Timescale for production of final bill by energy supplier

Rohiba

Hi, I've just been sent a 'smart final gas bill' by SSE 3 years and 7 months after I switched away from them. Does anyone know if there a timeframe within which energy suppliers must supply a final bill? I was looking for some advice before I ring SSE and challenge them about this. My current supplier (Octopus) recently remotely updated my smart meters (which they previously had not been able to take readings from) so I think this may have prompted SSE's systems to produce this unexpected bill. Thanks. 

Alnat1

Do you still have details of the final readings that you gave to SSE and do they match what's on the bill?

Rohiba

Alnat1 said:

Do you still have details of the final readings that you gave to SSE and do they match what's on the bill?

Thanks for your reply. I don't have the readings but the bill amount seems to be about right for the period of use.

Mstty

Why is it unexpected? If you know you used the energy and didn't play for it at the time?

If you think it is wrong challenge them, of not pay it?

[Deleted User]

Rohiba said:

Hi, I've just been sent a 'smart final gas bill' by SSE 3 years and 7 months after I switched away from them. Does anyone know if there a timeframe within which energy suppliers must supply a final bill? I was looking for some advice before I ring SSE and challenge them about this. My current supplier (Octopus) recently remotely updated my smart meters (which they previously had not been able to take readings from) so I think this may have prompted SSE's systems to produce this unexpected bill. Thanks. 

If your Final Bill was raised for a supply that transferred last week, then the supplier would have 6 weeks to issue a Final Bill, and then 5 years and 46 weeks to revise it if errors came to light and additional money was being sought (The Statute of Limitations England). 

In your case, the present Ofgem Regulation would not apply. That said, even if it did, we are not talking about write off , just compensation. Moreover, the Licence Condition is worded using the word  ‘reasonable’ endeavours to raise a Final Bill. Lawyers have got very rich arguing about what is reasonable and unreasonable.

PS When the Final Bill does arrive, you should check that both suppliers involved in the switch/transfer process have used the same reading to open and close your accounts.

Worth a read:

https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/can-i-write-off-debt/statute-barred-debt.aspx

Ultrasonic

This rather begs the question of why you hadn't chased the final bill somewhat sooner yourself, but if you think it's valid I'd just pay it and move on.

Alnat1

Agree with Ultra, if it's not excessive and appears to be correct, pay up what you owe. Look on the positive side, you had the use of their money for 3 years.