Not given meter reading since before COVID

Bseaguy28

Hello I was wondering if I could get some other people's opinions on the matter. I have not given an electricity meter reading since before COVID as my meter isn't in my property. I'm moving flat soon, so will need to give one. I did get the reading in February this year but after working out how much I'll owe, it will be over £5000. I haven't submitted the reading, I just worked out how much I'll owe from the standing charge and the rate. I think I was missold the economy 5 rate when I first moved in. I have been paying £150 in electricity for a one bed flat per month and yet I will still owe on top of that £5000 which I can't afford.

The electricity company has asked for a meter reading numerous times, but due to financial hardship over COVID (due to loss of earnings), I let it spiral out of control and am a bit stuck. The flat in which the meter is in was empty for 2 and a half years and I was unable to get a reading then. I've had the electricity company knocking on my door to take a reading but they've been unsuccessful as it's in the neighbours flat. I haven't been obstructive and they said they'll report back to the electricity company but they probably won't listen about the meter not being in my property.

I'm really stuck as to what to do. I want my new flat to be a fresh start. I'm unsure of which electricity company I'll be with but it will be a prepayment smart meter according to my new landlord. How should I proceed with this? I'm moving out in a month and will owe a horrendous amount of money. Will I have back bill protection? I'm unsure of how I will manage this debt. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

born_again

Have you not been paying anything to the energy supplier over the last 4 years?

Bseaguy28

I've been paying their estimates which have been at £150 for quite a while now. A couple of years, maybe.

born_again

So it may not be as bad as you think.

Once someone moved into flat, did you not think to go & get a reading?

Bseaguy28

The £5000 I worked out is on top of the £150 I have been paying per month, so around £83 per month extra since I last gave a meter reading in July 2019. So should have been paying (if equally divided) £233 per month for a one bed flat.

When a new tenant moved into the downstairs flat a year and a bit a go, I did think to give a meter reading but was scared in all honesty about how much I may have been underpaying due to the lack of meter reading over that time period and running on their estimates. I have since found a new property as the landlord wants me out and took a meter reading in Feb because I did want to get on top of it. I took it to find out how much I'll owe and then was too scared to give it to the energy company.

Reed_Richards

You will not have back bill protection for failing to provide a meter reading.  That would be too easy and would just encourage everybody else to do the same.  You may have to come to an agreement with your electricity supplier to pay off the debt by instalments.  But can the debt really be as high as you think?  Electricity prices have changed a lot since before COVID, making it quite difficult to work out what you owe.      

Bseaguy28

I wasn't able to give a meter reading over COVID due to not being able to enter the downstairs flat. Then the tenant left and the flat was empty for 2 and a half years, with the new tenant moving in a year and a half ago. So I'd have only been able to give a meter reading from when they moved in, but - which is totally my fault - I was too scared to get one and submit it. It was only in Feb that I plucked up the courage to get one to work out how much I'll owe and then didn't submit it due to the amount I would owe. I haven't got the money to repay that, I'm struggling as it is and have struggled financially since COVID.

Sea_Shell

What rates have you used to calculate what you think you owe?   Have you been on any fixes, or deals?

The standard rates have been all over the place these last few years.   So without interim (quarterly) readings it's very hard to do.

Bseaguy28

Not been on any fixes or deals, just the energy companies estimates. I know, I've made a bit of a nightmare for myself.

Swipe

£233 per month for a one bed flat seems excessive. I don't even pay that for a detached bungalow with storage heaters.

leonj

How did you work that figure out? it seems hugely excessive unless you are growing weed or mining crypto