Physical Meter Reading - Frequency and the law?

Hasbeen

Spruces said:

Can i ask if an energy supplier has not been in a property for over two years and not taken a meter reading,  where do we stand? We have suddenly been issued with a hugh bill we can not pay. We have giving readings but they are saying we have underpaid for ages therefore now have a large bill of £1,000. Can you please advise. 

So you have being giving actual monthly readings and getting bills based on these. And checking your usage is accurate on the bills?

So how have you being paying for these bills? Obviously not enough if the provider says you now owe £1000

Energy companies have to read your meter every 2 years? Its actually a safety check to ensure you have not bypassed it LOL.
But if you are not in, or refuse then that gets set back?

Ask for a payment plan to pay for what you have used and obviously be more diligent in future.

stewie_griffin

See page 5

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2019/02/licence_guide_metering_billing_and_payments_1.pdf

spiro

You haven't provided a lot of detail so here are a few points:

• You should have provided a reading when you moved in - did you do that?
• Lots of suppliers T&Cs require you to submit meter readings at least twice a year - have you been doing that?
• Over the 2 years has the end reading on each bill been an Estimate or Actual?
• How do you pay, DD or cash on bill?

All of the above impact your situation. To owe £1000 implies the supplier has been estimating low, you haven't corrected it until how and you have received what is commonly referred to as a catch up bill, where the money owed catches up with the energy you have used.