High estimated bills but the property is empty?

Hi @mark2410, 

I’m glad to hear that you reached an amicable resolution. I appreciate you taking the time to update us 😊 

Hi.

I was just checking back my usage and noticed a huge electricity surge when I was asleep and nothing being used to cause it. It was charted just before and around midnight as we entered into April 1st. Seems odd! Anyone else had this? Thanks.

It’s worth double checking on your readings as it might have been an estimate. These can sometimes appear with or without a smart meter. 

Can you say what was reported as being used compared with what you would normally use during that time? Be aware that the graph is not necessarily accurate and it is the reported data values which is important. Thanks

It was just a huge spike, off the scale, probably within an hour time-frame. Normally, nothing or very little shows at that time as nothing is on. I'll check back again though. Thanks.

In addition to Peter’s remark about the graphs, I’d mention that there is a fault in both the day usage bar charts and data tables during summertime. I’ll be writing about this elsewhere, but in brief: the first hour’s data, labelled 12:00am and 12:30am, are misplaced. The Usage quantities actually belong at the other end of the day. The ones that should be there are in fact shown at the end of the previous day.

If this is what you’re seeing, then the spike showing at midnight 31/03-01/04 could well actually be from midnight 01/04-02/04, e.g. if the immersion heater were switched on at bedtime. I something like this a possibility?

No. I am fast asleep. Boiler comes on when I wake. Nothing would be being used or running at that time.

Hi @Technophobe 

Have you been able to check out the meter readings section to see if it was an estimated spike, or was it based on actual meter readings?

It’ll be helpful to know if the spike was based on actual readings or not.

We’ve also got some really helpful topics on similar issues that may be of use to you:

Took on the tenancy of a council flat recently.

there is a substantial outstanding balance from previous tennant. (Also ovo). I’m still trying to sign up and submit meter readings from when I moved in.

tried twice online, estimated 55 a month for a small one bed flat, confirmed everything and even put in bank details for direct debit and when the supply starts, then that’s it, radio silence since.

I phoned customer service and they tried to sign me up and are now quoting 400 a month for electric, presumably because of the previous tenants estimated bills, I’m out all day and would be lucky if I spent 100 a month so to quote this and try set up a direct debit for 400 is ludicrous.

its surely not right that I am being estimated off the previous Tennents estimations since they probably never submitted a reading.

dont really know where to go from here, any advice anyone?

thanks

Hey @Kmann, 

I spoke to one of the teams dealing with the change of tenancy, and they advised me of this. The supply direct debit will be based on the previous 12 months' usage, so if there are any issues with what happened during the last tenancy regarding estimated billing, they have ways to work around this. They can set a manual direct debit amount at sign-up, and because this would conflict with the direct debit values based on what it is estimating, they can process an exemption form, which would stop the direct debit from reviewing for 3 months. During this time, they would ask that you submit your monthly readings if you don't have a smart meter, as this would allow the system to access the new usage it's seeing. 

This can only be done over the phone, so if you call them and explain the above, they will know what you're looking at. They are closed today for the bank holiday but will be available tomorrow on 0330 303 5063 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm)

Let us know how things go and if we can offer any other advice.