Possibly been reading wrong meter for 2.5 years??

[Deleted User]

What the supplier thinks is nt really important, its our proper bills which come first. suppliers are happy if a money supply is coming in. they dont know much about who s meter is who s, its not their concern.There could be many different suppliers in a big communal cupboards. Its easy enough to sort out amongst themselves who s meter is whos. Some will be getting robbed, others will be getting off lightly. sitting back and relying on serial numbers is hopeless. I have seen distressing accounts where little old ladys were copping for a bunch of doley dossers massive bills in communal flats. The culprit to blame was the idiot in the hard hat who starts the ball rolling messing up all the serial numbers in the first place. I have never heard of the supplier taking it in their own hands and sending someone out to sort it because its not possible for them to succeed. Load tests are the only way.. two people with mobiles in the meter cupboard for each flat. and then properly label the meter and inform supplier of the correct meter serial number

victor2

sacsquacco wrote: »

Load tests are the only way.. two people with mobiles in the meter cupboard for each flat. and then properly label the meter and inform supplier of the correct meter serial number

Surely the supplier wouldn't just take a tenant's word for changing meters over? I'm not familiar with the process, but feel there must be more involved than that.

[Deleted User]

They would Victor2, the suppliers have a surprising trust in all customers nowadays.sending a meter reader out specially would cost them £20 or so, they would nt want that would they. ? at the next meter reading by us ,confirmation would take place to verify follow on reads. That could be years in advance tho sometimes. We cant always access communal meter cupboards. some suppliers only send us out once a year or even two years. BG have recently gone to once a year( attempts) to read electric prepay meters.. the most fiddled meter . All cost cutting measures of course. Or profit raising if you like

[Deleted User]

They take customers words on start readings, end readings and every meter reading in between for years without proper verification. They could all be completely bogus readings.We also are turned away from checking meters nowadays on a regular basis. I have properties where no one ever has got in to see the meters in over ten years. They dont enforce the 2 year minimum inspection rule ( which is or has now changed to FIVE years ) They would nt accept a meter exchange from a customer but a meter serial number correction would be accepted. Its not uncommon to have several digits not tallying. I personally havent been sent out to verify a meter serial number very often, its more usual to verify if a meter exchange has taken place

Wywth

sacsquacco wrote: »

They take customers words on start readings, end readings and every meter reading in between for years without proper verification. ...

Start and end readings only apply where there is a change of supplier and/or change of tenancy/ownership, etc.

Where they are as a result of a change of supplier, then the outgoing supplier (in the case of a start reading) has to agree the meter reading. In the case of an end reading, the supplier can (and sometimes does) disagree with such reading passed to them by the new supplier.

In the case of a change of account holder, then the start reading need to coincide with the final reading from the previous account holder. Similarly, the end reading needs to coincide with the start reading of the new account holder.

Meters should be attempted to be read (and need to be in the case of gas) at least once every 2 years. Any estimated readings in the meantime will be reviewed (and adjusted if necessary) when an actual meter reading is obtained provided

[Deleted User]

Thanks Wyworth, yes in an ideal world thats how it works, but suppliers have been accepting estimated end reads, ( where outgoer cant be bothered ) and estimated start readings. Many new occupiers, from all walks of life dont know the rules and dont put in start readings anyway. Never mind that the gas meters "need " to be read, the suppliers are nt bothered and havent been for years, indeed prepays have been escaping ALL 2 year inspections for years. I alerted OFGEM to this abuse and a few months later BG did start to send us on 2 year inspections on prepays. But I still dont get in to a good proportion of prepay must read meters ( like today when I tried for one that has nt been seen in donkeys years. The owner was in but would nt open the door )

Wywth

I suggest you refer your company ('s customer) to the terms of their supply licence.

The relevant sections make no reference of the type of meter (credit or PPM) the consumer has fitted.

Where a change of account holder occurs, and the account holder can't be bothered (or claims not to know), they presumably also can't be bothered (or perhaps know) about who pays for what. Ultimately the supplier doesn't care either as long as they get the money owed.

Where supply meters are changed from from property to another, one customer is sure to be upset when he is faced with a large bill. I would hope the supplier gets their facts in order before subjecting a customer to perhaps an incorrect change. I would expect claims for compo all round in the event of such unprofessionalism and ineptness from a supplier.

[Deleted User]

Yes, I do that, we have a card from BG which states that about the terms of the licence to supply. If I get too pushy I get it in the ear from my manager who does nt want to deal with customers complaints at all. any real suspicious ones ( 2 today ) I send direct to RPU who check the ammount paid per year. The ammount they are interested in with prepays is only £50 quid a year and less on electric, should be a lot higher I think