Estimated final bill

Becles

I recently changed supplier from nPower to Scottish Power. The final meter readings were logged on the nPower website by me, and passed across to them by Scottish Power.

For some unexplained reason, nPower have ignored these and generated an estimated final bill. I complained and asked if they could recalculate and send me a bill with the correct meter readings used. I've had this response back:

I appreciate that you have provided us with the actual final meter readings for electricity as 29833 units on 15
September 2014 and gas as 6995 units 28 October 2014. I would like to inform you that these electricity and gas meter
readings are well within the tolerance limit. The tolerance limit for electricity is 450 units and gas is 39 units. As this is
the case we are unable to change the meter readings. Rest assured you will not be charged for the same meter readings
twice by both the supplier.

From the explanation provided and the actions I have taken, I am confident that I have been able to put things right for
you.

I've been overcharged 143 units on the electric and 20 units on the gas. At 16.05p on the electric (£22.95) and 4.33p on the gas (£0.87), it's an overcharge of £23.82.

I know it's not a lot but I begrudge paying extra when I've already paid Scottish Power for energy used since the meter readings taken on the changeover dates.

Are they allowed to estimate final bills? What should I do next?

diamond_dave

I don't think that I have EVER switched without the companies getting the readings wrong. This time, switching from Npower to E.on, I gave the readings to BOTH of them to ensure that things went smoothly. Guess what? Npower have issued a final ESTIMATED bill and blame the problem on E.on! Naturally, E.on blame it on Npower. Why can this never go smoothly? I am still waiting for a final bill from Scottish power from the switch in April. They are still owed almost £60 but won't get paid until I get a final accurate bill.

System

The 'short' answer is Yes. It can happen for a number of reasons. The thing that you need to check is that the opening readings and closing readings agree (ie, they are the same). Any difference in cost to you will be in pence. If they do not agree, then raise a complaint with both suppliers. The dispute will then be referred to a third party for resolution.

Ps. There have been cases of customers 'massaging' meter readings on a switch. This why energy companies take customer readings with a measure of doubt.

molerat

If your new supplier is using the same opening readings as the old supplier final readings then that is OK. If however they are using different readings then it is not acceptable. The "tolerance" is so that they do not have to use your supplied readings but both must use the same readings but the CS in the energy supply companies are too thick to understand the subtle difference.

If they are not using the same readings then time for a WRITTEN COMPLAINT disputing the bill, if not sorted to your satisafction in 8 weeks then pass it up to the ombudsman and with any luck they will get off their big fat useless !!!!!! and sort NP out !

Becles

Scottish Power have used the meter readings supplied by me on the changeover dates. I have an email from them confirming these are the values they have applied to my account from the opening date.

System

Becles wrote: »

Scottish Power have used the meter readings supplied by me on the changeover dates. I have an email from them confirming these are the values they have applied to my account from the opening date.

In that case, Complain to your old supplier as they either have to accept the readings that you have given or raise a dispute with Scottish Power.

matelodave

Suggest to them that as they think tolerance limit is 450 & 39 units you'll knock of the tolerance from the reading and pay them the lesser amount.


I had a similar argument in a pub when they suggested that thye were allowed 5% head on a pint of beer, I offered them the selling pice per pint less 5% - they topped it up

Cardew

Not surprising that Npower and Scottish Power can't get it right.


It is the gaining supplier(SP) that have to get Npower to agree the meter readings. So IMO it is SP at fault. Put in a complaint to them and get the additional money you paid to Npower refunded.

yogurtspy

A similar thing happened to me. Switched from Scottish Power to EDF. Supplied EDF with accurate readings when they asked for them.

Final electric bill from Scottish Power was 80 odd units over estimated. EDF used the correct readings I supplied.

Raised it with EDF on 12th December, and not heard a dicky-bird since then.

[Deleted User]

molerat wrote: »

If your new supplier is using the same opening readings as the old supplier final readings then that is OK. If however they are using different readings then it is not acceptable. The "tolerance" is so that they do not have to use your supplied readings but both must use the same readings but the CS in the energy supply companies are too thick to understand the subtle difference.

If they are not using the same readings then time for a WRITTEN COMPLAINT disputing the bill, if not sorted to your satisafction in 8 weeks then pass it up to the ombudsman and with any luck they will get off their big fat useless !!!!!! and sort NP out !

They definitely do "massage " the final readings. Really to do it properly , just before leaving the house for the last time, before closing the front door, that is the time to note the readings not two weeks before leaving. Thats why there are so many disputes as the incoming occupier also notes down the readings maybe a few days after moving in. The UK public can t be trusted to act correctly and honestly so I dont blame Npower and others for taking start/end reads with a pinch of salt and to use their own guestimate up to the end date, it will be more likely to be accurate.

nPower

Becles wrote: »

I recently changed supplier from nPower to Scottish Power. The final meter readings were logged on the nPower website by me, and passed across to them by Scottish Power.

For some unexplained reason, nPower have ignored these and generated an estimated final bill. I complained and asked if they could recalculate and send me a bill with the correct meter readings used. I've had this response back:

I appreciate that you have provided us with the actual final meter readings for electricity as 29833 units on 15
September 2014 and gas as 6995 units 28 October 2014. I would like to inform you that these electricity and gas meter
readings are well within the tolerance limit. The tolerance limit for electricity is 450 units and gas is 39 units. As this is
the case we are unable to change the meter readings. Rest assured you will not be charged for the same meter readings
twice by both the supplier.

From the explanation provided and the actions I have taken, I am confident that I have been able to put things right for
you.

I've been overcharged 143 units on the electric and 20 units on the gas. At 16.05p on the electric (£22.95) and 4.33p on the gas (£0.87), it's an overcharge of £23.82.

I know it's not a lot but I begrudge paying extra when I've already paid Scottish Power for energy used since the meter readings taken on the changeover dates.

Are they allowed to estimate final bills? What should I do next?

Hi Becles

Thanks for your post.

Whilst it's true that if the meter reads lie within a "tolerance limit", companies wouldn't look to update these, you shouldn't be charged twice for the same energy units.

I'd be grateful if you could check to see what meter readings Scottish Power have used to start your account. If these differ from the ones we've used to close the account (and it isn't to your financial advantage), please get in touch using the details on our profile page along with the reads Scottish Power used and I'll be happy to get this updated for you. If you can mark your email as MSE in the subject header so we know where the query has originated from, that'd be really helpful.

Regards

Jess