No Bill for Electricity for 12 months

Wonderlust

Last September I switched Energy suppliers. Since then I have submitted all my meter readings as requested, and have paid by Direct Debit for both Gas & Electricity and receive a Dual Fuel discount.


Now I have to admit that I don't check my online account with the supplier, I didn't feel a need to as the switch went through without a hitch and there had been no problems or correspondence to suggest otherwise.


I recently received my notification telling me my current tariff was coming to an end, and at this point I logged into my account to view the what tariffs would be available. I was shocked to see that my account was over £900 in CREDIT. Having now examined my statements, I can see that the Energy Company have never issued a bill for Electricity - only the Gas element has been billed for my Dual Fuel tariff.


I'm now looking at moving my tariff as I have been switched to the standard tariff which is £30 per month more. Where do I stand with this? I understand that Energy companies can only claim back 12 months payments if they are at fault, I have been with this company for 14 months. I know I'm at fault for not checking my online account, but I find it quite worrying that they have let this credit build up without investigating it - I thought they had to refund at a certain point.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

What is the actual issue here? I can't see how you're particularly encumbered in any way.


Just contact them, politely ask that they bill you for your usage, and on your way. Alternatively, if your switch is to a different supplier, go ahead and switch - your current supplier will have to raise a final bill.

Johno100

So they've taken the money from you but haven't allocated the electricity element to your electricity account? Might be an idea to give them a call, you'll probably have it sorted out in the time it took you to write your opening post.

naedanger

Wonderlust wrote: »

Last September I switched Energy suppliers. Since then I have submitted all my meter readings as requested, and have paid by Direct Debit for both Gas & Electricity and receive a Dual Fuel discount.

Now I have to admit that I don't check my online account with the supplier, I didn't feel a need to as the switch went through without a hitch and there had been no problems or correspondence to suggest otherwise.

I recently received my notification telling me my current tariff was coming to an end, and at this point I logged into my account to view the what tariffs would be available. I was shocked to see that my account was over £900 in CREDIT. Having now examined my statements, I can see that the Energy Company have never issued a bill for Electricity - only the Gas element has been billed for my Dual Fuel tariff.

I'm now looking at moving my tariff as I have been switched to the standard tariff which is £30 per month more. Where do I stand with this? I understand that Energy companies can only claim back 12 months payments if they are at fault, I have been with this company for 14 months. I know I'm at fault for not checking my online account, but I find it quite worrying that they have let this credit build up without investigating it - I thought they had to refund at a certain point.

You need to get your supplier to update your account i.e. deduct your energy costs from your energy payments. I suggest you send them a written complaint demanding they do this within the next [7] days.

The back billing code will not apply to your account as you have been making payments. (The payments can be deducted from the cost of energy used. Therefore you are unlikely to have any unbilled and unpaid energy from over 12 months ago.) The purpose of the back billing code is protect customers from receiving demands for payment for energy used over 12 months ago. (Your supplier will not need to demand payment as they have already received the money, they just haven't applied it to your account.)

naedanger

Johno100 wrote: »

Might be an idea to give them a call...

Actually despite my earlier post saying send an email, I agree a call is probably better. As your account in online you should see if they deal with your request promptly.

If you have any problems then revert to email (so you have a record).

R34GTT

Scottish Power per chance?

Johno100

naedanger wrote: »

Actually despite my earlier post saying send an email, I agree a call is probably better. As your account in online you should see if they deal with your request promptly.

If you have any problems then revert to email (so you have a record).

You know I'm not the OP right?

naedanger

Johno100 wrote: »

You know I'm not the OP right?

Yes, I was quoting your post, but directing my comments to the OP.

Sorry for any confusion.

Wonderlust

Update - after calling my supplier the situation of my account went from bad to worse! They told me it had not been set up correctly and they would look into it and get back to me. After hearing nothing for a week, I checked my account on line and could see they had now duplicated the original account giving me a new credit balance of £1800! I decided to wait in case they were mid way in setting up a new account and deleting the old one. A month later, still heard nothing so I called them again, asking that they update my account pronto as they had now transferred me to their standard account for which I was paying an extra £35pm. I gave them new meter readings so they could calculate my usage for the year, and surprise surprise, they gave me the news that I now owed them £100. I've put in an official complaint and 2 weeks later I'm still waiting to hear the outcome.