Electric bill from previously repossessed home arrived 2 years late.

Paul_1960

Hi and this is my first visit here as I feel I need some advise.
The story - my home was voluntarily repossessed in Jan 2015 and I phoned Southern Electric that day with my final meter readings. ( They agree with this ). I also have a letter from the mortgage company saying the electricity supply was disconnected one week later. On the 12 Feb 2018 I received a letter from Southern Electric with a ‘ final bill ‘ for £210.08. I queried this over the phone and was told that it was estimated as they had no actual readings until Nov 16. ( the house was sold in May 16 ). They agreed to extrapolate the readings and have now given me a bill for £ 165.93. 19 March 2018 sees a letter from Pastdue credit demanding payment.
Where do I stand ? Does Backbilling apply ?
Any advice gratefully received.
PC

PaschalFun

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-back-billing-your-rights

More recent info here:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/ofgem-bans-suppliers-backbilling-customers-beyond-12-months

... but unfortunately for you, this later update does not come into effect until next month.


Perhaps of more significance was why was your electric disconnected??? :huh: :eek:
Did you request that?
The issue is that by disconnecting the electricity supply to the property, you would have suffered a significant reduction in sale price achieveable.

Unless you organised this - seek legal advice immediately; you'll probably be entitled to significant damages that would make the leccy bill pale into insignificance. :money:

Paul_1960

Hi,
I!!!8217;m guessing that all repossessions have the main services disconnected to stop bills like this one.
As an aside, the house sold for a lot less than the mortgage and I managed to give the mortgage company a full and final settlement which they accepted.

PaschalFun

Best not to guess with matters like this ...;)

You may have paid the mortgage off, but what about any remaining equity?

Paul_1960

Sadly it was in a lot of negative equity ( job loss, divorce ). It was such a relief to have them accept a !!!8216; full and final !!!8216; offer to make it all go away and start building my credit rating again.

matelodave

I would have though thats the CAB or possibley a solicitor would be able to give you the advice you need rather than a lot of the well meaning but erroneous comments that you are likely to get on a forum like this.

Paul_1960

Just spoken to SSE again and they say that backbilling doesn!!!8217;t apply in this case as they were sending bills to my name but the building societies address. Have escalated it to an investigation - I don!!!8217;t feel I have done anything wrong. Let!!!8217;s see what they say tomorrow.
Thanks for your replies.
CAB sounds a good place to make enquiries.

Paul_1960

Just sent out an e-mail to CAB.
Thank you all.

PaschalFun

Paul_1960 wrote: »

Sadly it was in a lot of negative equity...

Point proven

D_M_E

You need to ask why they did not close the account with the actual readings you supplied in 2015, and ask why they instead used an estimate.

Also ask, since the property was repossessed, the mortgage company were I should think responsible for energy supplies for the week between your readings and supply cutoff, you cannot be responsible for any period when you did not live there or had no resposibility for anything at the property.

Write, keep off the phone - you will get nowhere by phoning - and head your letter COMPLAINT and detailo the points above and ask for an accurate, detailed bill and send your letter recorded delivery.

Paul_1960

Thanks - will let you know what happens.