|
 The most common complaints energywatch receives from small businesses are connected to bills. Most commonly, this involves either incorrect bills resulting from an administrative error or enormous bills resulting from a long period during which the supplier has failed to bill to the correct amount. There are some simple steps you can take to try and make sure you do not suffer from problems of this kind.
- Make sure you know where your gas and electricity meters are and you can reach them, and take readings both when you take on the premises for the first time and whenever you finally vacate them.
- Make a point of quickly checking every bill when it arrives – notify your supplier immediately if there are any discrepancies. Do not assume that your supplier has the right information about your business – many billing complaints can be avoided if the consumer makes sure all the information on the bill is correct.
- Make sure you are aware of the difference between estimated and actual reads, and any estimates used by the supplier seem reasonable based on your consumption history.
- Make sure any payments you have made have been credited to your account.
- If you pay by direct debit, make sure the amount you are paying is not too much or too little by checking any estimated readings on your bill against the actual meter reading – all too often, if you have been receiving under-estimated bills, you will then receive a very large bill at the end of the year (or longer) that includes any consumption not covered by your direct debit.
- Make sure any meter serial number that appears on your bill matches the serial number on your meter(s).
- If you are providing meter readings to your supplier but they are not being used – query it.
- Keep your own record of any meter readings you take and the date you took them.
Regardless of any billing errors, you are liable to pay for all gas and electricity consumed during your occupancy. Suppliers may legally pursue billing claims for up to six years (five in Scotland). You should make sure you verify and document your own consumption. You cannot rely on not having to pay a bill for your premises just because it is in somebody else’s name.
If you are in financial difficulties and cannot pay your bill you should contact your supplier as soon as possible – the longer you leave it the worse it will become.
Three things to remember about meters and bills:
- Know where your gas and electricity meters are
- Check your bills when they arrive — have they been estimated or has your supplier used an actual meter reading?
- Take your own readings — make a note of them and send them to your supplier
|
Help and advice 
