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Morning
I have just received a gas bill dating back to 2003 as a first bill from EDF - we moved in at that time & looked to change supplier to nPower (the same as our electric) - despite several calls the paperwork was misplaced & never moved to nPower.
Our fortunes changed soon after moving & we were & still are struggling badly financially.
My question is this
Can they ask for gas supplied so long ago or does the one year rule apply?
Also - it says on the bill that it is a First Bill - we have have nothing in the interim period - does this make a difference?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanx
Hector
as a quick follow up - I have found the energy industry guidelines - which EDF have signed up to - stating that if they have not billed us or read the meter, despite knowing we are in the property using the supply, then they can only go back 12 months.
Is this the case as they have us on file (the bill was addressed to us not "The Occupier") or am I reading something wrong?
any advice would be gratefully received
thanx
Hector
it depends on a few things. The billing code only applies in certain circumstances...
Is it a newly built property where EDF didnt know the supply was installed? They can supply without knowing believe it or not.
If the address in their system was a plot address from when the property was built, then a meter reader would not be able to find the address, if you didnt call to update the details the billing code will not apply.
I can't answer your questions unfortunately, as I don't know. However I thought I would let you know about the EDF Energy trust.
I found myself in a position of being £334 in arrears with my electricity with EDF. This was due to a mix up with direct debits, basically I went 3 months (in winter) without them taking a d/d from my account after I had switched to monthly d/d. I am on disability benefits and there was no way I could pay it. I found out about the EDF Energy trust for people in hardship or fuel poverty etc. So I googled it and completed an application which is online. You have to supply all your financial details and provide proof of your circumstances but they may help you with a non repayable grant. I was given £525.57, which is creditied to your account. It was a massive weight lifted from me, as I had been paying £128 a month to clear the arrears and cover my monthly payment plan.
I don't know what your circumstances are but it can't hurt for you to take a look. I hope this info is of some use and help to you.
Simon
Hi Nottslad
yes - it was a new build - the Barratt sales office took readings & supplied the details to the relevant companies ( we had all bills for the electric which we put in my wifes name only ) - however we bought the house in joint names & the billing has come in my wifes name only & to the correct address ( not a plot number ) which leads me to believe that we have supplied the correct details at some earlier stage.
Hi Simon
Thanx for the info - this may help us as well
quick update
After many letters for me as responses to continuing bill payment requests, I have now had a letter from them asking for my original contacts to the gas supplier.
As I have already said, Barretts were contacting all utilities to arrange the supply, & they must have done so as we had bills from water/electric/sewerage (but no gas bill)
We asked npower to take over the gas supply in early 2004, they came back & said they did not know who was supplying us & could not tell us.
We made the assumption that someone would come after us as some stage requesting payment (as has now happened)
Should we now requst written confirmation from Barretts regarding who they contacted regarding the gas supply & pass this infomation onto EDF?
I just want to be careful regarding what I say to EDF so as not to give them any information that could be used against me.
thanx Hector
contact the barrats sales office, they should have copies of the handover details, meter reads etc that they send to the utilities, provided they haven't purged the info with it being so long ago...
If your elec and gas were with the same supplier then billing code would definately apply, the only thing that may prevent it applying is if you never made contact with edf to chase up the bill in the first instance
just wanted to update all of you who have helped me with this.
EDF have today agreed the Billing Code of Practice applies - so have reduced my bill by 80%
A very big THANX to all who have advised me
Hector
Also did you in fact sign a contract with EDF at any time and did you receive confirmation that they did in fact take over the supply? could be that if they did not follow up on the take over with the original supplier you are still being supplied by them and EDF cant charge you anything!
Thanx for the reply.
I believe that EDF were the original supplier - they should have been informed by Barratts when we moved in - so I assume they should have just taken us on as a customer, even though we have never signed up to them
Maybe? not sure about contract la in this instance. Quatum meruit may apply, that is where a cause of action is available where a contract does not exist. The cause of action entitles a person to recover reasonable payment for the work or services performed.
It is a deemed contract under the gas and electricity act or something similar (had one too many vodkas to remmber exactly) but basically by using the supply you agree to pay the supplier of that meter for the gas/elec usage.
EDF gas bill
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