EDF read my meter for years but now says I owe £1,850 in arrears
I rented an apartment for five years and paid monthly bills to the energy supplier EDF, and had regular meter readings done.
I moved in January and was shocked to recently receive a bill for £1851 to cover the period from May 2016 to January 2022, during which time I had made monthly payments by wire transfer to account.
I have tried to speak to many reps via email and sent copies of payment history, but EDF insists I have to because the bills were estimates.
That doesn't make sense. EDF representatives came to the apartment to take meter readings while I lived there and as such I did not keep any records myself.
I have now received an "overdue bill" warning letter and it makes me really anxious.
It is a huge sum, especially when I thought to be up to date.
EC, London
This caused a lot of unnecessary stress but we managed to solve the problem.
< p class="dcr-3jlghf">While you lived in the apartment, the name on the account was "owner/occupier", because EDF did not know who lived in the property, even though payments were pending.When he received an email from the letting agent that you had moved out and that you had lived there from May 2016 to January 2022, a tenancy change was made on their system and an account set up in your name for the entire period.
Essentially, however, payments made to the "owner/occupier" account were not transferred, meaning that a balance was shown as unpaid and reminder letters were sent requesting payment.
EDF states: "We have contacted the customer to let them know that we have transferred payments and we apologize for not updating the account sooner."
There was a balance of £11.41 to pay but EDF cleared this , which, under the circumstances, is the least he can do. You are very relieved.
We welcome letters but cannot respond individually. Email us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters are subject to our terms and conditions
I rented an apartment for five years and paid monthly bills to the energy supplier EDF, and had regular meter readings done.
I moved in January and was shocked to recently receive a bill for £1851 to cover the period from May 2016 to January 2022, during which time I had made monthly payments by wire transfer to account.
I have tried to speak to many reps via email and sent copies of payment history, but EDF insists I have to because the bills were estimates.
That doesn't make sense. EDF representatives came to the apartment to take meter readings while I lived there and as such I did not keep any records myself.
I have now received an "overdue bill" warning letter and it makes me really anxious.
It is a huge sum, especially when I thought to be up to date.
EC, London
This caused a lot of unnecessary stress but we managed to solve the problem.
< p class="dcr-3jlghf">While you lived in the apartment, the name on the account was "owner/occupier", because EDF did not know who lived in the property, even though payments were pending.When he received an email from the letting agent that you had moved out and that you had lived there from May 2016 to January 2022, a tenancy change was made on their system and an account set up in your name for the entire period.
Essentially, however, payments made to the "owner/occupier" account were not transferred, meaning that a balance was shown as unpaid and reminder letters were sent requesting payment.
EDF states: "We have contacted the customer to let them know that we have transferred payments and we apologize for not updating the account sooner."
There was a balance of £11.41 to pay but EDF cleared this , which, under the circumstances, is the least he can do. You are very relieved.
We welcome letters but cannot respond individually. Email us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters are subject to our terms and conditions
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