Under Charging

Mr_Incredible

When we bought our house in 2005, after a few months we thought our energy bill seems a little low. We phoned and spoke and they sent someone out to assess the meter, then carried on charging at pretty much the same rate as before.

Now in 2014 they're saying they have been under charging and are reviewing records and will be writing to us.

Where do we stand as I'll clearly be frustrated if they try and back charge us any diferential after having raised it to their attention from the get go?

Any wise heads that know of domestic consumer rights codes, laws etc welcome

jd87

In what way have they been undercharging? Is this for gas? Did they think you had a metric meter when it's actually imperial?

Or is it simply a case that the direct debit has been set too low and hasn't been covering the bills?

We need more details.

Mr_Incredible

there is a meter, they haven't been very specific, but clearly its a concern. My question is;

1) how far back can they retrospectively charge any differential in law?
2) are there any code of conduct that they are bound by and what are their implications

jimmy_81

I'm not an expert in utilities metering & charging, but I'd be absolutely astonished if they can retrospectively charge you for the meter reading inaccurately. We've just needed a new meter installed, and the meter is their responsibility; if they've checked it, and agreed at the time it was OK, then they must surely abide by its reading.

As jd87 says, there's quite a bit of information lacking here though. Is this a bill for gas, electricity, or both? Having you been paying monthly direct debits? Have you been submitting meter readings yourself, or has the company been coming out to read them? Have you kept track of meter readings? Etc. etc...

Also, 9 years is ages to have kept the same one rate - have you been with the same company, on the same tariff, all that time?? Have they not contacted you about changes to the rate throughout that time?

Mr_Incredible

hmm looks like the code says 12m only, I'm not so sure

http://www.energy-uk.org.uk/publication/finish/43/412.html

"If suppliers are found to be at fault, an adjustment will be made to reflect any

deficit of payments over 12 months old."

Mr_Incredible

Been with the same company, its gas, and they have allways come and read the meter themselves. I guess I'll see what happens but its certainly their !!!! up if its wrong and we have allways paid on time and even went to the effort initially of calling them when we first moved in to say hey these look a bit low.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

If it is the suppliers error, which it seems to be, they can back bill for 1 year.

Cardew

By 'undercharging' do you mean your Direct Debit has been set too low? and stayed too low for many years.


Have you been getting bills?


Were they based on estimated meter readings?


Have you checked the bills?


You are correct that they can only go back 12 months where they are at fault. However this doesn't usually apply when you have been getting bills.


You haven't said what company. The code is just that - a code of practice - and not a regulation, and not all companies have signed up to that code.


You don't need the company to respond before giving us the answers to the above questions

Mr_Incredible

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

If it is the suppliers error, which it seems to be, they can back bill for 1 year.

Exactly what I'm asking I guess, thanks

societys_child

Cardew wrote: »

By 'undercharging' do you mean your Direct Debit has been set too low? and stayed too low for many years.


Have you been getting bills?


Were they based on estimated meter readings?


Have you checked the bills?

Will we ever know . . .;)

sheffield_lad

Mr_Incredible wrote: »

When we bought our house in 2005, after a few months we thought our energy bill seems a little low. We phoned and spoke and they sent someone out to assess the meter, then carried on charging at pretty much the same rate as before.

Now in 2014 they're saying they have been under charging and are reviewing records and will be writing to us.

Where do we stand as I'll clearly be frustrated if they try and back charge us any diferential after having raised it to their attention from the get go?

Any wise heads that know of domestic consumer rights codes, laws etc welcome

I think I would know what my usage should be and if I thought I was being undercharged I would put that money away not necessarily real but virtually in my head.


I would also not be too surprised when they eventually came to collect their money


Can or will you tell us how much you have been paying for your gas monthly or annually?