Since you have to have a meter safety inspection every 2 years atleast, I don't understand why the readings that were taken weren't input on to the system.

What that will be that you've got is a Rights of Entry.

The best way to get this sorted is to ring up and speak to the collections department to set up a payment plan.

The reason why the direct debit was increased, is that it's reviewed every 6 months and then it's adjusted accordingly. The amount of money that's owed is basically to be paid off as well as your average usage.

If it's went to a Debt Collection Agency, then contact them to set up a payment plan. There'll be no way of totally getting out of it since you have still used the energy, although having almost half of that cut off is a massive gesture.

bplanky:

Is this a domestic or business supply?

If it is a domestic supply then NPower should observe the provisions of the Code of Practice for Accurate Billing. If the circumstances qualify only energy consumed in the last 12 months can be billed.

http://www.energy-retail.org.uk/customerbilling.html

If you think you qualify raise a formal complaint strictly in accordance with the NPower complaints procedure setting our your grievance. When/if you are not satisfied with the final response or they breach the very tight deadline for their response you are entitled to refer the matter to the Energy Ombudsman.

Good afternoon people.

We have been with Npower for a number of years now (about 5)

When we moved into the property, the supplier was already npower and to save more hassle, we thought we'd stick with them until our feet were firmly grounded - looking back now, it was a very big mistake!

To try and sum up a 5 year battle into a few short paragraphs:

1) We were billed on an estimated meter reading at £0.00 I rang up and gave meter reading

2) We were billed on an estimated meter reading at £0.00 I rang up and gave meter reading

3) We were billed on an estimated meter reading at £0.00 I rang up and gave meter reading

4) We were billed on an estimated meter reading at £0.00 I rang up and gave meter reading

5) We were billed on an estimated meter reading at £0.00 I rang up and gave meter reading

6) We were billed on an estimated meter reading at £0.00 I rang up and gave meter reading

We had engineers round to read the meters, several phone calls later, we were still being billed at £0.00

FINALLY they sorted themselves out and billed us for £5,000 and wanted immediate payment. We refused and queried why we should suffer due their loss.

They looked into it and told us that because they kept sending estimated bills for no money, they should have looked into whether the house was infact being occupied or not.
They apologised and cut £2,000 off the bill.
Without informing us, the upped the direct debit to £307 a month which we got a bank indemnity - which they didn't argue about.

We have told them that it took them 5 years to bill us, so we are more than happy to pay this bill off over a 5 year period... they don;t like that idea.

Today, a letter came through threatening to remove our meter and install a prepaid meter and court action.

Am very worried and have no idea where to turn..... hoping someone on here might have some advice for us.

Thanks.