Southern Electricity

Re-volt

Hi all,

Just to give a bit of background info on my problem before I go into detail… I moved into a 2 bedroom flat on 30th September 2014. We only have electricity so there is no gas in the apartment. We are out for the majority of day/night due to busy lifestyles so we don’t use a large amount of electricity in comparison to other people I know. I only found out recently my estate agent or landlord didn’t take a meter reading as they said they would so have only recently chased and received access to the meter to check the numbers.

I’ve received an electricity bill from Southern Electricity for usage from 30th Sept up until the end of July 2015 for the sum of around £2.5k. I’ve been advised by many 3rd party independent electricians that this figure can in no way be accurate and that I should dispute this as they are trying to pull the wool.

I’ve spoken to 3 people at Southern Electricity and 2 of them have said the figure couldn’t be correct and they will look into it, however, 1 representative has said the figure is correct and that there much be an appliance in the property using up a large amount of electricity and that previous tenants had the same issue – funnily enough the previous tenants left bills in the flat when they left and they were allot less than we are being charged by a country mile!

Has anyone ever had a similar experiences or have any advice?

Cheers!

Re-volt

Update, my landlord said previous tenants have never complained about the electricity prices like SE said they had - I feel like I'm being duped into paying the bill for my entire building!

System

Send the supplier a copy of your tenancy agreement and an up to date meter reading. Ask them to re-calculate your bill. What period is shown on the bill, and is the latest figure ACTUAL or Estimated? You also need to run a few checks:

1. Turn off your electrical supply and check whether the meter is still turning.

2. Start monitoring your usage on a daily basis for a week.

As you failed to contract SE when you moved in, then it is more than likely that you are on SE's standard/variable tariff (i.e.; the most expensive). You need to check what other SE tariff's are available to you. They will not let you switch suppliers until the matter of the debt has been resolved.

sma11person

We're in a 3 bed house. Our annual gas/electricity is £640. Another £200-300 for woodfuel (stove heating the house), and that's it. We cook every night (gas or electric), and the shower is used every morning. TV on for a few hours most evenings. I take readings every morning about 8am (when our E7 switches back to standard rate). We pay quarterly. I know how much energy this house uses, and can usually pinpoint the reason for any "spikes" (I baked a lasagne in the oven last week, and made quiches and cakes, so used extra electricity that day, for example)... in short, you need to take regular readings, and work out what normal usage is for you. Then take it from there.

macman

Never ever trust an LL or letting agent to take readings 'on your behalf'. This is the result. Your meter, your bill, your responsibility.