupier it will sometime show that their estimate on your bill is incorrect and they will rebill the account.

Mumto3cheekymonkeys

We do not have the readings however it is a good place to start.