Electric Company Billing Me For Their Fault
Discussion
Short story:
Rented a flat between 2006 & 2012. Landlady informed me that the electric meter was faulty (not recording usage) and the electricity company had looked at it and decided it was not their equipment. I set up a basic payment (as advised by the landlady) and got on with things.
The landlady repeatedly called out the company and everytime an engineer came out, he looked at the box, decided it was not theirs and went away. I continued paying an arbitrary sum to the comapny.
Cut to today when my mate who took the flat on after me informs me that a new meter was finally fitted and the company have sent me a bill for £7500 arrears!
What the hell do I/can I do? I can't pay that kind of bill (maybe £50 a month), how have they come to that figure - I worked away so only actually used the flat at the weekend so minimal elec useage.
Part of me is tempted to get my mate to just send the letter back with "Not at this address" but I know that will only delay the problem.
Rented a flat between 2006 & 2012. Landlady informed me that the electric meter was faulty (not recording usage) and the electricity company had looked at it and decided it was not their equipment. I set up a basic payment (as advised by the landlady) and got on with things.
The landlady repeatedly called out the company and everytime an engineer came out, he looked at the box, decided it was not theirs and went away. I continued paying an arbitrary sum to the comapny.
Cut to today when my mate who took the flat on after me informs me that a new meter was finally fitted and the company have sent me a bill for £7500 arrears!
What the hell do I/can I do? I can't pay that kind of bill (maybe £50 a month), how have they come to that figure - I worked away so only actually used the flat at the weekend so minimal elec useage.
Part of me is tempted to get my mate to just send the letter back with "Not at this address" but I know that will only delay the problem.
Okay, the flat was the upper of two located on the first & second floors above a 3 storey shop. There was an outside elec cupboard with various meters including my dead one.
I was told by the landlady who the supplier was (I can't name the supplier now as I can't remember who it was, maybe Npower, until I go round to pick the letter up tonight) and that the meter had stopped recording over a year previous and she was continuing to try and sort it. I paid £40 per month to said supplier and would get an e-bill for a flat charge (I think, it's been too long and I've a crap memory for these things. Also it's been over 3 years since I moved so I've not kept anything from that place).
The supplier were called out many times (also came out regularly to read the meter) and all would apparently look in the cupboard and say it wasn't their meter or some such. I was 150 miles away when they came out, it was the landlady dealing with it.
I'm going round tonight so I'll have more info on what the letter actually says and speak to the landlady who hopefully will be able to provide details of the times the supplier came out and their responses. They've also billed my mate for about £800 I think.
I was told by the landlady who the supplier was (I can't name the supplier now as I can't remember who it was, maybe Npower, until I go round to pick the letter up tonight) and that the meter had stopped recording over a year previous and she was continuing to try and sort it. I paid £40 per month to said supplier and would get an e-bill for a flat charge (I think, it's been too long and I've a crap memory for these things. Also it's been over 3 years since I moved so I've not kept anything from that place).
The supplier were called out many times (also came out regularly to read the meter) and all would apparently look in the cupboard and say it wasn't their meter or some such. I was 150 miles away when they came out, it was the landlady dealing with it.
I'm going round tonight so I'll have more info on what the letter actually says and speak to the landlady who hopefully will be able to provide details of the times the supplier came out and their responses. They've also billed my mate for about £800 I think.
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