Incorrect electricity meter serial number

alexander.drazhev

I recently moved into a new flat in May. After paying my first energy bill, I noticed my electricity usage was unusually high - over 300kwh for a one bedroom flat (almost twice of what I typically use).

I decided to double check if something may be wrong, did a quick test by turning off our electricity and seeing which meter stopped. After doing this several times, it was apparent that the meter that is associated with my flat is the incorrect one. I contacted my provider (ScottishPower) and notified them of this, but they let me know that there's nothing they can do, since the "correct" meter for our flat is actually associated to our neighbours' flat in the "national database". Contacted my landlord, he said it has always been this way and he's never noticed that it was incorrect. ScottishPower are refusing to cooperate, I can't give any more readings, because I would otherwise be paying for my neighbours' usage, and I can't switch to a different provider until I resolve this, as well.

What can I do? Has anyone had experiences with similar cases? Is raising a complaint with ScottishPower my only option? What happens until this is resolved? Do I need to keep paying for someone else's usage? I need to note that I have not set up a direct debit, since the account with them was only recently created, so I only get billed and pay after I give readings.

Talldave

Other than the obvious formal complaint route, I would start taking weekly readings of BOTH meters, so that you have a good record of what you're being asked to pay for and what you should be paying for.


For Scottish Power to say there is nothing they can do is frankly pathetic.

Ectophile

Having been in a swapped meter situation myself in the past, don't waste time discussing it with Scottish Power. Make a formal complaint to them. Tell them that if they don't resolve your complaint, you will have to take it to the ombudsman.


If they fail to resolve it within 8 weeks, or if they tell you before then that they cannot resolve it, then you go to the ombudsman.

D_M_E

Do your complaint in writing by post and also copy it by email.

Don't bother phoning you get fobbed off and nothing gets done.

In your complaint, detail what you have discovered and tell them you want the correct meter associated with your premises and also want a refund of all excess charges which you have paid.

Personally, I would also inform them that i would be cancelling the DD until it's all sorted as I would not want to pay for someone else's energy. Would be putting aside about £50 a month to pay the correct bill when it's all sorted - that's if they want anything on top of the extra already paid.

alexander.drazhev

Thank you all for the advice.

I've noted both of the readings 2 weeks ago when I found out and I just noted them again and will continue doing it every week. I also have chat logs of sending them pictures with the readings.

I wrote a complaint to them by post and by email (not using Resolver, which they offer as an option, maybe I should give my complaint to them as well?. I don't have a DD set up and I won't be paying anything else until this is resolved.

They also notified me that my "correct" meter is actually associated with my neighbour's flat (so they are paying for my usage). I'm not sure if I should go and notify the neighbours on my own? Will they just "swap" the two? Will the neighbours have to agree to this for it to happen?

Thank you again all for the recommendations.

D_M_E

Would let the suppliers sort it out and inform the neighbours - it's good that suppliers have told you they know about the meters being associated with the incorrect premises, let them get it all sorted.

Sounds like the neighbours could be in for a big catchup bill.