Back Billing do I have to pay

macman

Because you haven't given sufficient information to be helped...

spiro

Tracey147 wrote: »

Why does seeing bill make difference ?

So the figures can be checked. The closing reading on the FU bill should match the opening reading on the SP bill. Also unless they can provide you a bill there is no debt.

matelodave

As said above you need a proper bill to establish whether a debt is actually owed, if they can't provide one then it's not possible to enforce one.

However it might be worth checking your credit ratings to ensure that they haven't registered it as a debt on one of them

LewisHamilton

If everything is as it sounds then I would say the back billing code should be applied. If they don't apply it, complain then go to the Ombudsman.

It sounds like First Utility failed to close the account correctly when you originally switched suppliers.

They did not send a final bill at this time but something has prompted the company to then start sending a bill a couple of years later. This is not uncommon - effectively the account was probably on hold.

As the account was not closed correctly when they eventually sent the original bill for £1650, it was this high as they incorrectly estimated your usage to date. They then realised the error and closed the account to the correct date reducing the balance to £140.

Providing you were not in debt for this amount when you left First Utility or you were not sent a final bill, then back billing should be applied.

As noted before, complain then take to Ombudsman for an final opinion.

Nobody on this forum can give a clear answer as to whether or not it should be applied without all the facts and looking at the account in full but based on what you are stating it sounds like the previously unbilled usage over 12 months old should be written off.

Also might be worth double checking to ensure the final readings are correct i.e. match the readings your new supplier used to open the account.

PaschalFun

Tracey147 wrote: »

Why does seeing bill make difference ?

I thought I explained the reason for my request.

Yes I, did!

PaschalFun wrote: »

Yes, I believe the back billing principle only applies to domestic customers too, but I think thge OP is a domestic customer.

Having said that, I can also see why you think the OP may be a commercial customer.

Perhaps the OP could come back and clarify this when they have more time?

Also, perhaps the OP could post the latest bill (a legible image please) that indicates an original demand of £1650 has now been reduced to just £140, as there certainly seems something extraordinary going on here that has not been mentioned by the OP, and with sight of the bill, we may be able to assist further.

OP - have you asked the supplier if you need tp pay?
And if so, what was the reply?

Any chance you could also clarify the other 2/3 questions I raised?