Spark energy - estimated bills and not telling customers

[Kylieh]

Hiya,

 

 

we moved into our current rented property in October 2015

and were told that Spark energy are the gas and electric suppliers.

Ever since then they have sent us a monthly bill of which we've always paid.

 

This morning we received a bill for 315.64 for electric and gas, 288 of that just electric,

 

 

upon ringing them up we were told it's because all our previous bills were estimated

and we should have been giving monthly meter readings (of which we were NEVER told)

and that we have to pay that plus any future bills (set up a dd for a minimum of 150 a month)

 

 

after telling them no one has ever told us we're supposed to give readings

and that they never come to read the meter like a 'normal' energy supplier

 

 

they've just been worse than useless,

not even took my complaint about them not telling us about the estimated readings etc.

 

Long story short

do we have a leg to stand on?

We're a low income family of 2 adults and 3 children (one being 5, another having suspected adhd)

 

We don't have any disposable income,

we've always budgeted to pay these 'estimated' bills

and they're ramming this bill down our throat.

 

Thanks in advance, kylie

Edited June 6, 2016 by Kylieh

[dx100uk]

you should always give readings atleast once a month

you can do it online.

[azzadle]

Yep, always give meter readings once a month, ideally on the same date so you have a better idea of what you're using/spending. I'm afraid saying 'we didn't know' isn't going to get you anywhere. Try and discuss options with them, they can agree a monthly amount plus a bit more to pay off the arrears.

[Velanova]

Google Spark Energy complaints - there's plenty to read.

Do you have, or are you able to get from the landlord, the meter readings when you first moved in? If so, you can work out how much power/gas you have used up to the current meter reading. I would advise you check this before accepting this company's opinion of what is owed. They are a shambles.

[dx100uk]

cant disagree there

lots on them here

 

 

..

dx

[ericsbrother]

so they have recently read the meter? Get copies of all the old bills for starters and see where the discrepancies lie. As said, the opening meter reading will be vital for your calculations. You havent said how much you have been paying a month so it is not possible to say whether this is right or wrong.