Electricity Company trying to charge for their mistakes.

[beanwright]

Hi LegalBeagles,

I have recently moved from a property and have given final meter readings for my gas and electricity. These readings were accepted and a final bill was sent to me for the final month of my tenancy there (I got bills monthly).

The final bill, as well as all others leading up to this point, was paid in full well within the guideline timescale given.

Things went quiet for a month or so and I expected to never hear from them again. Then, the other day I received an additional bill for over £200. The bill dates are for the entire year that I was with them and it seems that the company has basically cancelled all prior bills, credited my account with the total that I'd paid in that month and then charged me for the year again, taking off the credited amount, but leaving an additional £200 to be paid.

We've looked into this and it seems that there was an error with some of the estimated readings in a few of the months, which led to a negative balance on one of the 3 meters, thus taking off money which I actually should have paid at the time. This is obviously a legitimate error on their end that they've clocked and are now trying to get there money back.

But surely, regardless of the fact that it was incorrect at the time, I've now paid my final bill and all bills before and if there's an error, is it not the companies problem? Anyway, I ignored the extra £200 bill and there's no threat of further actions being taken and a private debt collector company (Opus) keep trying to ring me.

I just wanted to know if a) I am legally responsible to pay the debt, even though it was not my fault and nothing to do with the meter readings I have given, which have all been accurate and have paid every bill in full, or b) if because the issue happened on their end and months ago, and that I have proof of the final bill being settled before this (I believe I also have proof of company members saying there will be no further charges after that final bill I paid) that I should not have to pay for their mistake?

I'd love to get some legal help with this as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time!

Ben.

[des8]

Re: Electricity Company trying to charge for their mistakes.

If the errors occurred over 12 months before billing, the back billing regulations prevent the company claiming the shortfall.
If the errors occurred within 12 months of the request for payment, they can bill you for it.

Check you credit rating to make sure they haven't marked it!

[ostell]

Re: Electricity Company trying to charge for their mistakes.

If they have an actual reading when you left then it doesn't matter if there had benn errors with estimated readings previously as the actual reading would have sorted it all out. Have they provided you with full details of how they calculated tgeir apparent error?

[beanwright]

Re: Electricity Company trying to charge for their mistakes.

If they have an actual reading when you left then it doesn't matter if there had benn errors with estimated readings previously as the actual reading would have sorted it all out. Have they provided you with full details of how they calculated tgeir apparent error?

They had actual readings every month, but there was an issue with the meter itself that meant the meter readings were actually reversing the figure as an estimate to get back to the actual reading. So basically, the figure was reset and as a result the estimates were going negative and taking money off of the bill.

They've not acknowledged the error though, they wont explain the reasons for the bill at all. They're just saying I now have to pay it.