Ngrid works caused huge unexpected bill on vacant property

Jenniveve

Hello all,

I haven't lived in my property for exactly a year. For the first five months August-Jan, I just paid bills as normal because I was doing up the place for sale and using energy. In January, with everything done and the place listed for sale I called my provider Eon and asked what I needed to do to keep bills as low as possible since I had no need of energy at all. (The only info online is for landlords) I asked if they needed to disconnect me/visit the property to check vacant status while on the market etc. They said no need - if the property was vacant then the meter would reflect that.

They 'closed' my account (said it was impossible to freeze it) and I asked them to note that it was vacant. Because I hadn't been living there but paying normal bills I was 140 in credit. I said for them to keep hold for now in case a few pence was added on (estate agent switching on a light etc) but I was actually really careful about everything being switched off.

They recently started sending threatening debt letters to an imaginary occupant. They estimated that this occupant owed them 170pound. I called them up to remind them of the true status of the property. They requested new readings which I provided. They claim 30pounds of energy has been used and I said the only activity was a result of the national grid reconnecting the property after recent pipe work in the street.

Even though this is steep, I'd accept this as I have no idea what is involved in switching on a gas supply. The problem is the standing charges, which they had initially waived for the vacant status, are now back on. They say I owe them 150 in total for the six months the property was empty. This is 'mostly' standing charges but there is also a debt recovery fee??!!

I don't want to leave a hangover for the new owner (we complete on Monday) and I don't want to have an unpaid bill on my credit report as I get ready for my next mortgage. They've offered 10 pound as a good will gesture, but they'd be keeping my 140pound credit to pay for my 'responsibility as a landlord' but even the complaint manager admitted this was rubbish.

Is there anything I can do?

welshmoneylover

Jenniveve wrote: »

Hello all,

I haven't lived in my property for exactly a year. For the first five months August-Jan, I just paid bills as normal because I was doing up the place for sale and using energy. In January, with everything done and the place listed for sale I called my provider Eon and asked what I needed to do to keep bills as low as possible since I had no need of energy at all. (The only info online is for landlords) I asked if they needed to disconnect me/visit the property to check vacant status while on the market etc. They said no need - if the property was vacant then the meter would reflect that.

They 'closed' my account (said it was impossible to freeze it) and I asked them to note that it was vacant. Because I hadn't been living there but paying normal bills I was 140 in credit. I said for them to keep hold for now in case a few pence was added on (estate agent switching on a light etc) but I was actually really careful about everything being switched off.

They recently started sending threatening debt letters to an imaginary occupant. They estimated that this occupant owed them 170pound. I called them up to remind them of the true status of the property. They requested new readings which I provided. They claim 30pounds of energy has been used and I said the only activity was a result of the national grid reconnecting the property after recent pipe work in the street.

Even though this is steep, I'd accept this as I have no idea what is involved in switching on a gas supply. The problem is the standing charges, which they had initially waived for the vacant status, are now back on. They say I owe them 150 in total for the six months the property was empty. This is 'mostly' standing charges but there is also a debt recovery fee??!!

I don't want to leave a hangover for the new owner (we complete on Monday) and I don't want to have an unpaid bill on my credit report as I get ready for my next mortgage. They've offered 10 pound as a good will gesture, but they'd be keeping my 140pound credit to pay for my 'responsibility as a landlord' but even the complaint manager admitted this was rubbish.

Is there anything I can do?

Yes, pay the bill!!

Even though a property is empty you are still liable for the usage, standing charge and 5% vat based on accurate meter readings which is your responsibility to provide if the meter reader cannot gain access.

Jenniveve

But when I enquired about that, they said it wasn't a factor and I had no need to keep my direct debit going. If they hadnt misled me I would have got them round, disconnected or not allowed national grid access. I would have been fine with this if I'd known in advance so I could budget for it. In fact I just wouldn't have moved out at all as I have barely saved anything.

SummerFun

Jenniveve wrote: »

Hello all,

I haven't lived in my property for exactly a year. For the first five months August-Jan, I just paid bills as normal because I was doing up the place for sale and using energy. In January, with everything done and the place listed for sale I called my provider Eon and asked what I needed to do to keep bills as low as possible since I had no need of energy at all. (The only info online is for landlords) I asked if they needed to disconnect me/visit the property to check vacant status while on the market etc. They said no need - if the property was vacant then the meter would reflect that.

