Hi, I've lived where I am now (in council property) for about 3 years. I was with southern electricity for lecy and gas before I got here and I paid them off what I owed them when I moved in. Very shortly after I moved in i went to a different supplier, I signed all the paperwork and the door-to-door sales chap (who was very nice) called his office and arranged it all over the phone and it was done-or so I thought...

Its been a while now and after several phone calls and letters, this new company have still not issued me with a bill for electricity OR gas. I have recieved statements to the effect of them thinking I have pay as you go key meters. Its all very nice getting it free but I'm expecting a huge bill any day now and I'm worried I wont be able to afford it!

I'm also thinking of moving soon... not sure what to do about moving address and companies...

Help-please !  :-\

Hi --- According to Energywatch, suppliers can only backdate bills for one year where they have failed to send you a bill, this applied from July 2007 extract below. It used to be two years but changed to one year last July.

1. From July 2006 they should no longer seek payment from consumers where they have not billed a customer for two years. From July 2007 this period should reduce to one year.

http://www.energywatch.org.uk/help_and_advice/billing_basics/index.asp#2

This has been agreed by Ofgem and is part of the codes of practice, so you should not be billed for anything used more than a year ago.

Hi, thanks for reply....

thats a huge weight off my mind. It'll still be a big bill but obviously not as big.

...but does that still apply due to the fact they have not been billing me as they think I have a key meter? They've been sending 'statements for my records regular and they keep sending stuff to the previous tennant too! 

Maybe if I just moved out and changed supplier in my new place (which I'm hoping to buy just after crimbo) they would still assume key meters are still here and when the new people move in would they would organise their own supplier and key meters or normal meters and no-ones the wiser?? ;-\

iffy though! lol.

Hi -- It's the power supply companies responsibility to know exactly what meters they have installed at a property, inspect them for safety and read them on time, not yours. !

I am sure when the truth is known and if they try to wrongly bill you contrary to existing agreements, that Energywatch would take up your case if you referred the complaint to them.

In accordance with the ground rules on this matter, I am sure they would find the case in your favour and only expect you to have the liability within those rules.

You may find it useful to print off that article and keep it as a reference for any future problems, it's always nice to be able to produce documents that back up what you are saying. !!

Thanks buddy. Been great help. All the best to you and yours :0)

You too -- Have a nice Crimbo and keep well warm.  : - )

james178,

Conmankiller has looked after you well on this one.

To just repeat what has already been said, the rules regarding backdating energy bills have changed meaning energy providers can only backdate you for a maximum of one year. That is if you have proof that you have made an effort to contact them and inform that you have not received an energy bill.

I'd therefore advise that you ensure you keep a copy/note of each time you speak to the provider and if you call make sure you get a name.

It would be advisable to continue chasing the provider on this as the longer you leave it the higher the dreaded bill can be.

Southern Electric, part of the Scottish & Southern Group, are actually the market leaders when it comes to customer service and so I'm surprised they haven't dealt with this properly.

If things get a little tricky on this one be sure to contact energywatch on 08459 06 07 08 and ask for their support.

Good luck!

---

Regards,



Scott Byrom

Utilities Manager

moneysupermarket.com

I'm back!

With regards to the above... and as thick as I may seem... It's now come to light that for whatever reason, the direct debit money from my partners account was not paying for services from my new supplier (southern) and edf have continued supplying my property in the previous occupants name and they want their £1244 from the last 4 years!!! (we have now proved the serial numbers on the meter to edf) The bank wont discuss this with me as its my partners account not mine. She has the bank looking into it and they pretty much said dont hold your breath about it being sorted anytime soon.

I had no reason to be opening the huge amounts of letters of the previous occupant of my property, and having set up my account with a real genuine live door to door salesman from southern who did the relevant calls at my house back in april 04 I had no reason to suspect their was something wrong and I have a 'last bill'. (As far as I was aware that was for my previous address and for end of service at my new address here.) Southern now have my gas as edf let it go as no money is owed on that, but wont let the leky go until the outstanding amount is paid and they dont care who lives here they just want their money! A nice lady called cathy is dealing with this at edf but i'd like to be sure of my position.

Do I owe these people all this back-dated money? They have said they'll transfer the account into my name but I dont want it-nor the £1244 bill attached to it-which is in someone elses name!!

