{"id":7804,"date":"2025-11-28T12:23:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T12:23:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rfblegal.co.uk\/?post_type=insight&#038;p=7804"},"modified":"2025-11-28T12:23:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T12:23:35","slug":"energy-and-utility-disputes-are-you-an-individual-or-business-being-overcharged-by-your-energy-or-utility-provider","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/rfblegal.co.uk\/de\/einblicke\/energy-and-utility-disputes-are-you-an-individual-or-business-being-overcharged-by-your-energy-or-utility-provider\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy and Utility Disputes: Are you an individual or business being overcharged by your energy or utility provider?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Are you an individual or business being overcharged by your energy or utility provider? If so, you may wish to seek advice to better understand your rights and options.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cost of gas and electricity continues to rise and, as a result, there has been an uptick in claims being issued by utility suppliers against both individuals and business consumers, particularly&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;energy bills. The provision of utilities is already a heavily regulated environment which aims to prioritise consumer protection; however, disputes still commonly arise over billing accuracy, tariff application, back-billing&nbsp;and service termination.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article aims to highlight some of the common issues faced by both individuals and business consumers and offers some guidance&nbsp;on how best to navigate an energy and utility dispute&nbsp;whether it be through formal Court proceedings or determination by way of the Ombudsman.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Common Types of Energy and Utility Bill Disputes<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Incorrect or Unexpectedly High Bills<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many disputes arise when a bill suddenly jumps without explanation; understanding the complaints procedure can help resolve these issues. Common reasons may include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>faulty meters (including faulty time switches or meters running too fast)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>catch-up billing\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>changes in tariffs\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>system errors\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Inappropriate Back-Billing<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Back-billing occurs when the supplier&nbsp;seeks&nbsp;to charge for historic usage which was not previously billed. This commonly&nbsp;arises&nbsp;in circumstances where meter readings are not provided to the provider and, as a result, bills are raised&nbsp;on the basis of&nbsp;inaccurate estimated readings \/ usage.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Problems arise when the consumer receives an unexpectedly large bill which covers&nbsp;a long period. However, consumer protection regulations apply to protect customers from being inappropriately charged for energy used more than 12 months ago, so long as the supplier&nbsp;failed to&nbsp;bill correctly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Deemed Rates \/ Out-of-Contract Rates<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Consumers are often enticed into entering fixed-term contracts offering a reduced \/ discounted rate for an initial fixed period, but upon the expiry of the fixed term, consumers are then automatically (and often unknowingly) placed on a higher and more costly \u201cDeemed\u201d or \u201cOut of Contract\u201d rate, leaving them in need of support to navigate these changes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Insufficient Meter Installations<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to ensure that there are sufficient meters installed at the premises, and to coordinate with your network operator to confirm this. Problems of joint and several liability often arise in circumstances where an individual meter services multiple units contained within a single building, where you may find yourself liable for other people\u2019s \/ businesses\u2019 usage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Steps to Take&nbsp;in the Event of&nbsp;a Dispute<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you receive an unexpectedly high bill, or your energy \/ utility supplier has threatened to&nbsp;initiate&nbsp;legal proceedings against you to recover arrears, you should&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;consider speaking with a representative to discuss the situation and:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>a) Contact a specialist solicitor like Ronald Fletcher Baker<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The regulations governing the supply of energy and utilities are complicated and complex, and disputes can be taxing and cause a strain on any individual or business. It is therefore imperative that you seek the\u00a0assistance\u00a0of a solicitor to challenge the amounts claimed by your supplier.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>b) Investigate and collect evidence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Gather as much documentary evidence as possible. This should include:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a copy of your contract with the supplier (often only sent electronically via email)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>any terms and conditions (often published online)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>historic bills raised (so that you can compare the rates and usage)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>any meter readings\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>any other communications exchanged with your supplier\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>c) Dispute the amounts claimed<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you believe that you have been inappropriately overcharged, or if back-billing rules have not been adhered to, you can dispute and challenge the amounts claimed. Your\u00a0initial\u00a0step should be to raise a formal complaint with your energy and utilities supplier. If the complaint cannot be resolved to your satisfaction, you may refer your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>An unexpectedly high bill<\/strong>&#8230;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Utility bills are essential household expenses; however, an unexpectedly high bill can be crippling for any individual or business. If you\u00a0require\u00a0any\u00a0assistance\u00a0in relation to a dispute with your energy or utility supplier, or to challenge an unexpectedly high utility bill, please contact Partner Jonathan Chan at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:J.Chan@rfblegal.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>J.Chan@rfblegal.co.uk<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0\/ <a href=\"tel:0207343426\">0207343426<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0for further advice and\u00a0assistance.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":7805,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[81],"class_list":["post-7804","insight","type-insight","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commercial-litigation","tag-litigation-team-dj"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Energy and Utility Disputes: Are you an individual or business being overcharged by your energy or utility provider? - RFB Legal<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you an individual or business being overcharged by your energy or utility provider? 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