Haven't signed, but got a bill

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi MikeH2508

Already some excellent advice on here. Thanks guys.

Just thought I'd confirm a couple of things. As has been said, we continue to supply properties following a change of responsibility under the terms of a deemed contract.

If the new occupier doesn't contact us to let us know their details and requirements, we'll continue to supply based on the info we already have on the account. This will have usually come from the previous occupier or landlord/letting agent.

In these circumstances, energy will be supplied against our standard tariff as this doesn't have any tie-ins. This leaves customers free to change supplier at any time without penalty.

When changing supplier, it's the responsibility of the gaining supplier to let the losing supplier have the meter readings they intend to use to open the new account. The losing supplier will use the same readings to close their account.

Is the final bill we've sent based on the correct opening and closing readings? If it is, it sounds valid.

However, please let us know if the readings used are incorrect and you've the right readings. We'll be happy to re-bill to the correct readings.

Hope this explains what happens. Let me know if you need any more info as will be happy to help.

Malc

jd87

Schedule 6 Paragraph 3(1) of the Electricity Act 1989
Schedule 2B Paragraph 8(1) of the Gas Act 1986

End of story.

Cardew

undaunted wrote: »

The deemed contract system might not be so bad if it was time limited and somebody enforced license conditions (eg see the current thread from the British Gas customer who says they didn't do so), but they certainly shouldn't be able to rely upon it for ever more or get away with failing to notify customers of terms & conditions within a short time scale.

If they don't know who the customer is within say 3 months (or less) and have an agreed tariff for the future then yes they should notify an intention to (and then if necessary act to) cut it off until they do.

Given that in the majority of cases the solicitors or landlord should have full knowledge of who will be in & out when and most outgoing consumers will want to tell the supplier in order to ensure they aren't left with the next occupiers bills there is no sensible reason that arrangements couldn't be made in advance & if, in the odd cases, there is any doubt then it wouldn't be rocket science to "contact David Cameron & ask if he can confirm his departure / Mr Millibands arrival"

It should never be impossible to know who is supplying the property as that is at odds with the suppliers license conditions - requiring them to notify the consumer of terms & conditions within a reasonable time

Personally I don't believe the old system was so terrible or difficult for the consumer - I think it was just more trouble and expense for the suppliers & so they lobbied for the current poor system to be put in place

I tend to agree with you that the deemed contracts system does not work well in some situations.

However that is because so many people - both the outgoing and incoming occupants - do not take the correct actions; particularly in rented accomodation.

Also, unless informed, the utility company simply don't know that the old occupant has left; and if the property is unoccupied or not.

I suspect the Utility companies would welcome the chance to cut off supplies far more quickly than allowed at present. People can run up bills of many £hundreds and the only sanction is a court order to fit a pre-pay meter with no realistic chance of the debt being repaid.

silverwhistle

Cardew wrote: »

I tend to agree with you that the deemed contracts system does not work well in some situations.

However that is because so many people - both the outgoing and incoming occupants - do not take the correct actions; particularly in rented accomodation.

Also, unless informed, the utility company simply don't know that the old occupant has left; and if the property is unoccupied or not.

I suspect the Utility companies would welcome the chance to cut off supplies far more quickly than allowed at present. People can run up bills of many £hundreds and the only sanction is a court order to fit a pre-pay meter with no realistic chance of the debt being repaid.

Amen! Just moved back to my rented out property and although the utility eventually managed to get in to install key meters for the tenant, in the couple of days after my return before I sorted it out they were taking £3 a day against his debt which meant my top-up disappeared rapidly!

Yesterday I received a letter asking for any information as to where he had gone. I've a rough idea, but also suggested to them that I'd rather not know the exact address myself as I'd be tempted to crush his appendages with two bricks, such was the state he (and the housing association) left the property.

Many years ago when I first did my general training at a leccy board we had a job type for the meter operatives called RLO - Read and Leave On. I can assure people that it's far better to do that and have deemed contracts than the alternative..

MikeH2508

Thanks for all the replies, it was as I suspected but I am very greatful of the debate we started, I'm still in the negotiations stage as someone suggested, it could all be worse, virgin/sky bills, milk deliveries, newspapers, ummmm what else could we get on regular supply inherited from the previous tenant?

Kernel_Sanders

Does this 'deemed contract' situation only arise when the electricity supply has not been cut off? Does the same apply to gas?

macman

Yes, gas and electricity.

ValHaller

MikeH2508 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, it was as I suspected but I am very greatful of the debate we started, I'm still in the negotiations stage as someone suggested, it could all be worse, virgin/sky bills, milk deliveries, newspapers, ummmm what else could we get on regular supply inherited from the previous tenant?

Actually, this highlights the benefits of the deemed contract system. Virgin, Sky, the milkman and the paper shop could all decline you on your credit record or just because they don't like your postcode. At least with a deemed contract, there will always be one supplier compelled to supply gas or electricity.

silverwhistle

MikeH2508 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, it was as I suspected but I am very greatful of the debate we started, I'm still in the negotiations stage as someone suggested, it could all be worse, virgin/sky bills, milk deliveries, newspapers, ummmm what else could we get on regular supply inherited from the previous tenant?

Don't forget water! The utilities have certain service obligations so it seems fair to protect them for that reason. Four pints of milk left on your doorstep, a couple of papers in your letter box and an unpaid bill and the service will be cut, with no awkward consequences to the household being supplied. I'm glad I don't have the previous tenant's phone number as I suspect I'd be getting lots of irate calls!

lstar337

Cardew wrote: »

I tend to agree with you that the deemed contracts system does not work well in some situations.

However that is because so many people - both the outgoing and incoming occupants - do not take the correct actions; particularly in rented accomodation.

Yes, especially if there are PrePay meters.

I have to admit, I knew nothing about the deemed contracts or what I should be doing about the utilities when I moved into my flat.

The landlord said "This is the key to your electric meter, you can top it up across the street". I had no idea the landlord was giving me such crappy information.

Fortunately I took responsibility and contacted the utility company anyway, it was then that I found out what I should be doing.

With a PrePay meter, it is so easy to just use the key that is there and never even know who your provider is.

I think Deemed contracts are necessary, but I think more needs to be done to inform/educate people on their ins and outs.

We also need less crappy landlords going around spouting the same rubbish that mine did!