Options for challenging incorrect bill

Petriix

I've experienced similar with other companies and have always had my complaint upheld with compensation being paid in my favour. They can attempt to pass the alleged debt on, but debt collection agencies don't like trying to enforce disputed debts. Ultimately they would have to take you to court and, given your evidence, you would likely win. If you can get the judge to agree that they've been unreasonable then you could be awarded damages - there is case history of this happening.

Ultimately you have little to worry about. Ask for a deadlock letter and raise your complaint with the Ombudsman. 

Mobtr

you really need to make sure this is raised as a complaint, get the complaint ref number and the name of the person dealing with it. Tell them exactly what you want and if it’s not forthcoming within 2 weeks, you want a deadlock letter & will be going to the ombudsman. It obviously wasn’t raised as a complaint previously as I don’t think an open complaint would lie dormant for 6 months without being flagged up. If it WAS raised & you have the complaint ref number, it may have been closed their end so tell them it’s not resolved and want it reopened. A complaint open over 8 weeks does not require a deadlock letter so you can go straight to the ombudsman 

Qyburn

Is there any discrepancy with dates? I mean is your opening reading definitely taken on the date that they're billing from and the date of their estimated reading? Just thinking of potential gaps between exchanging contracts, completion, actually getting access. I may have the wrong terminology, as the proceed in Scotland is different.

EssexHebridean

I would be inclined to say that if you officially raised it as a formal complaint originally, whether or not they issued a reference number could well be irrelevant now. If that is the situation, I would suggest that you can escalate directly to the Ombudsman now without needing to wait any additional time.

if you get a contact from a DCA in the meantime, inform the DCA that the account is the subject of an Ombudsman case and that they might wish to wash it back to the supplier, or at the least put a hold on any action pending the result. If they persist, then post on the DFW board with a link to this thread in your opening post.