Notice of Intent from Together Energy...

mmunro2013

I have just received in the post a Notice of Intent from Together Energy (TE), now ceased trading, asking me to pay an outstanding balance on my account with them (they are asking for £3673.67). I have been in dispute with them since 2019. There is a lot of history, however in short, I raised a complaint with the Ombudsman who found in my favor. All relates to Ofgem's back billing policies and suppliers charge recovery actions. TE originally emailed a Notice of Intent to me for the same amount on 19th July 2022 (which I disputed in emails). However, my question for this forum is how long is a Notice of Intent valid for? surely there is a time limit as to when I am expected to pay? (Even though I dispute the amount).

Ectophile

If they want to take you to court, they have 6 years from the date of the alleged debt.  Unless you're in Scotland, when it's 5 years.

TELLIT01

If you have Legal Assistance on your home insurance policy, now might be a good time to contact them.

mmunro2013

Thanks for your responses... I guess I should formally go back to them and ask for proof of debt? 

molerat

Is the dispute over back billing for an amount that is actually owed or a dispute over the amount ?

mmunro2013

Good question!... TBH I realise I probably do owe something, however according to the Ofgem notice (Ofgem bans suppliers from backbilling customers beyond 12 months | Ofgem) suppliers are not allowed to backbill customers for energy used more than 12 months from them implementing some form of recovery action (e.g., changing your DD)

molerat

The problem is that OFGEM rules only apply to licenced energy suppliers so TE could argue the normal debt rules apply as they are not governed by OFGEM codes, it may be that they only need to prove the debt is valid to a court.  You need to be able to counter that with hard numbers.  Have you got copies of all bills, payments and meter readings from the period in question ?

born_again

You really need to get this moved to the Energy board where they have far more knowledge on energy rules & regulations.

Manxman_in_exile

born_again said:

You really need to get this moved to the Energy board where they have far more knowledge on energy rules & regulations.

+1                      

brewerdave

There is a TE customer support group on Facebook that is alive with ex customers being threatened with debt collection for huge sums that are in dispute. Suspect the administrators have given up trying to sort out the unholy mess that was T.E's accounting system and are preparing to sell on the rubbish to debt collectors for p in the £ in order to close down their administration.

FreeBear

molerat said:

The problem is that OFGEM rules only apply to licenced energy suppliers so TE could argue the normal debt rules apply as they are not governed by OFGEM codes, it may be that they only need to prove the debt is valid to a court.  You need to be able to counter that with hard numbers.  Have you got copies of all bills, payments and meter readings from the period in question ?

If the Energy Ombudsman had passed a ruling on the complaint, TE would have been subject to OFGEM regulation at that time. In my opinion, the administrators would still need to abide by the ruling. If they went to court, I suspect they would have a difficult time proving their case when presented with the EO decision.