Broken meter: moving out soon

The_Topcat

Hi all

I moved into my 1-bedroom apartment in August 2016 and when I was to give my first reading in September 2016 I made npower aware that my meter was faulty (blank, broken). At this very first point I made them aware that I was okay with paying the estimate for now (£39 per month) but I expected it to be lower than this once they fixed my meter, as I work away 2-3 days a week.

Fast-forward to now and it still hasn't been fixed. They have had a lot of problems with the contractors. The customer service has been quite good and they keep me updated so it hasn't led to frustration but I'm moving into my new home in two weeks and I can't help feeling I've overpaid. I understand £39 per month isn't bad but they don't take into consideration my 2 holidays, for 2 weeks each, where I haven't used energy or that I work away 2-3 days a week.

Can people recommend a possible course of action I should take? They won't be able to take a sample reading now due to me moving out. I don't know what I can say to them to request a lower bill / refund.

Appreciate any help.

nPower

The_Topcat wrote: »

Hi all

I moved into my 1-bedroom apartment in August 2016 and when I was to give my first reading in September 2016 I made npower aware that my meter was faulty (blank, broken). At this very first point I made them aware that I was okay with paying the estimate for now (£39 per month) but I expected it to be lower than this once they fixed my meter, as I work away 2-3 days a week.

Fast-forward to now and it still hasn't been fixed. They have had a lot of problems with the contractors. The customer service has been quite good and they keep me updated so it hasn't led to frustration but I'm moving into my new home in two weeks and I can't help feeling I've overpaid. I understand £39 per month isn't bad but they don't take into consideration my 2 holidays, for 2 weeks each, where I haven't used energy or that I work away 2-3 days a week.

Can people recommend a possible course of action I should take? They won't be able to take a sample reading now due to me moving out. I don't know what I can say to them to request a lower bill / refund.

Appreciate any help.

Hi The_Topcat

Thank you for posting and I'm sorry for the time it is taking to resolve this matter for you. I will be happy to take a look at this if you would like to send me an email (using the address from my profile) with your account details.

Thanks

Vicky

The_Topcat

nPower wrote: »

Hi The_Topcat

Thank you for posting and I'm sorry for the time it is taking to resolve this matter for you. I will be happy to take a look at this if you would like to send me an email (using the address from my profile) with your account details.

Thanks

Vicky

Hi Vicky

Thank you for your reply. I will send you the details of my case in an e-mail as this has already been reported as a complaint with all of the information provided in my post. I am wondering what can be done today as the wrong type of contractor was sent again today (third or fourth time?).

Thank you

dogshome

Chances are that failure to fix the problem are down to n'power's communications, or lack of, with the Energy Distribution Co for your area who own the meter and are resposible for fixing it.

However with no Start Reading from when you moved in, and no End Reading when the meter is changed or you move out, there is no possible way for n'power to calculate how much energy you have used, it's cost and if your account is in Debit or Credit, and nor I'm afraid can you

If in fact you were staying in the flat for some time after the meter was fixed, the solution would be to measure your consumption on the new meter and draw up a bill for the missing period on those figures

At the outset n'power would have put you on their 'Variable Tariff' which is the most expensive, so if they did ever manage to produce a bill, it would not be a small one

On worry is that none of your communications are in writing and any future problem arising will be argued on a 'He said'/They said' basis.
Protect your own interests by WRITING to n'power heading the letter Complaint, setting out this saga Chapter & Verse and making the points that they have failed produce bills that show your account Credit/Debit status, and have also prevented you moving to a cheaper tariff with themselves or any other supplier