Left property over a year ago - requested final bill

Rickb110

Hi Guys,

I have just received a bill from my energy company for a property I haven't lived in for over a year. They are asking for £240.

I know at the time I was with them with my energy they were having some significant computer issues (I received multiple emails apologising for the issues)

They have sent me a breakdown of transactions and at the time of leaving the property (and I believed closing the account) there was no debt to be paid on the account (it was actually in credit) but then suddenly in December 2016 they started putting debits onto the account (of around 2k) then canceling them before finally adding a debit of £400.

Finally the bill they have sent me contain estimated readings as final readings.

I was under the impression that they couldn't back bill you for energy you used more than 12 months ago IF it was their error according to this on OFGEM's website:

"What is the back-billing principle?

Put simply, if your supplier is at fault, it will not seek additional payment for unbilled energy used more than 12 months prior to the error being detected and a corrected bill being issued."

ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-your-rights

Am I right to challenge this? Is there anything that might help me out?

footyguy

Rickb110 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I have just received a bill from my energy company for a property I haven't lived in for over a year. They are asking for £240.

I know at the time I was with them with my energy they were having some significant computer issues (I received multiple emails apologising for the issues)

They have sent me a breakdown of transactions and at the time of leaving the property (and I believed closing the account) there was no debt to be paid on the account (it was actually in credit) but then suddenly in December 2016 they started putting debits onto the account (of around 2k) then canceling them before finally adding a debit of £400.

Finally the bill they have sent me contain estimated readings as final readings.

I was under the impression that they couldn't back bill you for energy you used more than 12 months ago IF it was their error according to this on OFGEM's website:

"What is the back-billing principle?

Put simply, if your supplier is at fault, it will not seek additional payment for unbilled energy used more than 12 months prior to the error being detected and a corrected bill being issued."

ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-your-rights

Am I right to challenge this? Is there anything that might help me out?

If you believe you have cause for complaint, then you certainly have the right to make such a complaint.

Each claim under the back billing code will be assessed based on its own merits.

Evidence proving it was the suppliers entire fault, and that you did everything reasonable to get the bill will certainly help you out

This more comprehensive summary of the back billing code may help you more
https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/files/docs/Factsheets%20and%20guides/back_billing_consumer_guide.pdf

Rickb110

footyguy wrote: »

If you believe you have cause for complaint, then you certainly have the right to make such a complaint.

Each claim under the back billing code will be assessed based on its own merits.

Evidence proving it was the suppliers entire fault, and that you did everything reasonable to get the bill will certainly help you out

This more comprehensive summary of the back billing code may help you more
energy-uk.org.uk/files/docs/Factsheets%20and%20guides/back_billing_consumer_guide.pdf

I have a transaction breakdown from Co-Op which shows the exact date charges were applied to the account, they billed the account in december after we had already left the property, but there was plenty in the account to cover the cost of that bill. They then cancelled it and didn't attempt to bill again until a year later where the tried to bill 2k - they then cancelled that bill on the same day. This happened another couple of times with various amounts. It was only on the 13th of January this year that they actually put a figure down and didn't cancel it (I assume!)

I don't think I have evidence of my cancellation but I was paying by direct debit which was cancelled at the time of moving.

System

For clarification, estimated readings are often used on Final Bills. All readings go to the Data Collectors for validation as people misread the meter, lie etc. The verified reading often shows as an 'E'. Did you provide the supplier with actual meter readings when you moved out?

Rickb110

Hengus wrote: »

For clarification, estimated readings are often used on Final Bills. All readings go to the Data Collectors for validation as people misread the meter, lie etc. The verified reading often shows as an 'E'. Did you provide the supplier with actual meter readings when you moved out?

Yes definitely as it was a requirement for avoiding any deductions to our deposit with our rental agency.