SSE demands for back dated Gas bill over 5yrs - they have not ever read the meter

[Driver one]

Dear All

 

We have recently been hit with a back dated demand for Gas of £9500!!!!!!!!

 

As you can imagine we were absolutely go smacked.

 

It all started when we transferred our energy supplier five years ago.

 

Every time we transfer our electric transfers but not our gas.

 

We constantly tried to resolve this with SSE, to no avail, by constant telephone calls but it was never sorted.

 

18 months passed and

 

they suddenly picked up the supply.

 

We were quite happy with this, as their rates were good, and moved our electric supply to them as well.

 

We sent a meter reading, set up a direct debit and everything seemed to be ok.

 

However a month ago we received a back dated bill for five years of £9500.

 

I noticed that the meter start was on 1034 and their last reading was 34000!!

 

We disputed this and they reduced the back bill to £1600 and stated that their estimate had been to high.

 

It also appears that they have not read the meter for five years!!!!

 

They are currently estimating that we will use £2300 of gas per year.

 

What I have done is taken and average over the last month, after this started, and I estimate we will use £1200 per year.

 

My question is this.

 

We can demonstrate our usage and have sent meter readings ourselves in the past, although not every time I will admit.

 

really using the twelve month back billing rule we must be up to date if not in credit, can they make this stick?

 

After sending a greatly reduced bill they are now putting pressure on by saying we must contact them immediately to agree!

 

Surely this can be correct practice?

 

Can anyone help?

[rebel11]

Hi Driver One

 

You should use the Back Billing Code, they should read the meter at least every 2 years as a minimum,

they can only bill you for a year, if it's their mistake.

 

You need to send them a SAR request, send £10, they will send you all the details on your account. They have 40 days.

 

Don't let them work out anything for you.

 

Back Billing for Domestic Customers - Energy UK

 

Also try not to worry.

 

Write a Formal Letter of Complaint mark it as such. Explain what's happened(sent an estimated bill for £9,500, never resolved the matter initially), how they have let you down (£2,300 estimate seems too high) and what you want them to do.

 

Send it to:-

 

Mr Alistair Phillips-Davies

Chief Executive

SSE

Alistair.Phillips-Davies@sse.com

[Driver one]

Thanks Rebel11

 

As we've been paying by direct debit for the last five years surely we've paid for the last twelve months!

[rebel11]

That's why I would send a SAR request, find out what you've been charged for and payments made. If they are putting pressure on you, ask them for all the information for the last 6 years and tell them you consider the Account in Dispute, until you get an opportunity to look through your previous bills. Send it to them in writing.

 

Thanks Rebel11

 

As we've been paying by direct debit for the last five years surely we've paid for the last twelve months!

[dx100uk]

if its their mistake

 

as said they can go back passed 12nts.

 

dx

[rebel11]

Should read cannot go back pass 12 months.

 

if its their mistake

 

as said they can go back passed 12nts.

 

dx

[dx100uk]

doh sri

 

dx

[nottslad]

Clear cut that the billing code applies here - they should have a due dilligence process to query any reads they receive that do not fall in line with their reads or estimates. By not investigating or using your reads to bill the account they have acted negligently and must apply the billing code