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Original poster

Electric bill problem, I think I owe £15k :o

407 replies

electricbills · 05/04/2022 10:56

This is not a begging thread before anyone piles on. But I am in a flap over discovering the above.

I've had some health issues, plus building works at home which combined together meant I've not been able to read my meter for a few years as it's in an awkward spot. I can't remember the last time either I gave a reading or anyone came out.

I can now access the meter and with all the stuff about electric prices rising I thought I should start with a clean slate. I couldn't access any of the previous readings online but submitted my figure of 31460.

I've since had a bill (obviously generated before my reading) and according to this my last estimate was 52440. I can't access any bills or readings online further back than 12 months and I don't get paper bills haven't for years.

So by my rough calculations based on kwh of I think 21p, I owe about 15k. My usual bills are about £300-400 per quarter. I feel sick.

I can just about pay it if I completely empty my savings and sell some stuff. But it's such a huge amount of money. I couldn't pay it in one go.

What do I do now?

OP posts:
SoManyTshirts · 05/04/2022 10:59

If your last estimate was higher than the actual reading now, they owe you money. Apologies if I’ve misunderstood.

Somethingsnappy · 05/04/2022 10:59

I don't know much about these things, but phone the company, explain the situation, and request to go on an affordable payment plan?

amicissimma · 05/04/2022 10:59

Why do you owe money if your actual reading (31460) is 20980 lower than the estimated one (52440)?

100problems · 05/04/2022 11:00

I don't quite understand, are you saying that you haven't paid a bill at all for several years?

Whatwillbewilbe · 05/04/2022 11:00

Contact them and ask if they will accept a payment plan.

pyjamarama · 05/04/2022 11:00

If your last bill was based on an estimate of 52440, but your actual reading is 31460, then the electricity company owe you money?

Chemenger · 05/04/2022 11:01

Have I got this right:

Your actual reading from the meter is 31460

Your last bill is based on an estimated reading of 52440

If that’s right then you have paid for more electricity than you’ve used and they owe you money. In my experience they always overestimate for direct debits so you end up in credit.

Original poster
electricbills · 05/04/2022 11:01

The way I've worked it out is either it's under by about 4k or over by 15k (so if I've gone round the loop as it were) and I assumed it being over was more likely, I didn't think they'd give me any money back.

OP posts:
100problems · 05/04/2022 11:01

And agree, the bill has overstated the actual figure. If you have paid it's likely you're in the black.

Lazylady76 · 05/04/2022 11:01

First don't panic, call them and find out what if any you owe, things are all over the place for so many people. Then if you owe that amount ask for a payment plan and go from their.

flower277 · 05/04/2022 11:02

There’s surely no way you could owe that much if you have been paying £400 a quarter?!

Whatwillbewilbe · 05/04/2022 11:02

oh I’ve just realised they owe you money- your actual reading is lower than their estimate.

Woeismethischristmas · 05/04/2022 11:03

Have you got your figures wrong? Your reading is way under the last estimate so they’d owe you money? Even if you do owe them money they should of been reading the meter over the many years it’d take to generate that kind of debt. Speak to them sometimes they can write off a proportion at least they will offer you a repayment plan.

Original poster
electricbills · 05/04/2022 11:03

I've paid estimated bills for ages, I can't remember how long - the ones over the last year were all £300-400 per month, I can't go back any further than that online.

OP posts:
HollyGoLoudly1 · 05/04/2022 11:03

@amicissimma

Why do you owe money if your actual reading (31460) is 20980 lower than the estimated one (52440)?
This. If your actual reading is lower than the estimate, then THEY owe YOU money!
PurpleFlower1983 · 05/04/2022 11:03

How big is your property? Is it just electricity alone? I would guess that paying £300-400 a quarter that you have overpaid and they owe you money.

CandyLeBonBon · 05/04/2022 11:04

£300-400 per month or by quarter op? You've written both!

WhyCantPeopleBeNice · 05/04/2022 11:06

We had an issue where I hadn't read the meter readings, and the electric provider hadn't either. I forget the timings but there is a limit on how far back they can charge you, so if it really has gone all the way around, some blame lies with them.
Do not panic
We ended up having a £5k bill reduced to £2k, which I've been paying off at £30 a month interest free.

GalesThisMorning · 05/04/2022 11:07

My energy company has recently told me that, despite me paying the DD amount THEY set, and sending in readings, they 'forgot' to charge me for electricity (yes, actually!!). So the comfortable pot of credit I thought I had built up is gone.

Anyway, it transpires that they are only legally allowed to chase you for money owing for the previous 12 months. Beyond that it has to be written off. So unless you weren't paying anything at all, and were growing cannabis on a massive scale, it's unlikely you owe £15 K

Original poster
electricbills · 05/04/2022 11:07

Sorry I meant per quarter, I'm an idiot. This has got me all in a spin.

£300-400 per quarter over the last year that I can see.
I can't remember what I paid before that but I'm sure it was about the same amount. I tend to think in my mind it's about £100 per month.

OP posts:
Silverclocks · 05/04/2022 11:07

Based on that reading and the fact that you've been paying c. £400 pm, I'd say they owe you and if it's been a few years £4000 could be right.

I have a 4 bed house with 2 teens and it's only recently that our combined bills have gone over £120 pm, so unless you have a huge house and/or massive usage you must have been over paying.

BarbaraofSeville · 05/04/2022 11:07

Sorry, questions as your post is unclear (to me anyway)

I couldn't access any of the previous readings online but submitted my figure of 31460

When was this for? Now, or some time in the past? Is this reading actual or estimated?

according to this my last estimate was 52440 Again, is this a real reading, or an estimate and for when? Do you think you need to pay for 52440 units, the difference between 52440 and 31460 or something else?

What time period does all this refer to and what payments have you made in that time? Can you prove this - estimated bills, bank statements etc?

Has your supplier tried to read the meter? How awkward is the meter location? Is it just that you're unable to see it, or could someone more active, better eyesight etc see it?

There are back billing rules that mean that if the supplier hasn't made reasonable attempts to bill you, they can't make you pay for more than a year's bill, plus ways of making a reasonable estimate based on property size, occupancy, type of heating etc.

Have you had gas too, and have you paid for any gas, or is the property all electric.

Slow down and don't panic. It's very unlikely that you will be required to pay the £15k, especially if your supplier has been neglible.

edwinbear · 05/04/2022 11:08

If you're paying £300-£400 pm, unless you live in a castle, I reckon you could have quite a nice windfall coming your way OP Smile

Original poster
electricbills · 05/04/2022 11:08

Definitely no cannabis farm! It's a 4 bed semi. Heating is gas, but electric cooker.

OP posts:
redbigbananafeet · 05/04/2022 11:13

Can you not just call them?

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