Need a Second Opinion - Issue with Switching Electricity Supply

Empharand on 14/02/2018 - 13:58
Last edited 14/02/2018 - 13:59

Hi all,

Long story short (or as short as possible).

I recently purchased a house in Victoria, I signed up to Momentum Energy for my electricity and gas due to their rates.
When I originally signed up, I indicated that I wanted to commence supply on 31/01/18 (Date of settlement). They connected our gas on the agreed date, however the electricity supply wasn't connected until 07/02/18. I have now received an electricity bill from the previous owners energy company (Simply Energy) which have somewhat more expensive rates compared to my current electricity company.

With some electricity companies (ie. AGL, Energy Australia etc) if your electricity isn't connected on the agreed day you are provided with some form of reimbursement for each day you are required to wait, it doesn't appear Momentum Energy have such an agreement.

I had contacted Momentum Energy, the rep told me to ring Simply Energy and inform them that the electricity will be connected 'retrospectively' with my current supplier and check to see if I'm required to pay Simply Energy. I was informed by the Simply Energy rep that if I receive a bill in the mail then yes I will be required to pay.

Is there anything I can do in this situation?

Thank you in advance.
James.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • dcep on 14/02/2018 - 14:12
    +1

    so, a week worth of usage on higher rates

    by how much effectively ?

    1 dollar more ?

    • poboy on 14/02/2018 - 14:36

      I thought so too - but the 7 day reimbursement guarantee is worth it. It's worth between $30-$50 depending on rates.

  • tomsco on 14/02/2018 - 14:29

    I'm guessing if the bill is addressed to you, they got it from the wholesaler?

    In saying that, you never had a contract with Simply Energy, how can they demand you to pay.

    Don't take this as gospel, as I'm no expert, but, Simply Energy as a retailer simply handle the billing. The wholesaler should be able to bill Simply until your settlement date, and then your new supplier from your settlement date, even though it didn't actually occur at the time. Buy once again, I could be wrong.

    • dcep on 14/02/2018 - 14:36
      +4

      if the bill has ex-owner name , bin it.

      if the bill to 'Occupier' , bin it.

      if the bill has your name , and you didn't sign up with them , tell them to fk off.

      • Empharand on 14/02/2018 - 15:49

        The title of the letter is 'The Occupant'

        From Simply Energy perspective, they supplied my electricity until 07/02/18 which is when my electricity company took over, so I doubt simply disposing of the bill will make them go away, however I put the blame back onto my electric company (Momentum Energy) as they were meant to provide electricity on the agreed day, which would have prevented any of this. I should also mention that I organised my electricity approx 2-3 weeks before settlement so surely that's enough time?

        • dcep on 14/02/2018 - 16:11

          ask your conveyancer , they'll ask you to bin it

        • tomsco on 14/02/2018 - 21:19

          No name, no contract, too late to turn the power off on you. Good luck to Simply.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 14/02/2018 - 15:56
    +1

    I was informed by the Simply Energy rep that if I receive a bill in the mail then yes I will be required to pay.

    The lie of the month from Simply.

    If the bill is not under your name then you just ignore it, they can not force you to pay as you did not have any agreement/contract with them, never provide any details to them, if you start paying them, they will keep sending you bills even after you transfer across to Momentum

  • curlyhart on 14/02/2018 - 22:34

    I agree, don't pay. If they hassle you, you can contact the ombudsmen.

  • Euphemistic on 15/02/2018 - 09:02

    If the electricity 'wasn't connected' until 7th how can simply energy charge you for something they didn't supply?

    Did you use electricity between 31st and 7th? If there was electricity connected between 31st and 7th it is your providers problem about billing for the time you weren't connected to them.

    Bill to 'the occupant' is just trying it on, hoping you will pay it and in doing so effectively sign up to them. Don't pay it, it isn't addressed to you personally.

  • Empharand on 15/02/2018 - 11:25

    We were using the electricity between those dates as we thought the electricity was connected with Momentum Energy as per the agreed date (31/01/18) it wasn't until I received a letter from Simply Energy that I inquired with my electricity company (approx 08/02/18) that I was told it would be connected 'any second now'

    • Ridiculous Panda on 17/02/2018 - 21:32

      How did you receive a bill for period Jan 31st to Feb 7 on Feb 8?

      • Empharand on 19/02/2018 - 19:04

        I checked my records, I received the bill on the 9th (not 8th). The billing period is 31/01/18 - 07/02/18

  • Empharand on 08/03/2018 - 20:40

    I have now received a final demand letter with the threat of listing a payment default against my credit file. Of course they don't have my information so doing that would almost be impossible, however is there a way they can get my information and would they go as far as bad debting me?

    Thank you.

    • tomsco on 08/03/2018 - 23:30

      My understanding is they would be breaking credit reporting laws as they do not have a credit contract with you, but IANAL.

      • Empharand on 11/03/2018 - 10:37

        Hopefully they can't do anything, I'm doubting they will even send anyone to my house as the bill is $38.40

  • Empharand on 11/03/2018 - 10:35

    Does anyone else have a thought on my latest comment?

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