Powergen bill, time limit.

Twainy

Hi, Just discovered this site and I'm very impressed.
Now, to my problem.
I have been with Powergen electricity for about 4 years and they failed to take a reading when we moved in although we supplied them with one.
To cut a very long story short, they told me that they had been underbilling me for at least 2 years since we moved in and now want nearly £900 from me.
I heard recently that there is a time limit of 12 months within which they must bill you for what you have used?
Is this true? Can they chase me to pay amounts up to 4 years old that they failed to tell us about for at least 2 years?
They have now passed this on to a debt company so some help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

SwanJon

Depends on how things happened

A) They didn't send you any bills at all in the previous years. - They can only bill you for the last 12 months.

They sent you bills, but these were estimated. They assumed that these estimates were accurate as they were not told otherwise. They now bill to an accurate read. They can charge you for everything. You may be able to haggle them down though, or ask them to spread it over the same lenght of time it built up.

tripled

They are only obliged to check the meter every two years, so yes they can back bill you for two years underesimated consumption. As SwanJon said, the 12 month rule only applies if they didn't send you a bill at all.

Twainy

Your advice is appreciated. Thank you.

Terrylw1

Hi,

I suggest you raise this with Energywatch (per the back of your bill) if you have been supplying readings which they have failed to use through the 2 years. Also, have the meter readers been out in the past 2 years? There are many reasons why readings don't get used so you may be able to use that against them.

Energywatch will be able to give the advice you need if thats the case. the 12 month rule is flexible in some circumstances within an organisation if the supplier has been negligent in obtaining correct data to bill you.

It's worth checking before you pay out.

They are supposed to take a reading within 14 months strictly speaking to justify consumption against the meter, the 2 year rule if more to do with inspection of the metering equipment to ensure it is safe.

Good luck...

stewie_griffin

Terrylw1 wrote: »

They are supposed to take a reading within 14 months strictly speaking to justify consumption against the meter, the 2 year rule if more to do with inspection of the metering equipment to ensure it is safe.

Good luck...

The 14 month rule is to do with how much the supplier has to pay the distributor/wholesaler for the electricity and does not affect how the customer is billed.

Terrylw1

stewie_griffin wrote: »

The 14 month rule is to do with how much the supplier has to pay the distributor/wholesaler for the electricity and does not affect how the customer is billed.

But if they receive a reading within the Suppliers billing window for the quarter, they will do it.

Ofgem's stance on this is very clear - if you get a firm or COR reading and could use it rather than an estimate, you use it!

The 2 year visit is for safety but again, a reading can be used if the Supplier is due to bill. Ofgem have always advised Suppliers that they should only record readings without using them where it could cause a mid quarter bill.