Shock.€975 ESB Bill-Please Help

R

Rainbow08

Registered User
Messages
34
I moved into a house recently and received an ESB bill in previous tenants name. It requested a meter reading as the previous 17 were estimated.As an honest citizen I submitted the reading over the phone. To my shock and distress I received a bill for €975. Previous bill amount was €54. What can I do about this. Thank you
 
This post is a little unclear. The last 17 bills were estimated ?? Did you read the meter yourself ?? The fact that the previous tenants haven't paid is of no relevance to you. How accurate is the bill that you got ?
 
My simple reading of this .... you didn't live in the house so it ain't your responsibility.

have you any proof as to when you moved into the house?

Next port of call .... the landlord .... ultimate responsibility is his/hers .... the day you moved in is the day you pay bills.

What about swearing out a statement in the presence of a Justice of the Peace ..... stating when you moved in ..... send it off/call to the ESB Office etc.
 
I would get all documents stating when you moved into the house and get the ESB on the phone as soon as you can. Explain the situation.
 
mercman said:
This post is a little unclear. The last 17 bills were estimated ?? Did you read the meter yourself ?? The fact that the previous tenants haven't paid is of no relevance to you. How accurate is the bill that you got ?
Click to expand...

Hi Mercan. I read the meter myself. submitted 8312 units where as estimate was 2953. Thanks.
 
Rainbow08 said:
I moved into a house recently and received an ESB bill in previous tenants name. It requested a meter reading as the previous 17 were estimated. ...I received a bill for €975. Previous bill amount was €54.
Click to expand...
I thought it was commonplace that new renters had to contact ESB to have meter/bill put into their name in order to avoid this type of situation? i.e., tenant leaves, phones to give last reading, ESB disconnect power. New tenant phones ESB and power is reconnected. What does your landlord/lady have to say about this? Obviously it is crazy for you to be expected to pay for their previous tenants' fuel bills.

The other thing I wonder about is that the ESB left 17 bills without a meter reading, at a bill every 2 months that is almost 3 years without them seeing the meter. Surely questions need to be asked about this?
 
I've come across this from time to time. Usually where a house/apt are sold - ESB usually accept a solicitor's letter stating closing date and ESB adjust the bill (never completely accurately unless you took a meter reading)

Are you are renting - there's no question you should pay somone else's bill - can you get a letter from the estate agent (if there was one)
Otherwise, have you talked to the landlord?

J
 
How could the last 17 bills be estimated anyway? According to the ESB,
General Purpose customers receive four actual reads a year and two estimates (except for those who are read remotely).
 
Am I missing something here. I don't understand how this bill is your responsibility. Who is it addressed to. As you have only moved in recently and sent ESB a meter reading on your arrival surely only the usage from there on becomes your responsibility.

Were the ESB not negligant if they did not even read their meter in almost 3 years
 
ophelia said:
How could the last 17 bills be estimated anyway? According to the ESB,
General Purpose customers receive four actual reads a year and two estimates (except for those who are read remotely).
Click to expand...

4 actual reads per year - more like one actual read every 4 years where I live - in the wilds of Mount Merrion!
 
Most of my bills are customer's own reading or estimates. Then every couple of years I'm in when the meter reader shows up. At this stage, either I owe them or vice versa. The OP shouldn't worry - once they explain the circumstances. As you move into a rented property, one of the first things that should be done is a reading which can be given to the ESB over the phone.
 
4 actual reads per year - more like one actual read every 4 years where I live - in the wilds of Mount Merrion!
Click to expand...
Never mind us in the outback of N. Kildare.
 
Is the bill in your name? No.

Ring 1850 372 372 with the reading taken on the day that you moved in to start a NEW account. Provide them with your phone number etc. There will be €300 added to your first bill which is a refundable deposit. I understand that if you go direct debit, they will not add the €300 deposit.

All bills that arrive in the name of the previous tenant should be returned (unopened) to the sender.

It might be no harm to keep evidence that you moved in on a specific date in case of dispute (current Lease Agreement and bank statements/bills addressed to you which were sent to you at your previuos address).
 
Now I see it and I did miss a bit. As the bill was not addressed to you, I am surprised that you opened mail which was addressed to another person. Personally I would either pass it to the landlord for a forwarding address or marked it "return to sender". It is the previous tenant who would have a problem with getting a new supply from ESB due to his poor credit rating

Personally I would do a Direct Debit with ESB at the moment until this matter is cleared up

Was that not a final bill for the previous tenant. Yours will come in due course on the due date
 
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