Electricity Back Billing

Nikky

Very long story short. Our electricity meeting has stopped working and although the rep from the electricity company has been reading the meter on a regular basis it was only noticed in October of last year - we had no idea that it wasn't working as it is on the outside of the house in the locked cabinet and we just let the person read it and then lock up again.

So, after discussion we agreed a rate at which they would bill us based on the size of house, no of residents etc. 

According to what I have read, they are only allowed to back bill us for 12 months is that correct? The faulty meter is their responsibility - according to CAB they own it and they say on their website "Your supplier is responsible for making sure your meter works properly"

So surely this means that they can only bill us for 12 months supply at the agreed rate. Also we have been paying our direct debit the whole time we have been with the current supplier.

Any knowledge / advice appreciated.

Mark_d

If you have been using and paying #200 per month for your energy, as I do, then there should be no energy that needs to be back billed.  If you have been paying very little for your energy, then it could be argued that you should have been aware of the issue and you should have raised an issue with your supplier.
The back billing rules protect you if the supplier doesn't provide you with accurate bills as required.  But whilst the meter is the supplier's responsibility, this instance does not appear to be the supplier's fault.

sheramber

how do you know it has been broken for more than 12 months?

MSE_ForumTeam5

We've moved this to the Energy board

MeteredOut

Back billing is in place to prevent a bill shock; its not as simple as ">12 months old, don't have to pay".

So, what agreement was reached? Have they provided you with an estimated bill? If so, for what period of time and for how much kWh usage and cost, and when was it issued. If not, you need to ask for one, not just accept a figure from them.

And, how much have you paid them in DD during that time, and what is the difference between that amount and the bill. This is important because any DD payments you have made can be used to pay for electricity more than 12 months from the bill date.

Nikky

We don't know when the meter stopped working but can assume that they have looked back to see the number entered by their agent and can see when they didn't go up. They cannot obviously tell whether we have used more or less electricity during that period so have no idea of the actual amount used. We have an email agreement where they we have both accepted an annual rate of 3100kwh as this is the medium usage rate as agreed by OFGEM. 

We have paid our direct debit every month since we have been with them and continue to do so whilst the account is under investigation. According to CAB if there is a fault then they own the meter and as such it is there responsibility to maintain it. 

So if on day X (which might be 12 months ago or 3 years ago) our meter read a certain amount and then stopped working, is it right that they can now only bill us for the agreed annual amount of 3,100kwh for 1 year and not go back until they can see when it stopped. We have an email showing when they NOTICED there as a fault but not WHEN IT STOPPED. 

Maybe there is someone from the industry on the forum who can help?

and thanks

tim_p

Do you have gas as well ?

MeteredOut

Nikky said:

We don't know when the meter stopped working but can assume that they have looked back to see the number entered by their agent and can see when they didn't go up. They cannot obviously tell whether we have used more or less electricity during that period so have no idea of the actual amount used. We have an email agreement where they we have both accepted an annual rate of 3100kwh as this is the medium usage rate as agreed by OFGEM. 

We have paid our direct debit every month since we have been with them and continue to do so whilst the account is under investigation. According to CAB if there is a fault then they own the meter and as such it is there responsibility to maintain it. 

So if on day X (which might be 12 months ago or 3 years ago) our meter read a certain amount and then stopped working, is it right that they can now only bill us for the agreed annual amount of 3,100kwh for 1 year and not go back until they can see when it stopped. We have an email showing when they NOTICED there as a fault but not WHEN IT STOPPED. 

Maybe there is someone from the industry on the forum who can help?

and thanks

Some people on this board have often been accused of "working for <supplier>" when they have given advice that some don't like, but I'm not aware of anyone who has actively discloses that they still do.

But, what you do have is people with a lot of experience in dealing with suppliers.

So, can you give more details on

- What the supplier is asking for in kWh and for what period of times?
- What £ amount does that come to?
- What £ amount have you paid during that time?

Going on what you've said, I'd be pushing for back-billing rules to apply and to push to only pay for 1 years worth of energy based on what you have agreed (3100kWh). But, if your balance with the supplier from your DD payments means that you are in credit greater than that amount, the regulations allow them to use that to offset any usage prior to those 12 months.

If you can't come to an agreement with the supplier, wait 8 weeks or get a deadlock letter, then go the Energy Ombudsman.

Have you actually asked the supplier to apply backbilling rules?

QrizB

Nikky said:

We don't know when the meter stopped working but can assume that they have looked back to see the number entered by their agent and can see when they didn't go up.

It's quite unusual for a meter company to send out a reader regularly. Have you seen these visitors yourself? Has your energy company been sending you regular bills, either quarterly or monthly? What's the name of your supplier?

Nikky said:

We have an email agreement where they we have both accepted an annual rate of 3100kwh as this is the medium usage rate as agreed by OFGEM.

Ofgem's median consumption figure for a dual-fuel property hasn't been 3100kWh for at least five years now. It's currently 2700kWh. Your supplier should know this! Again, which supplier is this?

t0rt0ise

I'd be very wary of allowing the supplier to simply choose an amount to charge. I'd rather they fixed the meter then see what I used going forward and use that to decide possible previous use. For example in my 3 bedroomed place I use 1800 kWh electricity per year. Presuming you heat with gas, you may do the same.