Court action to release me from supplier

Sedgers1

I’ve had an issue with Octopus for over a year that is now with the ombudsman. Inflated bills from a suspected faulty meter they won’t replace. In the event of no joy with Ombudsman can I take them to court to clear the existing dept I’m disputing (about £300) so I can transfer to another supplier. At the moment I’m held to ransom by this which I don’t believe I owe. My bills for a 4 bed house that has most of the heating off is averaging £300 a month with one month when I was charged over £500. I’ve been in tears on the phone with them and still nothing to resolve the issue and court seems my only option at this point. 

QrizB

If you have to go to court, you might find Money Claim Online is the simplest approach:

https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim

Can you share some more details of your meter fault, and what you've been through so far with Octopus?

MWT

Sedgers1 said:

I’ve had an issue with Octopus for over a year that is now with the ombudsman. Inflated bills from a suspected faulty meter they won’t replace

If you are contemplating court action, some evidence would help your case, and it should be pretty easy to demonstrate if the meter is significantly faulty or not with a couple of simple tests...

Before that though, have Octopus offered to fit a check meter at any point?

To save time, have you actually done any tests yet to check the meter stops when everything is off, or that a device with a known energy consumption like a kettle or electric heater registers the right amount of energy consumed?

Didn't want to do a lot of typing if you've already done something similar...

Gerry1

Welcome to the forum.

What factual evidence do you have to support your view that the meter is faulty?  Are you referring to electricity, gas, or both?

For a start, you need to think in kWh not ££, and you need to show how the meter is malfunctioning, e.g. incrementing when everything is switched off at the consumer unit / gas meter, or recording excessive consumption when only a high power device of known consumption is switched on.

It needs a calm, rational approach: unfortunately an emotional one bereft of facts simply won't cut the mustard, quite the reverse.

Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh, but that's the reality; starting a court case will just backfire expensively, so the first thing to do is to establish a sound case.

Let's see some bills with actual meter readings and then forumites may be able to offer some effective help.

[Deleted User]

Sedgers1 said:

I’ve had an issue with Octopus for over a year that is now with the ombudsman. Inflated bills from a suspected faulty meter they won’t replace. 

There is no point in considering Court action until you have a Final Decision from The Energy Ombudsman. If the Decision is not in your favour then your chances of winning in a Court are very limited.

What you are describing is not the Octopus that I know. I suggest that you email Greg.jackson@octopus.energy

I am sure that he will intervene with his staff on your behalf. As others have said, you need to provide facts based on actual meter readings. All your previous statements are available in your online account. Finally, if you truly believe that your meter is faulty then ask for a check meter. There will only be a small charge if your meter is found to be working properly.