Utility Bill Nightmare

Shaun1980

Hi All,

I am hoping to get some advice on the following situation:

I was renting a flat for 6 months (Sept 2012 - March 2013) and was unaware at the time about meter readings vs estimates from the supplier. This flat was handled by a private landlord and not an agency - which I have used before and they always got meter readings etc for the tenants.

NPower supplied the flats electricity (no gas) and gave an estimate which was paid before energy supplier was switched to EDF.

I had two estimated bills from EDF during my stay and paid both and the left but again the land lord didn't show me where the meter was (this was a block of flats) or provide an accurate meter reading on starting the tenancy form.

I have recently received a bill from EDF for £1400 and the landlord has told the supplier it is my bill - the landlord apparently provided them with a meter reading 16th Sept 2013

The flat's energy consumption rating is 274 kwh/m per year and is a 64 m2 floor space.

I have spoken to EDF and me its a 3rd party dispute and put the account on hold.

I have no idea where to go from here to prove that this is not my bill and is crazy that I could have run up a bill like this in 6 months on top of the bills I actually paid (approx £300).

Does anyone have any advice?

Much appreciated thanks

S

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

EDF are unfortunately correct that it is a third party dispute between you and Landlord and they cannot take sides.

It is pretty obvious that you would not have used electricity to the value of £1,700 in a small flat in 6 months.

Were the estimated bills from EDF that you paid, AND the latest £1,400 bill in your name?

Do you know if the meter reading given to EDF when you switched from Npower was estimated or actual? It would normally be the latter.

Was it your decision, or the landlord's, to switch from Npower to EDF?

It might well be that you are paying for the previous occupant's consumption of electricity; or the landlord has given the wrong present reading to EDF.

If you cannot sort the matter out amicably with the landlord you might have to take him to the Small Claims Court.

Shaun1980

Hi, Thanks for the response.

The switch over reading was estimated as was the reading for Npower when we first moved into the flat. The EDF bill is in our name not the landlords, we switched to EDF but only because they supplied our previous flat and we had no trouble with them. We have emailled the landlord but as of yet have no reply. We are going to speak to Npower tomorrow to find out when the last accurate meter reading was taken as I fear they have been estimates for quite some time.

Thanks again for the response.

victor2

It's the curse of estimated readings. Surprised they were accepted for a change of supplier though.
What happened between March 2013 (when you moved out) and September (when you say the landlord read the meter)?
There must have been a reading and final bill, even if estimated, when you moved out. Is it now a catch-up caused by an actual reading after estimated ones. If so, has only a proportion of the catch-up been applied to your tenancy?
I'd call EDF if I were you and get more information, unless you already have it.

Shaun1980

Hi thanks and yes when we moved out there was a final bill, and yes it was estimated.

It seems like a catch-up caused by an actual reading (Sept 13 by landlord) after estimated ones. EDF said the landlord said we were responsible even though we moved out months ago.

Is it possible that Npower's estimate was incorrect and has caused a knock on effect too? Do you think it is worth getting in touch with them to find out the last definite meter reading?

Cardew

You are obviously not responsible for the period March to 13 September 2013.

If you cannot reach some agreement with the landlord, I would write(recorded delivery) to EDF stating that you moved out in March 2013 and settled the final bill with them in March, so the bill shouldn't be in your name.

It is important you send them copies of your old rental agreement and proof that you moved into your present address in March 2013.

To be fair to the landlord it is probable that you owe him some of the money, as you only paid £300 for 6 months over winter in an all electric flat.

ALB132

Hi guys,

I have recently encountered a similar problem with EDF after switching from Scottish Power.
I have a final statement from Scottish Power with an 'actual' reading of 3632 Kw dated 23rd September 2012. I recently sold the house in September 2013.
I have 2 bills from EDF since I swicthed in 2012. The first one EDF say they took a reading for 11286 Kw in April 2013, and the second was taken in September 2013, for 12491 Kw.

I'm sure this is self explanatory. They basically say we used 7654 Kw over a 6 month period. I checked the meter reading when I moved out on 20th September 2013 and it was 12490.

We have a 2 bedroom house built in 2009 which has always been extremely efficient on heat and electricity.

I'm baffled but unsure what I can do about it?? I assume the 'actual' from my previous supplier was incorrect. I'm not sure I ever sent a meter reading to EDF when I switched to them, or over the period of time (1 year) using them. Could their engineer have tampered with the meter?

Should I get an independent engineer to investigate and inspect the meter?

victor2

It is highly unlikely the meter has been tampered with or had some sort of fault that caused it to read high for 6 months and then fix itself. You would have to pay for the meter to be tested as I suspect the conclusion would be that it is fine.
Do you have any record of readings prior to 23 Sep 2012? However, if you also use electricity for heating, then maybe the readings are correct and the difference is because you are comparing winter usage to summer.