Back Billing Rules

monochrome_king

Looking for a bit of advice as to whether the Ofgem back billing rules apply in my situation.

Last week I received a "notice of intent to default" for about £400 in the post, only addressed to "the occupier". This was the first correspondence I had received about this amount - I had not received a bill for it. I spoke to SO energy, who informed me this amount is from January 2022, when one of their colleagues made a mistake in setting up the account. They didn't transfer the charge over to my account from when ESB and SO merged. I believe that I am not liable under the Ofgem back billing rules because the usage is over 2 years ago and I only found out about the bill a few days ago.

When I have spoken to SO energy today, they are claiming that the back billing rules don't apply because this is a debt transfer, not a recalculated bill. I don't see how this can be right, because if SO and ESB hadn't merged I wouldn't be liable, so the fact they have shouldn't have any impact.

Am I correct or am I going to have to fork out for the bill?

Mark_d

The back billing rules do not apply here because you had been advised you accrued this debt whilst you were with ESB.

monochrome_king

Even though i didn't receive a bill from ESB either?

Ectophile

You can make a formal complaint.  Then wait until they tell you they can't fix your complaint, or 8 weeks, whichever is earlier.  Then take it to the energy ombudsman.

The back billing rule does come down to whether or not you were ever billed for that electricity.