Free energy bill dispute letter template
Challenge an energy supplier over an estimated bill, a sudden catch-up charge or a disputed balance. This letter invokes the back billing rule and asks for the account to be corrected and recovery paused.
Who this letter is for
Dispute an inaccurate energy bill, estimated charges or back billing. It is written in the formal register companies, landlords and card issuers expect, and it records the facts, the remedy sought and the deadline in a way that supports any later escalation to an ombudsman or the courts.
How to use this template
- 1Take a dated photograph of your meter and record the exact reading.
- 2Identify the disputed period and how the bill was calculated.
- 3Download the template and cite the back billing rule if charges are over 12 months old.
- 4Ask for a corrected bill, a refund and a hold on recovery action.
- 5After eight weeks or a deadlock letter, escalate free to the Energy Ombudsman.
What to include before you send it
- Give an accurate meter reading with the date and a photograph of the meter.
- Ask for the bill to be recalculated on actual readings, not estimates.
- You can escalate free to the Energy Ombudsman after 8 weeks or a deadlock letter.
The rights you are relying on
Ofgem back billing rules (no charges for unbilled energy used more than 12 months earlier), supplier licence conditions, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
The letter template
[Your name] [Supply address] [Email address] · [Phone number] Account number: [ACCOUNT NO] [Date] Customer Services [Energy supplier] [Address] Re: Formal dispute of bill dated [DATE] — account [ACCOUNT NO] Dear Sir or Madam, I dispute the bill dated [DATE] for [AMOUNT] on the above account. The grounds of my dispute are: [Choose and complete: - The bill is based on estimated readings. My actual meter reading on [DATE] was [READING], and a photograph is enclosed; - The bill seeks payment for energy used more than 12 months ago that was not previously billed. Under Ofgem's back billing rules that amount is not recoverable; - Payments of [AMOUNT] made on [DATES] have not been credited to the account; - The tariff applied is not the tariff I agreed on [DATE]; the correct unit rate is [RATE].] I ask you to recalculate the account on accurate readings and the correct tariff, issue a corrected bill, and refund any overpayment of [AMOUNT] within 14 days. While this dispute is open, please place recovery, debt collection and any prepayment meter installation on hold, as your licence conditions require. If the matter is not resolved within eight weeks, or you issue a deadlock letter, I will refer it to the Energy Ombudsman. Yours faithfully, [Your name] Enclosures: meter photograph, bills, payment records.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the energy back billing rule?
- Suppliers cannot bill domestic customers for unbilled energy used more than 12 months earlier where the failure to bill was the supplier's fault.
- Can they still chase me while I dispute the bill?
- A supplier should not pursue recovery or force a prepayment meter for a genuinely disputed amount while the dispute is being investigated.
Turn this example into your own formal letter
The £0.59 option creates one formal letter using your names, dates, sums and evidence. The £3.99 Case File also includes an email, evidence checklist, action plan and follow-up notice.
Or read more about our personalised billing dispute letter.
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