Standing charge payable after meter removal

emv

I have 2 meters at my property (both deemed commercial), one of which serviced night storage meters which were removed when I moved in. I've been paying a standing charge only for this meter & asked to have it removed back in January as I was told this was the only way I could stop paying the standing charge. Although I was told that the meter should be removed within 28 days, it still hasn't been & I've just had an appointment through for August. I informed the supplier that I wouldn't pay the standing charge past March as I paid for meter removal back in January.

Today I received an e-mail telling me that even after the meter removal the standing charge would still be payable as "we will still be servicing your supply point." I presume this must mean that the standing charge on the OTHER meter will still be payable but in my e-mail I'd specifically referred to the meter that is being removed. I've been told I need to contact the distribution company to remove the supply.

Does this seem right? If so, I do think that the person I initially discussed meter removal with should have told me this.

naedanger

emv wrote: »

I have 2 meters at my property (both deemed commercial), one of which serviced night storage meters which were removed when I moved in. I've been paying a standing charge only for this meter & asked to have it removed back in January as I was told this was the only way I could stop paying the standing charge. Although I was told that the meter should be removed within 28 days, it still hasn't been & I've just had an appointment through for August. I informed the supplier that I wouldn't pay the standing charge past March as I paid for meter removal back in January.

Today I received an e-mail telling me that even after the meter removal the standing charge would still be payable as "we will still be servicing your supply point." I presume this must mean that the standing charge on the OTHER meter will still be payable but in my e-mail I'd specifically referred to the meter that is being removed. I've been told I need to contact the distribution company to remove the supply.

Does this seem right? If so, I do think that the person I initially discussed meter removal with should have told me this.

It does not seem right to me that your supplier should be telling you this now.

If I were you I would put the points you are making here to your supplier in writing. If they don't change their stance back to what they originally said (or implied) then you should complain in writing. If the matter is still not resolved to your satisfaction after 8 weeks you can take your case to the ombudsman, who is supposed to be independent.

Edit: Just realised your complaint is about a business supply. My suggestion of, if necessary, taking the matter to the Ombudsman is only valid if the business is a small (micro) business because larger businesses are not within the Ombudsman's remit.

spiro

You say you have 2 meters, do you have 2 supply numbers (S) on your bills or one? If you have 2 S numbers (MPANs) you will be paying a standing charge for each one. Once the meter connected to one MPAN has been removed you will need the spare MPAN disconnected, your supplier should request the DNO to do this but if it requires a physical disconnection because you have 2 supply cables the DNO will charge to remove the cable. If it is a logical disconnection, no cableto remove, this should be FOC. If you have 2 meters and 1 MPAN you should only be paying 1 standing charge but this will continue after the meter is removed.

[Deleted User]

I know that once the meters are removed the standing charges stop . I ve seen it happening after one commercial unit, which was paying £400 a year standing charges, had the charges stop after I told the occupier to remove the meter which never used gas from day one. over £400 for a small domestic sized U6 meter..This was with BG.There is nothing left to "service ".The pipe is capped.

spiro

sacsquacco wrote: »

I know that once the meters are removed the standing charges stop . I ve seen it happening after one commercial unit, which was paying £400 a year standing charges, had the charges stop after I told the occupier to remove the meter which never used gas from day one. over £400 for a small domestic sized U6 meter..This was with BG.There is nothing left to "service ".The pipe is capped.

But with electicity there is still the main fuse etc still in place. For de-energised sites the meter reader must inspect it every year to ensure the site is still de-energised, this includes new MPANs the supplier has registered but the property hadn't even been built.

footyguy

emv wrote: »

I have 2 meters at my property (both deemed commercial), one of which serviced night storage meters which were removed when I moved in. I've been paying a standing charge only for this meter & asked to have it removed back in January as I was told this was the only way I could stop paying the standing charge. Although I was told that the meter should be removed within 28 days, it still hasn't been & I've just had an appointment through for August. I informed the supplier that I wouldn't pay the standing charge past March as I paid for meter removal back in January.

Today I received an e-mail telling me that even after the meter removal the standing charge would still be payable as "we will still be servicing your supply point." I presume this must mean that the standing charge on the OTHER meter will still be payable but in my e-mail I'd specifically referred to the meter that is being removed. I've been told I need to contact the distribution company to remove the supply.

Does this seem right? If so, I do think that the person I initially discussed meter removal with should have told me this.

Why is it taking so long to disconnect you?

What are you paying a supplier for if they are telling you to contact someone else to sort out your supply issues?

I'd start by raising a formal complaint in line with the supplier's complaint procedure, and then if necessary, escalate the matter to the ombudsman when appropriate. I'm sure a mutually acceptable agreed resolution will then be found

[Deleted User]

spiro wrote: »

But with electicity there is still the main fuse etc still in place. For de-energised sites the meter reader must inspect it every year to ensure the site is still de-energised, this includes new MPANs the supplier has registered but the property hadn't even been built.

I can t recall ever doing any de energised sites, once the electric meters are removed I never go again.Maybe the first quarter after the removal I ll turn up to see where a trio of meters once sat, but then thats it.

emv

I have no idea why it's taking so long, I've chased the appointment repeatedly. I called the distribution company earlier who said the person who removes the meter will also remove the fuse & there is no way any charges should be payable after that.

spiro

sacsquacco wrote: »

I can t recall ever doing any de energised sites, once the electric meters are removed I never go again.Maybe the first quarter after the removal I ll turn up to see where a trio of meters once sat, but then thats it.

If you work for a NHHDC it is the DC obligation to visit annual, this is specified in the DCs BSCP.

emv

Just back from a few days away (with electrician on site, briefed to open meter cupboard for meter removal) - the meter is still here! Had a message from Haven Power saying that their 3rd party contractor had declined the appointment & at the moment they can't even get us an appointment for September! I had submitted a formal complaint & requested a refund of standing charges payable from when removal should have taken place March at latest) but no news. :-(

emv

So just as an update the meter is now out. But the supplier (Haven) are still saying that they will make a charge as we need to ask the supply company to disconnect us & they will charge us until that happens. They have also said that the disconnection fee will be 'substantial'. So I would have been better off potentially paying £15 a month standing charge. I've paid about £165 for meter removal so far which is 11 months rental anyway!