Deemed energy supply problem

kev100_2

footyguy wrote: »

I suggest you follow the suppliers complaint procedure rather than listen to some phone jockey.

(Or tell them to put the bill in the name of a Mr D. Cameron, c/o 10 Downing Street, London )

I like your style :T:rotfl:

footyguy

kev100 wrote: »

We are receiving the bill because 145 have told Npower we are the new account holders and that the bill now has to go to us. I dont know the ins and outs of it, and how their billing system works. but the bill used to go to 145, and now since 1 month ago its started to come to us, with our name on it.

Oh, it it's that simple, we should all put all our bills in the name of Mr D. Cameron, c/o 10 Downing Street , London :cool:

The ins & outs of it appear, on the face of it, that the person responsible at 145 has committed fraud by impersonation. The supplier will investigate and when they discover they are the victim of such fraud, will probably take appropriate action involving the appropriate authorities.

You might want to have a word with your neighbour about this too - but I suspect they maybe the type of person who doesn't care. They may have a long time to think about it in the future

kev100_2

footyguy wrote: »

Oh, it it's that simple, we should all put all our bills in the name of Mr D Cameron, c/o 10 Dowing Street , London :cool:

What I cant understand is there is no procedure in place to confirm when an account name is changed, just needs a letter or email (if they have the email address) to confirm .. then again if they did things correctly how would they be able to rip off consumers and get away with it.

Mrs_Arcanum

kev100 wrote: »

What I cant understand is there is no procedure in place to confirm when an account name is changed, just needs a letter or email (if they have the email address) to confirm .. then again if they did things correctly how would they be able to rip off consumers and get away with it.

Does seem really strange. I know that we have to fill out Change of Tenancy forms to get bills changed to someone else, who then in turn have to agree to that change.

The only simple change is if you are agreeing to pay for a particular supply. Then they are quite happy to take your word for it. :rotfl:

All I can say is just be glad you are not dealing with Total. Who in my experience are even worse shysters than N-Power.

footyguy

kev100 wrote: »

What I cant understand is there is no procedure in place to confirm when an account name is changed, just needs a letter or email (if they have the email address) to confirm .. then again if they did things correctly how would they be able to rip off consumers and get away with it.

There is. You have to confirm you are who you say you are and that you are responsible for the property being supplied
(sometimes evidence is asked for, sometimes people are taken at their word ... at least initially)

ChumpusRex

Badly mistaken reply. Please disregard.

Cardew

kev100 wrote: »

What I cant understand is there is no procedure in place to confirm when an account name is changed, just needs a letter or email (if they have the email address) to confirm .. then again if they did things correctly how would they be able to rip off consumers and get away with it.

This situation arose when the gas/electricity supply moved from a single supplier and gave occupants the ability to switch to other companies.

In days of yore the electricity company could/would disconnect the supply unless the incoming occupant visited the 'electricity shop' before they moved in and arranged for the supply to connected before they moved in; this could involve paying a deposit. Many times new occupants would have to wait for electricity to be re-connected.

The whole purpose of the deemed contract provision introduced in the Electricity Act was to benefit customers - we can move into a property knowing gas/electricity is connected. It is not something that suits the Energy company as there are endless disputes over the closing readings for the outgoing occupant(they often don't bother to inform the company they are moving) and the opening readings for the incoming occupant - who equally don't supply meter readings on the date they become responsible.

So how do you suggest the company 'do things properly'? What is the difference between the customer(No 145 in this instance) giving incorrect details by sending a letter, an email or a phone call?

How are the company 'ripping of consumers'? The electricity has been used and the electricity company simply want it paid - they apparently have been given incorrect information on whom to bill; and how do they know if No 144 or 145 is correct?

Is it possible that the meter was historically assigned to No144 but always paid by No145? Bills for my daughter's flat when at university were sent to my address and I paid.

Mrs_Arcanum

ChumpusRex wrote: »

It doesn't matter that you've never used the lights. The bill needs to be passed to the freeholder (or their appointed manager) of the property to pay. If you are the freeholder or own a share of freehold, or if you maintain the shared areas then it is up to you to sort it out.

If there is nothing in your lease about who should pay, then you will need to argue out the split of the bill with the owner of the other flat.

The bill will not go away if you keep bouncing it back to the supplier. The only thing that will solve the problem is agreeing with the owner if the other flat as to who will pay what share.

The OP is neither freeholder or managing agent for no 145. They own 144. Unfortunately it looks like the historical ownership was 145 (the location of the meter) but the new owners are trying to pass it off on no 144.

The OP does not need or use the lights so for them it would be simpler to just get the supply de-energised.

SwanJon

Kev - to get this resolved you are going to need to put aside who uses the electricity. There are plenty of situations where the person using the supply is not the one paying the bill to the supplier, especially with business accounts.

kev100 wrote: »

Its also on a business account bill

This also means that it would not come under the back billing rule.

Mrs_Arcanum wrote: »

Back Billing beyond a year is not allowed.

It seems like phoning isn't working. Put everyting down in a letter. Include photographs of the meter (to show the serial number and location). You can email this, but for the price of a stamp I would send it on paper.

As part of the letter explain what you would like to happen. (account closed as if it had never opened, new one opened addressed to the leaseholder/145).

Speak to your neighbours, it'll be worth it in the long run.

Without knowing more about the layout and history of the two properties it may be difficult to know who is responsible for this - but remember that removing the meter will solve the problem fir the future

kev100 wrote: »

What I cant understand is there is no procedure in place to confirm when an account name is changed, just needs a letter or email (if they have the email address) to confirm .. then again if they did things correctly how would they be able to rip off consumers and get away with it.

What if I moved in and the letting agents gave my name. Supplier writes to me and I say "No, I'm not responsible"?
Most times when suppliers are given customers names by a third party there is no problem, you have to admit that this case is a bit unusual.

kev100_2

Thanks everybody.

I have written directly to the CEO of Npower and will see if that does anygood (if I hit a brick wall then I always write directly to the CEO and that usually gives me a good outcome).
I think I will write to Npower and tell them to disconnect the supply, but at the same time make it clear that we are not admitting responsibility or acknowledgement that we are the bill payers or the account holder, and that we are in dispute of the facts.

Not sure on what the legal stance would be to the owner of 145 if he doesnt supply lighting in a dark communal area for his tenents .. maybe some health and safety implications ..