Final demand for a property over 2 and a half years ago

TraceyBabs

I moved out of a rented property 2 years 8 months ago. My supplier was EDF. I took meter readings and after receiving a few varying (and challenged) bills I settled my FINAL bill on 20th Sept 2021. 
I joined a new supplier and pay every month as expected. 2 weeks ago I received a text from EDF demanding over a thousand pounds by return. I reported it as a scam! I then received an email for a final demand for the same amount. I emailed back and stated the facts above and that it was very worrying to be sent a final demand, threats to affect my credit score etc. I received a response saying they understand but could I send meter readings as the thousand ponds was an estimate! Meter readings from 2 years 8 months ago!!
I called and asked to speak to a manager and was told they would call me within an hour. that was nearly 2 weeks ago and no call. I have just received an urgent demand through the post.
they have given no explanation, no breakdown etc. How is this allowed? And how can I get them to take into account my emails & call? 

Brie

Hopefully you still have a copy of the meter reading from when you moved.  Just send them that and say that as the bill was logged as final and you paid it in full there is nothing further for them to contact you about.  

Aylesbury_Duck

Assuming you have all the appropriate meter readings from your last few months there, and most importantly, the reading you should have taken just before moving out, go back to them with those and ask them to sort out a proper bill based on those readings, not based on an estimate.

Look back over your last few bills from that time.  Are they estimates, or accurate ones based on readings you supplied?

TraceyBabs

Thanks both. I did give meter readings when I moved out and the final bill was not based on estimates. That's why I just can't believe they can suddenly come up with £1049 outstanding. I have informed them of the back billing principle but they just send generic emails saying 'we understand but send meter readings' or 'pay now'.

Aylesbury_Duck

I'd send them an email once a week, asking for the details to verify this debt.  That way you have evidence of attempting to resolve the problem should you ever need it.  Other than that, I'd do nothing until they send an actual legal summons of some sort, e.g. small claims papers.  You have all the details to contest any claim, so if they want to take it that far, they'll lose.

Edited to add:  It's possible that the new occupants entered the wrong starting readings, and that's what's mucked things up.  Or maybe there was a big gap between you moving out and new tenants moving in.  In any case, that's not your problem if you supplied an accurate reading when you moved out and they billed you at the time accordingly.

Okell

TraceyBabs said:

Thanks both. I did give meter readings when I moved out and the final bill was not based on estimates. That's why I just can't believe they can suddenly come up with £1049 outstanding. I have informed them of the back billing principle but they just send generic emails saying 'we understand but send meter readings' or 'pay now'.

As this is an energy bill query you might be better off asking on the energy board:  Energy — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Phones4Chris

@TraceyBabs

The only thing I can think of to add to all the above is to send them the information by making a formal complaint. See https://www.edfenergy.com/help-support/making-complaint
Head the email "Formal Complaint".

If you find yourself getting nowhere fast, then as a penultimate last resort try the CEO-Team  ceo-team@edfenergy.com

Let us know how you are getting on, and if you have to contact the CEO_Team but are still banging your head against a wall, I'll give you one further last resort (Send me a PM).

WBCPB

Phones4Chris said:

@TraceyBabs

 I'll give you one further last resort (Send me a PM).

Why all the secrecy?

TraceyBabs

Thanks everyone. I emailed quoting the back billing principle ' a supplier can’t seek additional payment for unbilled energy used more than 12 months prior to the error being detected and a corrected bill being issued' They have now come back with a long, convoluted email saying it is something to do with the supplier before they took over the account in 2020 and that I now owe £257! Better than £1k but they still can't bill me after 12 months. They have raised a complaint so hopefully this will get sorted. I owe nothing and will follow the complaints procedure if necessary. What a joke. What worries me is more vulnerable people may have been scared into paying   

FreeBear

Who was your supplier prior to EDF taking over the account in 2020 ?

TraceyBabs

Green Energy Network were the previous supplier. EDF have just emailed again saying they understand etc etc but to sort it out could I send the property address & postcode! The address that is on all their correspondence!!