Crossed Meters

CheckDigit

Hello,
I recently had my boiler changed and part of the process involved the engineer doing a test to check that the gas was flowing correctly. When he went to do the test he identified that the meter we had been assigned was the wrong one. It had been mixed up with another flat in the complex. Now, both flats were built at the same time (it was a new build) about 10 years ago, so in effect I have been paying for somebody else's bill for the last 10 years. During this time I have changed energy providers on a number of occasions and I am guessing that the other flat has also. More than likely, the other flat has also had different tenants living there.  I can tell from the meter readings that I have paid significantly more than I should have and was wondering if there was any way to recover the excess money I had spent? I got my current energy company (Bulb) to switch the meters over but only got a refund of about £20. Any advice would be much appreciated.

brewerdave

Cannot see any way that you could prove what you actually used over such a long period -and multiple suppliers ? No chance !

MWT

How much of a difference was there between the two meter readings  at the point where you noticed the problem?

CheckDigit

MWT said:

How much of a difference was there between the two meter readings  at the point where you noticed the problem?

The latest reading for the other flat was 5963. The latest reading for my flat was  4490. So I have paid (over 10 years) about 25% more than I should have

brewerdave

CheckDigit said:

MWT said:

How much of a difference was there between the two meter readings  at the point where you noticed the problem?

The latest reading for the other flat was 5963. The latest reading for my flat was  4490. So I have paid (over 10 years) about 25% more than I should have

Doesn't follow - in 10 years ,the other meter could possibly have been changed. 

MWT

Looks like around £500 worth assuming that is a metric meter.

After 10 years, I think you will probably have to put this one down to experience and next time you move make a mental note to verify you have the correct meter from the start.

CheckDigit

MWT said:

Looks like around £500 worth assuming that is a metric meter.

After 10 years, I think you will probably have to put this one down to experience and next time you move make a mental note to verify you have the correct meter from the start.

Yeah, I feel very frustrated. The number of occasions that I intentionally kept the heating low in winter because we were short on cash, and all the time I was paying for somebody else!

Talldave

in multi occupancy buildings it's always worth doing a meter validation test on moving in to make sure the meter you're paying for feeds your flat. It helps to have a friend who can monitor the meters as you turn things on and off. Should be done for gas, electricity and water.