Energy tariff after death

pharmacybitch

My father died in December and we paid a final bill at the time.  His house has been empty for 8 months and the final bill for this is £470.  Just thought this was quite excessive but wondered if it’s put onto standard (high) tariff after death.  

Heating was set to come on briefly in winter months but other than that not much was used.  

sammyjammy

Possibly excessive, when you say briefly what does that mean in reality?  How much of the bill is standing charges and VAT?

dunstonh

His house has been empty for 8 months and the final bill for this is £470.  

The final bill does not necessarily cover just the eight months.
Was an actual reading given back in December? (i.e. not an estimate)
How does that compare the an actual reading given on the final bill?
Was the account in deficit or credit back in December?

e.g. if he was in arrears by £200 at the time of death, then the final bill will include that.   Or if an estimate was used back in December and it was not close to the actual reading.

born_again

Is bill for Gas & Electric?

Best way to check is take the reading you gave at the point of your fathers death. & the reading now. Don't forget the standing charge. 
You can then work out the costs from there.

Which at a rough £1 a day is going to be over £200

Gerry1

Presumably you kept the CH set to at least 10°-12°C to prevent burst pipes, mould etc and to meet insurance requirements?  £470 doesn't seem particularly excessive, bearing in mind that standing charges won't be reduced by low consumption.

Scot_39

Assuming dual fuel - over 8m + - half that amount could be standing charges (regional ave c£330pa x 2/3 = £220)