Cant believe how stiched up I've been. This lady is calling me back on monday. Help-pls... anyone?... :0/

Do I owe these people all this back-dated money? They have said they'll transfer the account into my name but I dont want it-nor the £1244 bill attached to it-which is in someone elses name!!

No of course not, you do not want it in you're name either.

I bet they want you to accept it..... that would be a real nice easy way for them to hold you accountable for someone-elses past usage and debt. !!!!!

The advice you have been given all along is spot on, do not get pushed into accepting what you are not liable for, either wait for Scott to reply or contact energywatch.

Sounds like good advice, thanks again. I'll get on to them monday and see what they say.

Thanks buddy, be safe and well. James :o)

Have called edf twice now and been told cathy will call me back ASAP as she's dealing with it, but to date nothing.

Cant see why i should chase a bill thats not mine but for the sake of not receiving debt collectors at my door and the black mark on the finance records at my address that goes with it.

Ebico have said they'll take over my gas from last month but have since said edf are waiting for a meter reading-even though they have it registered as a card pre-payment meter!... Beggers belief sometimes dont it!!

So, I'm onto energy watch today to see what they say as I'd like to be loaded with brain ammo for when I finally get in touch with cathy at edf.

To top things off my girlfriend and I have split so no chance of getting anything from her bank to prove the payments were coming out of her account and where too. There goes 8 years :( (I suppose she'll enjoy a nice summer holiday with her new bloke with that money when its returned from cyberspace! Why aint england got a "judge judy"?!)

Right, trying to not be suicidle so fighting all the way. If I'm not back in five days... keep waiting!! lol. Thanks guys.

...Right, been onto energywatch, not much help there as the woman was confused by all the stuf above so she put me through to edf!!!

Angie is now dealing with it and called me back when she said she would, only to tell me as far as they're concerned southern electric have made 2 attempts in the past to take over this account and have twice failed... (Proves I tried to go over to them in 2004...) Because southern have no record of me and I have no record of payments made -to anyone (see above) Im stuffed! Angie at edf says I gotta take meter readings each day for 7 days and she'll ring me on thursday next and then work out an average over the 4 or so years I've lived here and provide the bill.

She also said they may let me go to another supplier once a payment plan is in place to recover the outstanding amount. I now am facing a £2k leky bill which I thought was paid. I'm not going to get the money from my ex and am now feeling rather sick!!

Good news though, apparently, ebico have taken over the gas on 28th March although edf have still not let it go for unknown reasons. I've asked angie to close that account ASAP as its going to create even more confusion trying to get reimbursed what Im paying them if I'm paying ebico too...

(and breathe............ Grrr :o/ )

Still not sure I'm supposed to be paying this-especially all of it from 4 years ago??? Dont they have an obligation to make sure the property tennant is the bill holder or something? I mean, to leave it 4 years to start kicking up about money owed as they've not received a payment during that time is "simply not on!"

Any more help or advice would be grately appreciated. Not sure what sort of bill to expect-can they knock it back for four years or does this new 1 year rule kick in somewhere?

HHHHEEEELLLPPP!!!!!

Sorry pal but without me actually doing it for you, then you just have to stand firm by your rights above, about the backdating rules which have been explained and which will be further reinforced by Energyatch if you need re-assurance.

Simply tell them you know your rights and you are not prepared to pay anymore than you are liable for.

"Angie at edf says I gotta take meter readings each day for 7 days and she'll ring me on thursday next and then work out an average over the 4 or so years I've lived here and provide the bill."

Why dont you cut off your elec and gas for a week so it will be really really low? :)

Also dont forget

"According to Energywatch, suppliers can only backdate bills for one year where they have failed to send you a bill, this applied from July 2007 extract below. It used to be two years but changed to one year last July."

EDF are absolute muppets, I have had bad dealings with them in the past and they are clueless. As ConmanKiller says, stand by your rights, and speak to the CAB and EnergyWatch to get a case started on this. Dont accept anything in your name, challenge everything, refuse to do anything unless you get it in writing first, and generally make it as difficult as possible for them. Also you might want to outline your case in a letter sent recorded delivery to EDF energy, explain the Energywatch as above, and suggest that you're happy to pay your last year's bill (suggest a figure to them and offer to pay it there and then) include a record of all contact you've had with them, and suggest that any further demands for the full amount will be construed as harrassement and you will seek further action in the courts to resolve the matter.

Good luck and please keep us posted on events as they unfold.