Legal obligation for unused supply

seasickstevie · 9 Mar 2011

I've become responsible for a property which has been unoccupied for some time. The electric meter was removed by the supplier shortly after the last tenant left, a number of years ago.
Now Scottish Power has sent a bill for over £300 for the period that the supply has been disconnected (meter removed).

I appreciate that the supply service is still there, but I'm surprised that there should be a charge for an unused supply which has been disconnected.

Does anyone know if the property owner should be liable for this?

pjcomp · 9 Mar 2011

My feeling is you'll only get a definitive answer from a solicitor, who'll probably charge you £300 for the consultation! I reckon they're trying it on - challenge them, and ask where in their terms and conditions it allows them to charge under these circumstances, and they'll probably go away.

PJ

Paul_C · 9 Mar 2011

What does the bill say it is for? And to whom is it addressed?

westie101 · 9 Mar 2011

Nope, no meter so supply is disconnected so no charge possible, this will be an automated bill sent out because someone in the past did not record the meter removal.

Contact them and tell the the situation

seasickstevie · 9 Mar 2011

They've actually got the name wrong on the bill (similar but wrong).

I've only seen the final demand without any of the details. I think previous bills where all thrown away because it's an empty property with no electric!

Thing is, we're into the bailiff situation at the owner's home address. And of course they don't do talking.

westie101 · 9 Mar 2011

It is possible the bill is an old one and relates to prior to the supply being disconnected, you, or the owner, still need to discuss it with the supplier very urgently.
For the bailiffs proof when it was disconnected would no doubt be useful

Stoday · 11 Mar 2011

You must start a dispute with Scot Elec. That will mean that the baliff can't proceed.

Roo · 12 Mar 2011

When I work with a bailiff I either cut you off or fit a key meter.

As your already cutoff and you don't need a meter then what would I do?

I'm with westie101 and think this is an automated estimated bill.

Phone them up and query it.

joinerjohn · 12 Mar 2011

Roo said:
Phone them up and query it.

Best of luck with that. Once you've navigated the menu, pressed 1,2,* 1,3,1 , ,,, then got back to the main menu, spent 1/2 hour listening to muzak, interspersed with statements saying "Our call operators are busy. You are in a queue and one of our operators will answer your call as soon as possible."

I particularly hate the announcement that says, "Your call is important to us, please hold."
When what they really mean is "We receive 8p per minute whilst you are in this queue. That's why your call is important to us."

Paul_C · 12 Mar 2011

I find that these days it's best to avoid such telephone calls to straighten out problems, unless it cannot be avoided. By the time you've wasted an hour fighting through menus, sitting on hold, and then trying to explain to situation to four different people as each passes you onto somebody else, you might just as well write a letter, mail it, and keep a copy for reference.

seasickstevie · 16 May 2011

I've just discovered

that the meter wasn't removed, but the cutout fuse was removed!

Consequently the meter has been there but with NO electric supply going to it for over six years (the maximum they can back-date a bill apparently).

My argument is still the same, There may be a meter there but it doesn't serve any purpose if the supply is disconnected by the electric company.

The charge is for 'Service Charge' plus dept collection agency fees. Now standing at £490+

How can anyone be expected to pay £490+ for a meter that can't have any electricity going through it?

I've written a letter, but not received a reply yet.

londonboy · 16 May 2011

Is the meter and cut out sealed up?

Chri5 · 16 May 2011

londonboy said:
Is the meter and cut out sealed up?

Like your thinking

If you haven't told them the meter IS there, I'd have been tempted to remove it, since it's dead, as double proof that the service isn't available and hence no charge can be raised.

As for who removed the meter, how would you know it was taken 6 years ago

TPNSpark · 16 May 2011

What are they charging you for? I wonder if it could be some form of standing charge for the supply but the fact that the supply fuse has been removed and the implications of this, has not be registered on their system.

Does the meter readings on the accounts that they have sent correspond to the reading of the actual meter unit?

Wontdothatagain · 16 May 2011

I sounds like this was on a commercial contract with the supplier and they will continue to charge the daily rate (servise charge) even if the meter has been de-energised.

It is common for commercial customers who leave a property before there contract has expired to turn off all power and just pay the servise charge until there contract runs out.

If you PM me the supplier, i will give you a contact number but you have to speak to them soon because when bailiffs get involved it get very complicated and exspensive.

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Legal obligation for unused supply

Paul_C

joinerjohn

Paul_C

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