OVO Making a mess of my energy

Ljc00ps

Hi there,

This is my first time posting please help!...Myself and my partner moved into a property in December and decided to go with OVO for our Gas and Electric as they were the current provider. We had some issues with our meters as the property is a house split into two flats. The tenants downstairs and the previous tenant in our flat had mixed up the meters which meant there was a dispute for a few weeks regarding who was paying for what. While this was ongoing we set up a £50 per month DD to ensure we didn't fall too behind and were told to give monthly meter readings.

We gave an initial reading upon moving in and monthly readings. In January the bill showed as £10; as we had given readings we didn't question this (perhaps naive but we had done as we were told). Then come February they told us our bill was £120!!! We spoke to them and they had not taken our January reading down properly and that the bill must be correct as there was a big jump in the readings. So we have had to pay this.

We then later realised that all bills issued by them did not show anything about electricity...upon calling them they told us that our Electricity meter had been registered twice and they were trying to resolve the issue and work out our bill. They estimated we'd have a bill by now (01.03.17) but upon calling them today to provide new meter readings they are now saying they don't know when we'll get this bill.

I know the downstairs tenants and the previous tenant in our flat were only paying around £50 p/m for both utilities (we know them so know this is accurate). So can't understand why we are being charged so much and why there has been so much hassle. There is an exit fee if we leave, but we just don't know what to do anymore. We feel like we have to put up with this but would welcome any advice to help us save some money.

System

Hi - welcome to the forum. Surely, you should be able to check how much you owe if you have the opening meter readings. The tariff details will be on your bill.

I can see why you might wish to switch suppliers but until you have full confidence that the meter that you are being billed against is correct, I would advise you not to. Your problems will just continue.

FWiW, I have been with OVo in the past and I had found their customef circumstances to be first rate.

footyguy

Ljc00ps wrote: »

Hi there,

This is my first time posting please help!...Myself and my partner moved into a property in December and decided to go with OVO for our Gas and Electric as they were the current provider. We had some issues with our meters as the property is a house split into two flats. The tenants downstairs and the previous tenant in our flat had mixed up the meters which meant there was a dispute for a few weeks regarding who was paying for what. While this was ongoing we set up a £50 per month DD to ensure we didn't fall too behind and were told to give monthly meter readings.

We gave an initial reading upon moving in and monthly readings. In January the bill showed as £10; as we had given readings we didn't question this (perhaps naive but we had done as we were told). Then come February they told us our bill was £120!!! We spoke to them and they had not taken our January reading down properly and that the bill must be correct as there was a big jump in the readings. So we have had to pay this.

We then later realised that all bills issued by them did not show anything about electricity...upon calling them they told us that our Electricity meter had been registered twice and they were trying to resolve the issue and work out our bill. They estimated we'd have a bill by now (01.03.17) but upon calling them today to provide new meter readings they are now saying they don't know when we'll get this bill.

I know the downstairs tenants and the previous tenant in our flat were only paying around £50 p/m for both utilities (we know them so know this is accurate). So can't understand why we are being charged so much and why there has been so much hassle. There is an exit fee if we leave, but we just don't know what to do anymore. We feel like we have to put up with this but would welcome any advice to help us save some money.

Welcome to MSE :hello:

You willingly entered into the Ovo tariff, and presumably were made asware of the early exit fees that apply to that tariff you selected.

Yes, you have to pay for what you have consumed. Any reason you don't feel that is correct and reasonable?

If you now feel you can get a better deal elsewhere, you can move subject to the early exit fees you agreed to.I'm not sure what those early exit fees were, but typically they are about £30 per fuel. If switching is not going to save you more than that, don't bother.

System

It's interesting how Ovo has changed its policy on exit fees. Two or so years ago, it was £30 a fuel then they changed to a policy of no exit fees unless a customer came back to them within, I think, 2 months. Now the wheel has gone full circle.

Of more concern, is the cost of the cheapest deal which would cost me over £200 a year more than if I switched to the cheapest dual fuel deal on the market today. Paying £60 to save £200 would, for me, be a 'no brainer'. Ovo used to be one of the most competitive small suppliers: how times have changed.

speedster67

Hello,

I believe OVO have made many errors with regards to their billing system in the past which has resulted in customers receiving inaccurate bills.
When I have dealt with complaints in the past most companies fear the ombudsman. You can either inform them that you are going to contact the ombudsman which may get them to get their act together or just pass the info to the ombudsman and let them take over. It's a free service. Unfortunately this sight will not allow me to post the link but if you type ombudsman energy complaint into your search engine you should find the site - hope it helps.