Meter never been connected, but there's a bill

[chris600uk]

I've got a meter in my property that's never been connected since it was installed in April 2006.

I didn't expect a bill of any sort cos it wasn't connected to anything.

I wasn't surprised when I didn't get a bill.

But I was surprised when I got one for £335.36.

My question is, can they do this, can they charge if it's never been connected?

[ozzywizard]

Depends, is it a water, electric or gas meter. My guess is a gas meter but we need to know. On your bill, was it for standing charge or consumption ? did they have correct readings or estimates ? on the bill is the meter number the same as the disconnected one ? Which company ? and last do you not have a supply ? Oh also if it is gas or electric they can only go back 12 months if never billed.

[chris600uk]

Thanks for getting back to me.

It's electricity from scottish power.
It is connected to the supply.
No electricity has ever been through it.
It's not actually connected to any final or distribution circuit, or anything.

The only bill I have found is an estimated zero reading with no charge dated 13th June 2007, although it's possible there have been others, but all would have said the same.

The bill that's come is an Unpaid Reminder for £335.39.
If it was standing charge only which I could perhaps understand even though I haven't chosen a tariff for it that would be from about April 2006 at I believe 13.09 pence per day, or about £75.

But it's never been connected to anything, doesn't seem fair to me.

What do you think?

[ozzywizard]

Is it a prepayment meter ? if it is then the standing charge is correct, if not prepayment then there should not be a standing charge. They can only go back one year for unbilled charges according to the code for accurate billing. work out your standing charge x 52 weeks plus 5 per cent vat and this is all is owed.

[chris600uk]

No it's not a prepayment meter.

Does that mean that any standing charges on other meters that were connected but not used were wrong? Can I claim them back?

Chris

[ozzywizard]

Double check your tarrif, . I can say as fact BG and Powergen do not have a standing charge but for prepayment meters. All you should be billed is your useage.

Scotish power do have a standing charge tarrif
Unit price per kWh 9.203 Standing charge per year £53.28
So according to this, the most you can be billed is 53 pounds. this includes VAT.

[chris600uk]

Yes that's what I found as well.
Trawling through loads of letters that had never been opened and stuffed in various places during a truly chaotic year, I found that when we upgraded the supply - I personally dug the trench and laid the 4" conduit - the meters were installed all together on a large board outside the building, with no installations connected the accounts were set to the NSC option.

So what seems to have happened is that ScottishPower Manweb changed the tariff themselves without asking me first if that was what I wanted, which it wasn't.

I've emailed them, and I'm sending a followup hard copy asking for the tariff to be reset to No Standing Charge, and to be sent an amended bill.

I'll let you know what happens.

Chris.

[ozzywizard]

Yes please do Chris and good luck.

[chris600uk]

Sorry it's been so long, had a council tax issue to sort out.

Finally Scottishpower have reset all the tariffs back the way they should have been and have sent me a fistfull of zero bills!

Thanks for the support it makes all the difference,

Chris

[ozzywizard]

That is great Chris glad we could help and thanks for the update.