Ridiculous price raise led to leaving home and bad credit £100-£600 per month for one

Happylady2

I'm completely stuck what to do. I was with npower for years and paid £100 a month for has and electric for my family of three. This resulted in yearly overpayment around £400 everytime. In 2012-2013 my children left and I went travelling so rented my home out. On my return the energy company demanded £180 a month though it was now only me. There was no debt from the tenant. As I had no choice I agreed to this and set up direct debit but they then proceeded to take £220 saying they under estimated. Numerous frustrating calls resulted and promises of review. I gave meter readings in this period and was told monthly estimate would come down. I cancelled direct debit as I had no faith in them. I was smart to do so, bills received continued to increase to ultimately £600 a month. I gave up and left my home and moved in with my parents as at this point debt collector letters and threats were endless. I have never had bad credit before but now face a bill of £2500 for less than twelve months gas and electric. I refuse to pay as it's lunacy but get no where speaking to company. It's ultimately made me homeless, frightened and a bad risk. Any ideas how to get out of this?

lvf

There has to be a reason why you have been billed this amount. You say there was no debt from the previous tenant, so I assume you contacted them and opened a new account in your name?

You say you took regular meter readings, do you still have the opening meter reads and the closing or most recent reads?

Do you have your unit rates and standing charge of your tariff, including any discounts or change of tariff in the middle? Have you calculated to ensure this bill is actually correct?

You say the 'bills increased to nearly £600 a month', did you continue to make payments in this time, or because you believed nPower were wrong that you withheld payment?

I could be (actually I really hope) I am wrong, but I feel we are only getting one side of the story, but hopefully with the above information it can become a bit clearer.

Cardew

Happylady2 wrote: »

Any ideas how to get out of this?

Welcome to the forum.


There is insufficient information in your post for anyone to offer advice. For instance:


When(date) did you return to the property?


Did you personally check the meter readings when you moved back?


Do you have a poor credit record?


How much gas and electricity(in kWh) do Npower say you have used? and over what period?

maas

Im not quite sure I follow this.

Your DD was increased and you didnt like it (had no faith) and so you cancelled it. This lack of payments led to a big debt being built up leading to letters which you ignored and then you moved out?

Npower are chasing you for money, for energy they think you have used.

You need to cross reference the meter readings on the final actual bill and then you'll know where you stand with how much energy you used and how much you owe.

Happylady2

Firstly whilst I appreciate any advice I find comments suggesting I am lying insensitive. I have no need to present a false picture and find the suggestion a little rude. I cancelled the direct debit as I couldn't afford to pay the increasing rate, I'm perhaps not in the financial situation of those making comments on this situation. I returned to UK in May 2012 and left in January 2013 my home. I own my home and hold a mortgage as no issue has ever previously been raised about my credit rating or character. I now rent out the property out again as I found it impossible to resolve the matter. It was repeatedly promised in all calls made to npower and they would admit their mistake followed by further bills increasing monthly amounts, due not a build up. The maths clearly shows that isn't the case.
I am very aware I am not the only person that has experienced this kind of service from npower and was looking for advice to challenge, confirm my actual bill and pay what is truly outstanding.

spiro

Happylady2 wrote: »

Firstly whilst I appreciate any advice I find comments suggesting I am lying insensitive. I have no need to present a false picture and find the suggestion a little rude. I cancelled the direct debit as I couldn't afford to pay the increasing rate, I'm perhaps not in the financial situation of those making comments on this situation. I returned to UK in May 2012 and left in January 2013 my home. I own my home and hold a mortgage as no issue has ever previously been raised about my credit rating or character. I now rent out the property out again as I found it impossible to resolve the matter. It was repeatedly promised in all calls made to npower and they would admit their mistake followed by further bills increasing monthly amounts, due not a build up. The maths clearly shows that isn't the case.
I am very aware I am not the only person that has experienced this kind of service from npower and was looking for advice to challenge, confirm my actual bill and pay what is truly outstanding.

You haven't provided any information for people to help you
When you moved back into the property what was the date and the gas and electricity readings?
What was the date and readings when you moved out?
How much money did you pay during that time?
How much do they say you still owe?
Do the readings on your first and last bill match your move in and out readings?

Cardew

Happylady2 wrote: »

Firstly whilst I appreciate any advice I find comments suggesting I am lying insensitive. I have no need to present a false picture and find the suggestion a little rude.

The maths clearly shows that isn't the case.

I am very aware I am not the only person that has experienced this kind of service from npower and was looking for advice to challenge, confirm my actual bill and pay what is truly outstanding.

We are all aware of Npower's shortcomings.


However, you haven't presented any 'picture' about dates, meter readings and consumption in kWh on the disputed bills. You also haven't given any detail of 'the maths'.

If you have had endless correspondence with debt collectors, how much of their charges are included in the £2,500 debt?

enekomh

I am not going to say you are free of debt with Npower, but I've had and still having problems with them about incorrect billing. Keep raising complaints and if necessary request to speak with Carole Allison who's supposed to be the highest in the rank of executive complaints.