Crossed Electricity Meters - Help?

Legacy_user

OK, deep breath...

I've been living in my new-build flat now for two years.

Since I've been here, I've always been aware that my electricity bills have been high (to the point where after only three months I received an electricity bill for a shortfall of around £200). I complained and the outstanding amount was wavered.

As an aside - we don't have meters within our flats, all are in a communal cupboard to which we don't have direct access to. When we want a reading taken, we notify concierge and they go get the reading for us and then email readings back.

I'm single, live by myself and work long hours. Being energy-conscious whenever I'm not in the flat (which is a lot of the time) the only things 'on' are a fridgefreezer and a cordless phone on a cradle.

After complaints to the Managing Agents they've done a site-wide check and found out that meters have been wrongly labelled meaning that I've always been given - and subsequently provided to the electricity company - readings for someone else's flat.

As I've paid more for anothers electricity who can I look to about getting any money back? It's unlikely I'll be given the details of who my meter was crossed with but also the Managing Agent aren't the same company responsible for the development being built and fitted out.

ChumpusRex

Been in exactly the same situation as you. Took ages to sort out, because, just like you, residents had no access to the meters.

You need to take this up with your supplier. They should refund you for any overpayments you have made. In general, this works a lot better if they also supply the other flat which yours has been crossed with. They will have historical readings for both meters, and will be able to deal with both accounts on their own.

They'll send both parties corrected bills; and issue the overpayer a refund, and the underpayer a catch-up bill.

Even if the two properties are with different suppliers, they 2 suppliers will work with each other to exchange meter readings and sort out the bills.

If you changed suppliers part way through the mix-up, then you'll need to contact both suppliers and see if they can work things out - the problem will be tracking down historical readings, but that's the supplier's problem.

System

Hi ChumpusRex,

Thanks for the helpful message - it seems like this is the route I'm going to be going down but with an annoying twist!

I spoke to my current electrical supplier iSupplyenergy today and told them the situation. Despite the fact I've been with them for around six months they essentially washed their hands of me, told me they'd be closing my account, refunding all the money I've paid and returning me to my previous supplier (who though, is still two companies removed from the one I had when I moved into the flat). I'm not currently sure if each energy firm will do this until I land back to Company #1.

What concerns me at the moment is that I'm in limbo between a number of companies, all in the while getting electricity and owing *someone* - but I'm just not sure who. Obviously I'm worried someone might cut me off.

Another tricky thing is that because the meters were mislabelled as soon as the flats were finished, the developer registered the wrong meter against my flat with the national database. This means I keep coming up against the utility companies telling me that the wrong meter is correct even though I tell them otherwise.

insanegloss

Well first of all, you won't be cut off so don't worry about that. Secondly, ensure you're keeping money aside for your ongoing usage.

Next, the supply number is unique to each property is based on the address so as long as your MPAN is clearly for your address, suppliers can tell who supplies who.

Next is to ascertain the correct meter, this is done by a process of turning everything electric off, to ensure you can identify the change in usage next. You then turn everything on, especially high drawing items Eg ovens, kettles and electric heating to show usage. Turning everything back off, your meter should return to no change. You've now identified your meter.

Speaking to your supplier, speak to escaltions team giving all the meter serial numbers, readings etc. They then should resolve the issue. It will take approx 4 weeks max if it involves more than 1 supplier.

CKhalvashi

insanegloss wrote: »

Well first of all, you won't be cut off so don't worry about that. Secondly, ensure you're keeping money aside for your ongoing usage.

Next, the supply number is unique to each property is based on the address so as long as your MPAN is clearly for your address, suppliers can tell who supplies who.

Next is to ascertain the correct meter, this is done by a process of turning everything electric off, to ensure you can identify the change in usage next. You then turn everything on, especially high drawing items Eg ovens, kettles and electric heating to show usage. Turning everything back off, your meter should return to no change. You've now identified your meter.

Speaking to your supplier, speak to escaltions team giving all the meter serial numbers, readings etc. They then should resolve the issue. It will take approx 4 weeks max if it involves more than 1 supplier.

They have 8 weeks to deal with it, however.

As above, when diagnosed, it can be sorted.