Back-billing for the past 5 years!

theoretica

How much has your meter changed in the last month?  That will give an indication of use for one summer month and if that seems high.

Talldave

zafyha said:

Talldave said:

The gas consumption will be impacted by the insulation. Poor insulation could account for the high consumption as most of the energy will be going on heating.

For example,  we used 50kWh of gas last week because the heating didn't come on and that was just for hot water. In winter we can use 1500kWh in a week because the heating is on a lot.

No we have a very insulated house; double glazed windows throughout. We do put heating throughout winter.. I might have to look into a smart meter now-to keep up to date with all bills. But have heard that can be quite expensive on the bills although if these bills are all accurate then already my monthly usage is around £200/month! 

Does anyone have any light on whether the back-billing principle could apply in my case? 

You could just read the meter you've got?

Why would a smart meter "be quite expensive on the bills"? That's ludicrous. A smart meter sends its readings automatically,  a non-smart meter relies on you to send the readings.  How can either technique change the bill? The bill is affected by the kWh you use.

MWT

zafyha said:

Does anyone have any light on whether the back-billing principle could apply in my case? 

As far as I can see from the bills you have posted (thanks for adding the older one), there has been no error on their side other than simply getting the estimates wrong, and that alone isn't enough to trigger the back-billing rules.

I would suggest you point out to them that they have not provided you with an accurate bill during the entire period from 2015 to present until you sent them a meter reading.

Their failure to provide an accurate bill at any point before the recent one can be argued to be a trigger for the back-billing rules as although it is fine to use estimates, at least once a year they should provide an accurate bill.

That can be using customer readings if they have them, or a reading from someone they pay to go read the meter, but they should not simply keep on estimating endlessly without some attempt to get a meter reading...

So unless they have been trying to obtain access to your gas meter and you have frustrated their attempts, I'd say you have a shot at using the back-billing rules.

Try modifying the sample letter on the CAB website as a basis for your complaint...

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/template-letters/letters/energy/complain-to-a-supplier-about-back-billing/

zafyha

MWT said:

zafyha said:

Does anyone have any light on whether the back-billing principle could apply in my case? 

As far as I can see from the bills you have posted (thanks for adding the older one), there has been no error on their side other than simply getting the estimates wrong, and that alone isn't enough to trigger the back-billing rules.

I would suggest you point out to them that they have not provided you with an accurate bill during the entire period from 2015 to present until you sent them a meter reading.

Their failure to provide an accurate bill at any point before the recent one can be argued to be a trigger for the back-billing rules as although it is fine to use estimates, at least once a year they should provide an accurate bill.

That can be using customer readings if they have them, or a reading from someone they pay to go read the meter, but they should not simply keep on estimating endlessly without some attempt to get a meter reading...

So unless they have been trying to obtain access to your gas meter and you have frustrated their attempts, I'd say you have a shot at using the back-billing rules.

Try modifying the sample letter on the CAB website as a basis for 

Oh you are such a help MWT! May you be blessed for providing such a clear strategy on how I can proceed henceforth. I didn’t thwart any attempt of them coming to read the meter. In fact last year someone did come to the house but despite the visit, Shell doesn’t have any gas readings. 

Yes, I will adapt the letter. It’s worth a shot. And major major lesson learned on being very vigilant about meter readings! I will provide an update as soon as I send out the letter and hear back from them. Thank you soo much MWT. 👍 

zafyha

And thank you to everyone else who responded and helped. Really appreciate and advice and reprimands too! Sending all a virtual 👊 as I feel soo much lighter and hopeful too. Will definitely update regardless of the outcome.