Sending this letter may mean you don't have to pay energy bill

Sending this letter may mean you don't have to pay energy bill UK households may be protected from paying backdated energy charges under Ofgem rules Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Kate Lally 09:43, Tue, Nov 3, 2026 Updated: 10:24, Tue, Nov 3, 2026 Ofgem and Citizens Advice have explained all (Image: seksan Mongkhonkhamsao via Getty Images) A number of households across the UK could avoid certain energy charges by sending a straightforward letter.

Ofgem has clarified that there are "rules in place to protect you" as it reminded energy bill payers about guidance it has published, in a post on social media. The key factor is when the energy was consumed. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT If you haven't been sent an energy bill in over a year, your supplier must adhere to particular rules concerning how far back they can invoice you. Your energy supplier might try to charge you for energy consumed previously, and this is referred to as 'back billing'.

Nevertheless, if you haven't been issued an accurate gas or electricity bill for more than 12 months, you may not be responsible for the complete amount of energy consumed during that time. Get personal finance news, money saving tips and advice plus selcted offers and competitions I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . According to back billing rules, your supplier cannot typically issue a bill for energy used more than 12 months previously. It's important to recognise that these rules don't apply if the supplier did issue you a bill within that 12-month window and you didn't settle it.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT ❓ Have you been sent a back bill by your energy supplier?💷 Back bills are sent to you by your gas or electricity company when you've not been accurately charged📖There are rules in place to protect you so find out more in our guide ⬇️https://t.co/kVio1VjotZ#EnergyAware https://t.co/mt5L6K8f9d — Ofgem (@ofgem) November 3, 2026 In those situations, the supplier maintains the right to recover the charge.

Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT If your supplier attempts to invoice you for more than they're permitted to, Citizens Advice has a template letter ready to help you in composing a formal complaint. "If your supplier tries to charge you for more than 12 months' energy use, you should write to them. Tell them that you're protected by the back billing rules and should only be charged for 1 year's energy use", Citizens Advice said. For example, if you have not received an electricity bill for two years and you request one from your supplier, you are under no legal obligation to pay the full two years' worth of charges upon its arrival.

Citizens Advice recommends putting it in writing to your supplier to make it clear that you are aware of the back billing rules, and that you should only be required to settle the previous year's energy costs. Trending Your supplier should then issue an amended bill covering just one year's usage. However, if you have behaved unreasonably, your supplier may have the right to charge you for the full amount. Unreasonable behaviour includes, but is not limited to, not allowing the supplier access to read your meters without a good reason, and/or stealing electricity or gas.

Should you receive a bill that you are unable to pay in full, you can request to settle it in instalments through a payment plan. You will pay fixed amounts over an agreed period, keeping the sum manageable. The payment plan will cover the outstanding balance as well as a contribution towards your ongoing energy usage. Energy bills Ofgem Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments