7 year Energy bill dispute, bill keeps increasing - any advice?

WiserMiser

IANAL and all that, but I doubt that the landlord can prevent you accessing the meter room. You need access not only to avoid the estimated bills problem, but also to shut off the gas supply if you suspect a leak or wish to change or service a gas appliance.

Make a formal request for access, supervised if necessary.

Robin9

 To register for the Priority Services Register with Octopus Energy, you can do the following:

• You are eligible if you are of pensionable age, disabled, or chronically sick. 

  1
• You can register or update your circumstances anytime through your online account. 

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• If you have specific communication needs, you may also qualify for the register. 

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• • 
    

Troublesum1

WiserMiser said:

IANAL and all that, but I doubt that the landlord can prevent you accessing the meter room. You need access not only to avoid the estimated bills problem, but also to shut off the gas supply if you suspect a leak or wish to change or service a gas appliance.

Make a formal request for access, supervised if necessary.

My Dad says he did and it was rejected

Robin9 said:

Age is not a criterion for PSR

It says on the website you are eligible for free PSR services if you: Are of pensionable age (amongst other things)

WiserMiser

You could ask Citizens Advice whether the landlord can prevent access to the meters.

What type of key is required?  Search online for Buy Meter Key and see whether anything is suitable.

Troublesum1

WiserMiser said:

You could ask Citizens Advice whether the landlord can prevent access to the meters.

What type of key is required?  Search online for Buy Meter Key and see whether anything is suitable.

From a quick google it seems Landlords are not allowed to do this. Honestly I think my Dad is hanging on this point because he doesn’t like that he is being made to do something that he’s never done.

it seems with a bit of common sense the meter can be read. Question is, is that the smartest thing to do right now? Does my Dad have any real basis for his “breach of contract” claims? Is there anyway to put the account or the debt in my Dad’s name to allow him to deal with it as he wishes? Thanks for all your help so far!

Robin9

IMO reading the meters will at least give you a better idea of the amount of debt.  Not easy to calculate as there will have been many changes of tariff since the last actual reading but you will be able to see how the last estimate ties in with the actual.

MattMattMattUK

Troublesum1 said:

WiserMiser said:

You could ask Citizens Advice whether the landlord can prevent access to the meters.

What type of key is required?  Search online for Buy Meter Key and see whether anything is suitable.

From a quick google it seems Landlords are not allowed to do this. Honestly I think my Dad is hanging on this point because he doesn’t like that he is being made to do something that he’s never done.

it seems with a bit of common sense the meter can be read. Question is, is that the smartest thing to do right now? Does my Dad have any real basis for his “breach of contract” claims?

From what you have said absolutely not, the only person in breach is your father by refusing to pay. 

Troublesum1 said:
Is there anyway to put the account or the debt in my Dad’s name to allow him to deal with it as he wishes? Thanks for all your help so far!

Not that I am aware of as a direct transfer. They could potentially add him to the account and them remove your mother, but the energy supplier could refuse to remove her until the debt was paid.

I think the landlord is being entirely unreasonably and acting illegally in blocking access to the meters, however, to be blunt, your father is being a complete idiot and only making his situation worse. 

MeteredOut

I think you might need some tough love with your father. Just get access to the meter room. He's not helping himself by being so obstinate.

Who is chasing the debt? First Utilitu or Octopus, or a debt collection agency acting on behalf of one of them?

In it is FU, they must have got a final bill from them as they'd typically block a transfer for an account in debt. Did that not happen? When did he moved to Octopus?

Can you share redacted copies of any final bills from FU and first bill from Octopus? And also copies of the bills he disputes with the kWh usage shown.

You said your dad asked to be disconnected but FU refused and continue to run up the bill. Do they believe they are still supplying your father?

Robin9

While the landlord is being unreasonable Octopus do not appear to be pursuing this debt of  £12k (others chase much smaller sums)

By the way OP as the account is in your mums' name it is she that could end up in court.= does you dad really want that.

Over the weekend knock on the neighbours doors.

MWT

MeteredOut said:

In it is FU, you must have got a final bill from them as they'd typically block a transfer for an account in debt. Did that not happen? Since when are you with Octopus?

Can you share redacted copies of any final bills from FU and first bill from Octopus? And also copies of the bills he disputes with the kWh usage shown.

You said your dad asked to be disconnected but FU refused and continue to run up the bill. Do they believe they are still supplying your father?

First Utility became Shell Energy, and Octopus acquired the Shell Energy retail business...