Incorrect starting readings

RajitS

I purchased a property on 15th October.I took a meter reading and supplied a photograph on the 17th October of the 'Total' reading.

I do have pictures of r1 and r2 but can't get access to these. I have provided proof that the 'total' is in line with the sum of the r1 and r2 readings and have provided them with numerous photographs of other readings as well as written readings. They have disputed none of the readings I have provided them with.

I received a bill covering energy from 15th October with a meter reading which was 300kWh lower than it was on 17th October. I informed them that it was completely incorrect as soon as I received the bill.

The property is unoccupied and uses about 400kWh per year and they are charging me 30x the amount the bill should actually be. The amount that they are out is equivalent to almost 9 months electricity usage. I don't know what the previous owners were doing but my best guess is their estimates are so innaccurate because of historical usage data.

The electricity company asked for evidence which I supplied and have since stopped responding to any of my emails. They have since sent through a letter 2nd class (to the unnoccupied building? even though they have my email) stating that from tomorrow they will pass on my details to a third party debt collector to get the funds from me.
They have still not disputed my readings and have not attempted to provide any evidence supporting their completely inaccurate readings.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Is there a 3rd party who can resolve this? What legal process would they have to go through to get this money from me?

Gerry1

The opening reading will have been modified by a third party. However, as the discrepancy is more than 250kWh you can challenge it.

If you haven't paid them anything,start by reading the meter again and working out the exact amount you've used (including standing charges), paying this into your account today.

Post the CEO a letter headed COMPLAINT summarising the issue clearly and asking for a deadlock letter by return. Copy it to customer services and the debt collection agency. In the meantime, keep taking readings and making the appropriate monthly payments. The debt collection agency would need a court order before proceeding.

Go to the Ombudsman upon receipt of the deadlock letter or after eight weeks, whichever comes first.

Note that you need to summarise the issues much more clearly and succinctly than you have here, e.g. by using bullet points. Presumably you are referring to an E7 electricity supply; are they now using estimated readings instead of your own, or is the problem just with the wrong opening reading?

RajitS

Thanks for your response, I will escalate my complaint. I was only with them for a short period and am on top of my payments with the new supplier.

I am concerned that by making a payment I will be providing them with my bank details. Do they have any special powers as a utility company around freezing my account or any other legal method? I never even signed a contract with them and tried to cancel immediately as they were the supplier for the previous owner.

Gerry1

RajitS wrote: »

I never even signed a contract with them and tried to cancel immediately as they were the supplier for the previous owner.

Oh dear, it's all starting to unravel. You really do need to make sure you're squeaky clean before complaining.

You should have registered with them before trying to switch, otherwise you will be on a mega-expensive tariff. IANAL and all that but my understanding is that you certainly started being on a 'deemed' contract the moment you turned on a light, possibly even at the moment of sale completion.

Are you absolutely sure the new supplier has taken over? If the original company has you listed as a debtor it may well have blocked the transfer; sometimes the new company takes a DD before the switchover date. It would seem very odd that they're using a debt collector but didn't block the switch. Check who is your supplier by dialling 105.

It's no good saying you're up to date with the second company if you haven't paid for what you've used with the first. It sounds like you haven't set up a direct debit or even paid them anything at all, and if so it's hardly surprising they've taken action. Similarly, if they've sold your debt on to a collection agency they may not respond to your emails.

Pay cash over the counter at a bank if you don't want to give your account details. The energy company's website should have the information, it's probably as simple as quoting your account number as the reference. Make sure you get a receipt !