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Back Billing
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benbenandme
Posts: 12,341 Forumite


in Energy
I joined my energy company in December 2020, I have a smartmeter from a previous company. I have been paying the whole time by direct debit and, like everyone else, my bills have gone up drastically - all fine so far. However my account is now £500 in credit and I was told they haven't billed me since December 2021. Having chased for this I have now been billed but they are saying that since December 2020 the gas usage has all been estimated and now they have done it on actual usage, so in effect I have used about £150 more than previously thought. I have queried this saying under backbilling rules they cannot charge me for any usage over 12 months ago that was estimated, they are saying that rule doesn't apply as I didn't submit meter readings (I have a smartmeter?). They won't back down but have offered me £50 "goodwill gesture". Is it worth me going to the ombudsman or are they right? Thanks for any help

Mortgage Total: £51,801 / £75,000
Mortgage Overpayments Pot £947
Mortgage Overpayments Pot £947
0
Comments
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Unfortunately an adverse decision by the Ombudsman means that the backbilling rules don't apply if you have sufficient credit to pay the unexpected bill.Call their bluff and see whether you can get the goodwill upped. Say you'll settle for £100 (and accept £75 if that's their final offer.)1
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They have billed on estimates which is allowed. It would be down to you to check the bill to see if actual or estimated reads have been used and any reads taken by the smart metering system would be shown on your on line account. Any estimated bill will have statement that you should check the readings against your meter. Having a smart meter is not a guarantee that the readings are being passed on or used, the whole system is a typical OFGEM failure as usual. You can take it to the ombudsman if you wish but IMO they have offered the same as the ombudsman would likely decide, in fact if you do take it further the £50 might come off the table and the ombudsman may find in their favour.
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Thank you both, currently if I pay the bill a it stands it would take my account £150 in debit, perhaps if as Gerry1 suggests I ask them to upp it a bit that may help? I appreciate what you say Molerat but I thought the point of a smartmeter was that I wouldn't have to keep providing meter readings? They must have been getting the readings as my electricity has been billed correctly throughout?Mortgage Total: £51,801 / £75,000
Mortgage Overpayments Pot £9470 -
benbenandme said:They must have been getting the readings as my electricity has been billed correctly throughout?
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At the end of the day you have used that energy, so whatever your conscience tells you to do.
Always best to send in readings every month and it's easy with a smart meter to do so👍1 -
benbenandme said:Thank you both, currently if I pay the bill a it stands it would take my account £150 in debit, perhaps if as Gerry1 suggests I ask them to upp it a bit that may help? I appreciate what you say Molerat but I thought the point of a smartmeter was that I wouldn't have to keep providing meter readings? They must have been getting the readings as my electricity has been billed correctly throughout?
Not idea I know, but at the end of the day you used the energy, it is only reasonable you pay for it.0
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