My current gas meter reading is less than the reading I submitted last month 😕

[WellBellShell]

My gas meter reads 37051 and it says last month's reading was 37060.

EDF still accepted it.
What happens now?

Wait until it catches up to submit the next?

Where did lasts months reading come from? Did you make a mistake?

I have no recollection of submitting meter readings last month and normally I take photos of the meters to do this but I can't see any photos on my phone.
Maybe a person came and took them, I'll check with my partner.

Check that it's not estimated. It's not actually a bad estimation for EDF to be fair. Just submit readings next time and it'll get sorted.

It's probably an estimate that was wrong, since you don't remember submitting it. They should put you into credit for what the over charged

I've whatsapped them. One of their 'Energy Specialists' will reply shortly.

I'm with EDF. If you forget to submit a reading they estimate it. They have overestimated me several times and I got a credit when I submitted my real (lower) reading)

Maybe a person came and took them

Blimey, do they still do this? Last time I had a meter reader visit must be over 10 years ago.

Sounds like it's estimated. Happy days then.

They didn't actually ask me to submit my readings in October, if they had I would have done, rather than them guesstimating.
I've setup a reminder now to do it monthly.

Suppliers are legally required to read meters every two years

I’m unsure on the current legislation wording as to whether it is that an actual reading is required every two years or that the supplier is to read every two years.

As others have mentioned, it’s probably that the last reading was an estimate, but depending on the meter and also the accessibility of the meter an actual reading can result in a 9 getting misread as incrementing to the next 10 (36951 misread as 37051)
The ‘rules’ of meter reading is to take the lower value if dial is between two points

The end result is that you are 100 units in credit from the previous month

Suppliers are legally required to read meters every two years

I've lived in my current house for 6 years, and they have never been to read them. I do have so-called smart meters, but I have to send the readings in monthly as they don't work.

It's probably an Estimated reading. I missed mine last month with BG. I can see on my account that last month's was estimated. My reading this month is also less than their estimate for last month. I assume they massively overestimate so they don't lose money. They haven't quibbled my reading for this month.

Suppliers are legally required to read meters every two years

No they aren't. They are legally required to take all reasonable steps to obtain meter readings at least annually. If customers are submitting meter readings regularly, there's no reason why the company would send someone to do additional readings. The requirement to perform physical inspections every 2 years was removed in 2016.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/decision-reforming-suppliers-meter-inspection-obligations

It is only in the last few months or so that EDF have started taking monthly meter readings. Previously they did the 6 month and 12 month review thing.

It'll have been estimated. Our meters are in a stupid place and I refuse to move everything to access them every single month, therefore we have automated apart from every quarter when I take readings (as I can submit solar panel readings at the same time, and we actually get money for those, so it's worth it!)

In these circumstances I'd expect it to be estimated. Should be clear on the bill if it's taken from a customer or estimated reading though.