Historical Overcharging for Gas Supply

chrissy257

Switched to Avro three years ago and up until now very satisfied. In the process of switching to a lower tariff (I am consistently in credit) I received an email to say i must clear the £720 deficit on my account before I can switch tariffs! The company had suddenly realised they had been charging me in metric units and not imperial for three years! Although I read the meter once a month it has also been read independently a number of times. Most of the charges probably occurred in the first two years when there were four of us in the house. I am now divorced and the 'kids' have moved out so I use much less gas and electricity; tbf Avro offered to spread the backcharges over direct debits for one year but this would still be costly.....:(

Thomas_Edison

They can't bill you for incorrectly billed consumption more than 1 year ago, so they can only go back a year due to new back billiing regulations.

You should raise that with then.

nigelbb

Thomas_Edison wrote: »

They can't bill you for incorrectly billed consumption more than 1 year ago, so they can only go back a year due to new back billiing regulations.

You should raise that with then.

As stated the backbilling rules mean that because Avro are responsible for your incorrect bills that they can only charge you for the previous 12 months. This doesn't stop them trying to dupe you into paying but is contrary to OFGEM rules https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-backbilling-your-rights

pavacava

Yes, perfect case for the back billing rule. As the meter was also read by a third party, the meter reader, will strengthen your case.

Make your complaint official with Avro as soon as possible and if they do not agree, proceed to the Energy Ombudsman after 8 weeks.

matelodave

Benight wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Not particularly helpful. If you can't post something sensible then please don't post at all.

In fact I'm not sure than any of your posts have really helped anybody

[Deleted User]

If the occupier has been refusing access at all to meter readers in to verify meters and readings then the back billing rule does not apply but in this case if meter readers have been round I wonder why they did nt spot the error.
As a meter reader for over 20 years Its easy to see if the correct type of meter matches the number of dials . 5 for metric and 4 for Imperials.