Temp Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Elderly relative is moving into a nursing home and I'll probably have to sort out her bills for her. Have just noticed that the last digit of her electricity meter number is wrong on the bill. Something like bill says WX06430 when it says WX06436 on the meter itself. What are the chances two flats have been paying each others electric bill for 15 years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 Very possible. if the bills are acceptable I would leave alone. When an elec company did things to my neighbours supply not mine by mistake it took an incredible time to sort out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 7 hours ago, Temp said: ... What are the chances two flats have been paying each others electric bill for 15 years? Ughhhh. Just what is needed to add to the horror. ...... An eye for detail , sometimes a curse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 I a previous buy to let we had, I found between tenants that the peak and off peak readings were reversed on the bill. It took months to sort it out. I had two visits from a meter reader both agreed the readings were transposed and submitted the correct readings, but nothing changed on the bills. It took lots and lots of arguing to get that sorted. It was further complicated as they had to contact previous tenants to correct their past bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_L Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 9 hours ago, Temp said: What are the chances two flats have been paying each others electric bill for 15 years? 1) Locate the flashing neon on the meter, or if possible both meters. (If necessary switch a large load on and off) 2) Switch off any heating by electricity so that the neon only flashes every 10 seconds or so. 3) Switch on a kettle 4) The neon will now flash every 1 to 2 seconds 5) This will identify which meter is measuring the kettle (and flat) power 6) Check a bill with actual (even a self read) not an estimated reading corresponds with the meter you believe to be hers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 The main thing to check is do the readings given on your bills reflect the readings on YOUR meter? It is surprising how many people never read their meter and rely on estimated bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 See if you can read the other meter. If the numbers are similar, then get it sorted. If the numbers are in your favour, get it sorted. Think you know what is coming next, if they are not in your favour, keep quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 (edited) The meter is actually inside her flat so I know exactly which meter is hers. Its just the number on the bill doesn't match whats on the meter. It will take me awhile to work out if her meter readings and bills agree with each other. Very little chance of me finding who has the other meter or even if it exists. Its a block of 20-30 warden controlled flats and most of the other occupiers are pretty elderly. Can just imagine the reaction I'd get knocking on all the doors asking to see their meter with no ID. Don't fancy a cold cell while they check me out. Edited February 7, 2020 by Temp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted February 7, 2020 Author Share Posted February 7, 2020 Have just remembered that her storage heaters appeared to be switched off at the wall two weeks ago. If she hasn't been using those for heating the bills are likely to be wrong and too high. Can't do much for now, as it seems nobody has a Power of Attorney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Davies Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 7 hours ago, Temp said: warden controlled Have a word with the warden? Maybe a relative of another occupant is having similar worries or whatever. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSS Posted February 7, 2020 Share Posted February 7, 2020 My daughter lives alone in a two bed coach house next door (attached) to a 3-bed house occupied by a family of four. The places were new 3 years or so when both she and her neighbours moved in. She has recently noticed that the meter number quoted on her bill is not the one on her meter. Turns out she's been paying the electricity bill for next door and vice versa but is having quite a battle to get the utility co to refund what she's overpaid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted February 8, 2020 Share Posted February 8, 2020 I would point out to the electric co it was them that made the mistake, their job to bill the right people/meter, surely there is an ombudsman fir her to go too with this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted February 8, 2020 Share Posted February 8, 2020 Ask for a smart meter to be fitted, then the shit will hit the fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted February 8, 2020 Share Posted February 8, 2020 We have to deal with meter numbers, MPAN numbers and plot numbers with new developments and conversions and when it goes wrong it takes months, sometimes years, to get sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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