Hi

Hoping someone can give me some advice.

We moved into our property in Nov 2003, usually when you move you recieve a letter/bill from the current supplier. Nothing.

I had to phone round all companies and all told me they were not my supplier. I was advised to call the main database to find out who our supplier was ( cant remember the name of it), and they informed me it was scottish power. Numerous calls to scottish power and they still told me they didnt supply us? We did eventually just give up trying, knowing that one day we would recieve a bill.

That day came today....................................infact they have given us 2! one for period 27/05/07 - 30/11/08 for £1,645.52

and the other for period 01/12/08 - 28/05/09 for £2,547.55.............................................................GULP.

Both estimates, even though regularly throughout our time here meter readers for SCOTTISH POWER have come and read the meter?

So, can anyone tell me what I should now be doing? Does the 1 yr rule apply here? They always told us on the telephone they didnt supply us? I really really really need some help please?

thankyou in advance

Jo

ConsumerDirect and/or Consumer Focus may help.

For domestic properties, they can only bill you for the last year and the amount of the bill should be estimated by a sensible method that you and the supplier are both happy with. It's best to communicate in writing and keep posting receipts (ask at a post office counter) if you anticipate problems.

wineoclock:

As described it's an open and shut case regarding the one year rule. That's a regulatory requirement but how Scottish Power should have managed billing is further controlled by something called the Code of Practice for Accurate Billing. The clause on accuracy of estimates is probably relevant. In the absence of an actual reading estimates should only be based on previous (actual) consumption or typical consumption for your property. You haven't mentioned anything about your type of property so I have know idea if it's a reasonable estimate, but on the face it it's excessive for a domestic property.

The hardest thing for you will be to agree and be happy with an estimated start reading a year ago. Hit SP with the Code of Practice, see how it goes, and if not very quickly satisfied lodge a fomal complaint in accordance with the SP complaints procedure.

One other thing. If you say the meter readers were Scottish Power then they were Scottish Power but it's much more common for meter readers to be independent meter reading company employees. Whatever, makes no difference to customer rights.