Npower Ripping us off!

Thanks Guys, The 30000 odd KWH would definately be too high. The property was a 2.5 bedroom terraced house (the smallest bedroom was tiny) and comparing it to the charts above, is quite unlikey. After looking at the bill a little more in depth, it would seem that For the previous year we were £150 in credit, whilst paying the same amount each month. That value was calculated accurately as the meter got changed just before June 2006. So whilst we may have underpayed a little it would be nothing like the value stated. Hopefully Npower will realise this, but im not going to hold my breath.
 
31.3. So yes there taking the pee. 30000kwh in a few months. That would never happen.

No. I trust you on the calculations however its over the whole year, as the two estimates after the first reading count for nothing as they were estimates.

That would be 30,000Kwh over a whole year. Which doesn't sound as mad?

:confused:

Had all of your readings been actual, and not estimate, yes 30,000kwh in a few months would have course be ridiculous. Its as if you have not been billed correctly for a year, if you look at it that way.

However, my dealings in the past with NPower haven't been the greatest. :(
 
"What's the difference between an actual and an estimated read?
We schedules an actual reading every other month; we estimate your gas usage on months we do not read your meter. An actual reading is when an employee views and records the amount of gas used in a billing period. An estimated reading occurs when we "estimate" the amount of gas used in a billing period. Estimated readings are based on the typical amount of gas used by your home, adjusted for current temperature conditions. Estimates are not able to adjust for current events at your home (for example, if you take a 2-week vacation…where no hot water is used, no cooking takes place or, in the winter, less gas is used to heat the home)."

from www.eqt.com
 
Energywatch is the industry watchdog and this is what they deal with a on a day-to-day basis: www.energywatch.org.uk (08459 06 07 08)

The first thing they'll do is give you an escalated complaints numbers for Npower (probably) and if the matter still isn't resolved after "a reasonable time", they can contact Npower on your behalf.

Bottom line is that disputing a reading in circumstances like this comes down to your word against that of the new tenant - and your ex-supplier doesn't want to get caught in the middle, so they just accept one and ignore the other. However, escalating your complaint will increase the likelihood of a number of possibilities, such as the supplier agreeing to review usage (based on current or historical usage) or even amending the account and withdrawing some or all of the charges.

There is an issue here (whether it's you actually getting stuffed or there being a massive mixup with the bills and you did actually use it, I can't say) so you should visit the website I linked to or give them a ring - it's what they're there for.

There's a lot more that could be said, but I'm tired and I've spent half the day looking through mind-numbing documents so my brain hurts just typing this. Just get Energywatch involved and see what they say.
 
Energywatch is the industry watchdog and this is what they deal with a on a day-to-day basis: www.energywatch.org.uk (08459 06 07 08)

thank you so much mate, that website is perfect... Especially the part that says:

"From July 2006 they should no longer seek payment from consumers where they have not billed a customer for two years. From July 2007 this period should reduce to one year. "

I now have an ace if they do decide to charge me the full amount!
 
thank you so much mate, that website is perfect... Especially the part that says:

"From July 2006 they should no longer seek payment from consumers where they have not billed a customer for two years. From July 2007 this period should reduce to one year. "

I now have an ace if they do decide to charge me the full amount!
Don't rely on that quote too much, as it's subject to a number of little provisos which may or may not apply in your circumstances. Basically, it does apply to Npower (as a member of the ERA), but they have to have failed in a number of ways and, most importantly, it needs to be shown that they are at fault for the problem. The new consumer providing a new reading could be construed as an outside influence and therefore not their fault - suppliers have a number of little loopholes they can take advantage of.

Bear in mind that if you have Energywatch investigating a valid dispute, then the supplier should halt all recovery proceedings until the matter is resolved. If Energywatch cannot resolve the matter for you, ask your supplier for a "deadlock letter" - in simple terms, a letter which says "we just cannot agree that there is an issue any more, so you have to pay or we'll send someone around" - at that point you can refer the matter to the Energy Supply Ombudsman. Energywatch can help you with making a referral to them as well. The ESO can investigate and make a binding judgement on the supplier.
 
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