Faulty time switch on meter

[newton]

Am on economy seven and it appears that the day rate switch is and has been faulty for some time- so have only been charged on night rate. I have not realised but they now want to repair/replace it.

My concern is it appears that it has been like this for a number of years and only just come to light.

Can the electricity supplier

• Pursue me for the outstanding amount and
• How would they arrive at an appropriate consumption figure
• Can this be challenged
• If i wanted to change suppliers would i be tied into the current supplier untill the outstanding amount is paid off in full

[nick49]

i believe they have to read your meter once every 2 years so they should have picked up on this when they read the meter and if they didnt i think you should be able to argue that had they spotted it sooner you would have paid and you are not at fault. also they probably have a team of people that should have noticed that your consumption has been too low based on your house and the number of people living there and investigated earlier.
generally you wont be able to switch suppliers until any debts have been cleared.
who's your supplier?

[newton]

SHHH............ its your employers

[dx100uk]

i beleive there is a rule somewhere that states that the maximum time over which they can backdate for whatever reason, inc claims for faulty eq is - 2yrs.

as it is their fault or more correctly the franchised out meter readers? i dont think you have too much to worry about
i would initially phone them.
then if things get sticky refer over to only written comms & contact the energy watchdog org.

dx100uk

[tnoemis]

It helps if I know what company it is but usually they will use your previous consumption to estimate the account. If they have no accurate readings for them to calculate the amount they will probably just repair the time switch and leave it as that. If they insist on calculating it correctly and have no readings, the only other option would be for them to put in the new time switch and take a reading in 3 months time and then use that to calculate the amount. The furthest they would be able to back date it is 2 years. Set up a direct debit if you haven’t already and have any debt spread over 12 months and ask them for a discount. It's not your fault but it’s not technically their fault either although the meter readers should have picked it up a long time ago as they have access to previous readings.
One other thing is DONT get angry and shout, people will be more likely to help if you’re nice to them (unless it’s grittish bass)

[newton]

Sorry it must be my age - but whats grittish bass?

[tnoemis]

Brittish gas. You see it in one of the powergen adverts where they play chinese whispers and it comes out as grittish bass. Its because the worst energy company doesnt like its name being mentioned by other energy companies lol

[nick49]

was it the supplier that realised and contacted you or was it a meter reader? what has your supplier said about charging?

[newton]

Hi thanks for the information- yes it was the supplier and it is the second time they have c****d up because the first time the meter reader was constantly only reading one half of the meter (the thought peanuts for monkeys springs to mind- but guess its the companies way of saving money on training up staff) but it is a large communal meter.

I just pay the bills and make sure they are of a similar amount and give them readings when they send high estimated bills- its genuinely never been noticed by them or me before

[WORRIER]

So what was the outcome, did this person have to pay the last 2 years back?

[dx100uk]

hopefully not
cause the ruling is now only 1yrs

dx100uk

[newton]

nothing paid yet - they did organise somebody to come out to repair the time switch but unfortunately due to illness I been in and out of hospital recently.

I asked untited utilities for it to rearranged but they informed they will refer it back to the company concerned who would generate another call out -

I duly phoned the company concerned and told them of this and how my ill health meant that i could not wait for a full or half day appointment and could they get back in touch with a more specific time or to phone me when they are ready to attend or to pick me and the keys up from my home address

They have not yet come to fix it and they have not been back in touch

......... and like Diana Ross "im still waiting"