i switched my electricity supplier and was horrified to get a bill for £1100. i've been on prepay meter since i moved into my rented flat so i wrote to ex-supplier and told them this. they wrote back and said that as i did'nt let them know the meter was'nt working properly i am liable for the bill.
i charged my key up, put it in the meter and got electricity - working fine!
....and how do i get it checked now to make sure i dont get another bill if i change supplier again
2007-03-07 06:47:01 · 10 answers · asked by Jean A 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Speak to your current supplier. They are the ones who have been supplying you with your electricity.
Get a letter stating from which date you switched to them and have been on a pre-paid meter since then. Send that to the ex-suppliers and advise them in the letter that it is now between the two companies to sort out as one of them has been supplying the electricity and one of them has been getting the money for it. If they think they are entitled to that money they should look to seek it from your current supplier.
My boyfriend had exactly the same problem with 2 large scottish electricity companies. Keep going with it......you wont have to pay. Put the onus (if thats how you spell that!) on them to sort out as you have paid. (get the letter that states you have paid etc first)
2007-03-07 06:58:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually I would get advice from the Citizens Advice people about this one as I think you would be entitled to a refund of what you paid. The meter is the property of the electric company and as you are not an electrician or service person you should not be expected to know if it is working properly or not. As long as you kept your prepay key in proper order and were putting money on it. I think you would have a good case even if you changed electric companies. You need to know who was the original owner of the meter. I mean as in London Electric or sweb or one of those.
2007-03-07 14:56:44 · answer #2 · answered by Dr Paul D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thing about your situation is this. Be it an electrical meter or water meter or any other type of mechanical flow meter, if it starts to give improper readings it will be due to friction in the mechanics slowing down the works thereby giving you a lower then normal reading. Therefore all subsequent bills will be lower as a result. The question becomes one of liability. If, in fact, the meter itself was malfunctioning and they "own" the meter then they are liable for the discrepancy. Especially as you lack the technical training necessary to even begin to suspect a problem. If, however, it is a contractual misunderstanding whereby you thought the flat rate gave you unlimited usage and you exceeded your allotment as per the contract, then you are responsible for the overage at the agreed upon rate stipulated in said contract
2007-03-07 15:04:20 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am only guessing about this, but as far as I know the meters in rented flats have nothing to do with the suppliers. The main meter is connected to the property and then the owners connect there own meters to each individual appartment and they can charge what ever they whan't, I am not suggesting that this is happening in your case, but I would consider finding out is this happening to you?
2007-03-07 15:04:09 · answer #4 · answered by woodie2007 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the US the electrical meter is owned by the power supply company. The rates are regulated.
There are two possible reasons for a high electricity usage spike. .
1.There is an electrical leak to ground somewhere in your wiring. Your responsibility. Have you had new work done recently?? Defective appliance?
2.Defective meter. This is the power company's responsibility.
Very unlikely. They will probably want you or your electrician to prove it.
2007-03-07 14:58:41 · answer #5 · answered by jimmiv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The landlord in conjunction with the Electricity supplier
2007-03-07 14:50:21 · answer #6 · answered by MANCHESTER UK 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its up to the supplier to make sure meter is working.
if you notice anything wrong then you should notify them, but you can't do that if you don't realise its not working properly.
They should come out and check it now and refund you the difference you have paid since it broke
2007-03-07 14:51:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The supplier. End of
2007-03-07 14:49:57 · answer #8 · answered by bavwill 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why did you get it changed? Your landlord is responsible for all fixtures and fittings in your flat, get the landlord to have it checked.
2007-03-07 14:54:14 · answer #9 · answered by SIMON M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for free legal consumer advice your best bet is to get in contact with citizens advice
they can give you all the info you need
2007-03-07 14:54:55 · answer #10 · answered by caitlin_the_skeptic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