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Back Billing

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benbenandme
benbenandme Posts: 12,341 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Photogenic
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

Comments

  • Gerry1
    Gerry1 Posts: 10,848 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    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.)
  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 34,580 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 19 April 2022 at 4:17PM
    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.
  • benbenandme
    benbenandme Posts: 12,341 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Photogenic
    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 £947
  • MWT
    MWT Posts: 10,257 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    They must have been getting the readings as my electricity has been billed correctly throughout?
    Just because they were getting the electricity readings does not ensure that they were getting the gas readings, but that is certainly something you will want to ask them about to avoid problems in the future.

  • Mstty
    Mstty Posts: 4,209 Forumite
    1,000 Posts First Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    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👍
  • MattMattMattUK
    MattMattMattUK Posts: 11,193 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    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?
    Only if it stays smart, some of them go dumb when switching suppliers, the gas meter might have also stopped communicating but the electricity meter carried on working, or worked after the switch.

    Not idea I know, but at the end of the day you used the energy, it is only reasonable you pay for it. 
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