EON and Daft bill

[tangotonyb]

I own a property which is fully managed. It's let to students and normally each year empty in August.

A couple of months back, I started receiving phone calls/texts from EON - I ignored them at first as I don't use EON for my power and assumed it was just marketing, but then I got a text that said I owed money. I checked the link in the text and it just showed me a payment page for a bill of nearly £90.

Some investigations later, I was able to obtain a bill, addressed to me, for the property in question (which I haven't lived at for nearly 20 years) for a single day's usage (29 aug to 30 aug) and 2 estimated readings. Quite how they estimated I used 266 kwH in a single day is beyond me. This with a "balance from last bill" amounted to nearly £90.


I contacted the agency to see what on earth is going on - I found out that they send change of tenancy details to EON, and meter readings from end of previous tenancy (31st July) to beginning of new one (1st Sep). I trust them in this as it is a very well known company and they have always acted extremely professionally in the time I've used them.

I've contacted EON and given them the address/phone number of the agency to get the full details if they need them again. I've informed them of the facts - that I've not lived there for over 20 years, however, they're refusing to communicate with the agency.

The whole thing is quite ridiculous.

I've threatened EON with the Ombudsman if they don't quit being stupid. Otherwise I'm avoiding communicating with them, as I don't want any tacit acceptance of responsibility here.


Thoughts anyone?

[tangotonyb]

Bill here

[theartfullodger]

Do you have copies of ALL communication (in writing) by agent, on your behalf, regarding occupants, tenants, dates & meter readings covering the period concerned? Without seeing them (oneself) and checking there ain;t much point in doing anything - hopefully you've got the evidence.

[RedHitman]

YOU’RE the landlord. YOU’RE the owner and the one legally responsible for that property; not the agency. If they’re not doing their job then time to look for another one.

If you can prove everything then nothing to worry about.
Ignoring things never makes them go away.

[jpkeates]

I'd say you are liable for any standing charge between the dates of your tenancies and any usage during the same period.
Utility contracts are unusual in that they are created by the use of the utility, not by signing up to anything.

First thing to do is to ensure that the agency are actually providing meter readings - because the bill you have received contains only estimated readings (which wouldn't be appropriate when there's no one in the property).
Next thing is to contact Eon and explain that they're using estimated readings which aren't correct and give them the correct readings.
You should also ensure that the tariff is changed to one with no standing charge when the property is empty (otherwise you are always going to get a bill).

I suspect that you actually owe for the standing charges and that Eon will show that the readings are consistent with the start and end readings given to them by the leaving and new tenants (who would have every incentive to adjust the readings, the exiting tenants downward and the new tenants upward).

Definitely don't ignore the issue.
You are in debt to Eon because you've received an invoice (whether or not you agree with it), and it's a suable debt.

[Mrs Mug]

You could also owe for any early exit fees for the energy tariff that was being used.

[mariner]

Suggests Agent misread meters at move out inspection.
What date was move out inspection for first T and move in insp for next T?

[tangotonyb]

If the agent had misread the meter readings, then I'd get an actual meter reading in the bill, rather than two estimates. If for example the final meter reading had been an actual, then I'd suspect that the new tenants had countered the agencies reading with one of their own significantly higher.

As things stand, I'm guessing that EON are simply trying it on - presumably the previous tenants owe them money, and they figure I'll be easier to extract it from.

I have asked the agency to provide EON (again) copying me in, full details of tenancy periods and meter readings.

The daft thing is that EON were given this info, and the situation is exactly as it has been for the previous 10 years. Every year, they send a bill for August to the agency who settle it.

Provided EON ARE given all the required info, I am only liable for August am I not - not any outstanding amounts. Note, the meter readings are taken by a separate company who inspect the property after and before each tenancy. There will be date stamped photographic evidence.

[tangotonyb]

Further complicated by the following two communications from EON

"We advised in our previous email that we were given your details as the person responsible for the property from 1st August 2017, and that if this is not the case you can ask the property manager to get in touch with us to amend the name and mailing address on the account."

"Thanks for getting back to us. We won't be able to speak to the property manager about your complaint, so please give us a call on 0345 301 4905 as we'll need to talk to you about the issues with the bills."

[tatemono]

Suggests Agent misread meters at move out inspection.

which is why I insist that our agents get photos of meters on check in and out. That way, I know they've been done and are right. Tenant also has access to these from LA.

[tangotonyb]

which is why I insist that our agents get photos of meters on check in and out. That way, I know they've been done and are right. Tenant also has access to these from LA.

As I said, the check-in, check-out reports are supported by video/photo evidence, so the readings will be provable.
This is moot anyway - the bill received is based on estimated readings which suggests a complete ballsup by EON.

[theartfullodger]

Great, wonderful:. But do you EVIDENCE that you, through your agent, informed EON of these data, please?

[jpkeates]

As things stand, I'm guessing that EON are simply trying it on - presumably the previous tenants owe them money, and they figure I'll be easier to extract it from.

While I don't have a lot of time for utility companies, that would be a fraud, and I don't think they'd go that far...

You can't just reassign or double chase a debt.