Should i pay for standing charge on a second electric meter

jayne_richardson

I have moved into a high rise flat which has 2 electricity meters for whatever reason. one does not work but i have had to register it and been told i will pay standing charge even though i will be billed for electricity on the other meter. Is this correct? 

[Deleted User]

Yes. The only other option is to have the meter removed if it is no longer required.

Ectophile

No.  If you have NEVER used any electricity from that meter, you don't have to pay a standing charge on it.  DO NOT sign up for a contract on that meter.  Contact the current supplier, but make sure you tell that supplier that you aren't receiving any electricity from it.

The Electricity Act, Schedule 6 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/29/schedule/6 says that you have a deemed contract with whoever is the current supplier, but only when "the owner or occupier of any premises takes a supply of electricity which has been conveyed to those premises by an electricity distributor".  If you do not use that meter at all, then you haven't taken a supply, and you are not a deemed customer.  That means that they have no legal basis on which to charge you a standing charge.

spiro

You say it 'does not work' do you mean it is not recording the energy going through it or more correctly mean 'it is not connected to anything'?
The other question is do you have 2 MPANs? Thats the 13 digit number that forms part of the S number on your bill.
If you want to PM me the 2 MPANs I can check the records to see what set up you have/had.

bigal326

I have had the same problem with my current supplier and 2 previous suppliers. I took my case to the Energy Ombudsman and won. I received a credit for the overcharges and compensation each time. Apparently it is against OFGEM guidelines to bill for 2 standing charges when there is only one supply to the property.