Just discovered electricity meter hasn't been working for nearly 2 years

[Myturnnow4]

I've just realised, not them (despite them paying meter readers to come around!!). I guess they'll issue an estimate for the two years that I'll have to pay.

Do you think I have room to negotiate on the outstanding bill?

[lizzywig]

Google code of practice for accurate bills and the back billing rule. Your supplier is responsible for correctly billing you. If they are at fault then it is my understanding that you are not liable for more than one years worth of billing.

Having recently been through similar I would highly recommend only communicating in writing. We started by doing it on the phone and standard customer services were not able to resolve it and actually compounded the issue, making out several times that it had been resolved when it had not. Make sure you mention that the meter man has been out and not picked up on it and keep a detailed record of everyone you talk/write to with dates, times and names...even if you think it's been resolved.

[Myturnnow4]

Thanks for replying lizzywig.

I am filled with despair at the memories of a long, on-going, paper-trailed battle with NPower over a decade ago that I had wiped from memory.

I hope that you're right about the 1 year.

[Myturnnow4]

That one year thing looks promising. I'll leave this here for anyone doing a search in the future, www.energy-uk.org.uk/publication.html?task=file.download&id=5220

[lizzywig]

I feel your pain. British Gas had inverted our day and night meter readings for over 3 years, a big chunk of that was spent telling them about it and them saying it was fixed, only for us to get yet another incorrect bill. I had a record of everyone I had ever talked to including times and dialogue. In the end it was escalated and once fixed the whole amount was written off. This was only because they made so many mistakes, made false promises and compounded the situation and because I write very good complaints. I did notice some news articles where some people only had partial success with the back billing rule so you may need to grit your teeth. This is why I say you should make the point that their company have checked it and failed to notice any error. Given that a trained person failed to notice it, I would emphasise in any complaint/sorting it out that you couldn't possibly have been expected to notice. I would also suggest that their qualified person probably needs more sufficient training as you expect a better service as a paying customer. Put the onus on them. Just keep a record of everything. Good luck!

[Myturnnow4]

Thank you, these are really good tips.