Spark energy economy 7. Please help

katygeorge

Im in desperate need if some help for my brother. 

He has just informed me that in the 11 months in his new flat He has paid £1100 in electric and had a outstanding bill of £900. 
Hes been trying to speak to them about the meter being faulty. For the last 6 months he has been having everything turned off at the plug. He is never home and when he is hes asleep. Ive finally convinced him to let me deal with this but hoping to have as much information as possible before i go to war. 

Anybody had a similar problem?
How can i get them to change the meter to a standard one? They keep saying it cant be done. 

How do i get them to come check this meter. 

Hea going to have to move if we cant resolve the problem. He had mental health issues and really shouldnt of been trying to deal with this alone. Hes so depressed and scared. 

Gerry1

The estate or lettings agent will probably have signed him up to Spark, getting a bung to do so.  He's been paying for it ever since because Spark are notoriously expensive.  He needs to switch to a cheaper supplier and then to a credit meter.  Search the forum, there are many threads about Spark.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/

Make sure he's on the Priority Services Register.

Robin9

More info please

Did he give readings when he moved in ?  or did he rely on the agent/landlord or caretaker. ? What were they ? Has he been giving monthly readings or ae all the readings estimates ?
What are the readings today ? Photo please if possible.

A copy of the bill as well with the personal info blanked out.

katygeorge

Hi Robin. Hes been doing his own meter readings using the app. Surely this cant be correct the meter must be faulty? 

Once he sends me all log in details i will get you some screen shots. 

Gerry1

katygeorge said:

Hi Robin. Hes been doing his own meter readings using the app. Surely this cant be correct the meter must be faulty?

People always grasp at the 'faulty meter' straws, but if you do the sums you'll probably see that the culprits are the sky high kWh rates and standing charges.  That's how those bungs to the agent are clawed back !

Robin9

There are quite a few possibilities @katygeorge  - lets get the info together and not jump to any conclusions.

katygeorge

Hi Robin. These are all the bills. Ive not looked at them yet. Hoping i can work out what the hell is going on. 

katygeorge

katygeorge

katygeorge

Hes always done his own meter readings. I think the bit that baffles us is he never really used the heating. He works long hours on a twilight shift so is out at work 3pm till 4am then sleeps till 1:30 pm. Single man living alone having his kids every other weekend out on his bike and visiting friends the other weekends. Hes just not there so it really does make no sense. Not much cooking, no sat watching tv other than weekend. 

I wish he had told me about this sooner

Robin9

I'm struggling to print - can anyone else ?