They 'closed' my account (said it was impossible to freeze it) and I asked them to note that it was vacant. Because I hadn't been living there but paying normal bills I was 140 in credit. I said for them to keep hold for now in case a few pence was added on (estate agent switching on a light etc) but I was actually really careful about everything being switched off.

They recently started sending threatening debt letters to an imaginary occupant. They estimated that this occupant owed them 170pound. I called them up to remind them of the true status of the property. They requested new readings which I provided. They claim 30pounds of energy has been used and I said the only activity was a result of the national grid reconnecting the property after recent pipe work in the street.

Even though this is steep, I'd accept this as I have no idea what is involved in switching on a gas supply. The problem is the standing charges, which they had initially waived for the vacant status, are now back on. They say I owe them 150 in total for the six months the property was empty. This is 'mostly' standing charges but there is also a debt recovery fee??!!

I don't want to leave a hangover for the new owner (we complete on Monday) and I don't want to have an unpaid bill on my credit report as I get ready for my next mortgage. They've offered 10 pound as a good will gesture, but they'd be keeping my 140pound credit to pay for my 'responsibility as a landlord' but even the complaint manager admitted this was rubbish.

Is there anything I can do?

Sue their backsides off!
https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome

... or you can do so at your local county court, whichever you prefer.

A contract is a contract, even if only given verbally.

You should be able to get a recording of that call for a tenner - probably wise to obtain it before your start legal proceedings against them.

With that recording, they won't have a lreg to stand on... if it's all as you say

Jenniveve

This is exactly what I'd do if it weren't time sensitive. I don't want to mess things up for the new owner who gets the keys Monday (the latest bills are in the name of The occupier in spite of me constantly calling up and saying Still ME!!! Then they say oh are you the landlord and I go Nope. Still. Owned, still not rented. Still Me. Ironically landlords get an empty property discount)

I also don't want to mess up my credit report. Now the house is sold I have deposit for the next place.

I was thinking ombudsman? Can I pay it (to prevent them hassling 'the occupier') and still proceed with ombudsman?

SummerFun

Jenniveve wrote: »

This is exactly what I'd do if it weren't time sensitive. I don't want to mess things up for the new owner who gets the keys Monday (the latest bills are in the name of The occupier in spite of me constantly calling up and saying Still ME!!! Then they say oh are you the landlord and I go Nope. Still. Owned, still not rented. Still Me. Ironically landlords get an empty property discount)

I also don't want to mess up my credit report. Now the house is sold I have deposit for the next place.

I was thinking ombudsman? Can I pay it (to prevent them hassling 'the occupier') and still proceed with ombudsman?

No time to waste.

Straight to court, (as soon as you have the recording) - ensure it's done by 4th Sept

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

Laud help the buyer of this property!

Robin9

Is it just me but what have National Grid's street works got to do with your consumption, meter readings and bills?

molerat

Robin9 wrote: »

Is it just me but what have National Grid's street works got to do with your consumption, meter readings and bills?

I suspect that after the streetworks the system was turned on, as would be expected, to check everything and OP is blaming NG for not turning everything off again. I am sure they would be complaining at the loss in value of the property if they had the gas disconnected as no doubt NG would not have re piped a disconnected property and a serious bill would be heading the new owners way to re connect !

Robin9

We had our mains replaced last year and as part of the checks when the work was completed National Grid needed to check that all the boiler and gas fire pilot lights were OK and until they had access the incoming valve was switched off.

If OP has an issue its with Eon - not NG

Jenniveve

Thanks all. I realise everyone s just trying to be helpful.
For clarification I'm not complaining about other agencies or indeed the buyer!!!

My buyer has been perfectly great - in fact my main worry is his being harassed by debt collection bills addressed to a nameless occupier. I've decided to take the financial hit so he isn't. Also Ngrid were just fine. This is not about them! Safely turned on gas just as promised. No issue with anyone other than eon. United utilities were also fine - halted standing charges while vacant and refunded excess. The only bill to keep running as usual was council tax which had no vacancy exemption. But since they were upfront about that I was able to budget around it or I just would have stayed put.

Usually I would not accept a change in agreement after I'd made decisions/costings but when another person is now involved with the property it's not the right time to be stubborn about principles at all. It's annoying because I'm sure many people make the same decision while selling their property (moving is already a hassle so just let it go) and eon know this.

Still it needs settling up so it's a blank slate for the buyer.