UK Problem with EDF not recognising 3 phase in commercial unit

Hello all. I leased a 2500 sq ft commercial building about 4 years ago that required substantial upgrades. It was previously divided into three different businesses, each with its own meter. The building was completely renovated, and 10 air conditioning units were installed. Prior to this installation I was signed up with EDF.

The build did not go well, and that builder left around 3/4 of the way through the project, owing me work, but that's a different story. I have since completed the build with a different person.

I have been corresponding with EDF, trying to get them to come out and inspect the meter because the one on the property does not appear to be associated with EDF, as it is not labelled. I believe it was installed by the original builder. I can't ask him because he's returned to Bulgaria and is now ignoring my messages.

It seems to be functioning correctly; of course, I have no way of knowing for sure. I have tried explaining all this to EDF, booked site visits that were then cancelled by them. Nobody I speak to at EDF has any advice; they keep telling me to go back to the electrician of the original builder. There were several issues with the original electrician, including missing light switches, failure to connect smoke alarms, and leaving exposed live wires. However, these have all been addressed except for the 3-phase meter issue.

I tried another supplier to see if they could fit their own, but EDF disputed the account, so I couldn't move.

EDF has been sending estimated bills, which I have been paying, and more recently, they sent one apparently verified by a data collection reader, which is not true, as I would have been thrilled if someone had actually attended the property. The reading they provided makes no sense.

I feel like I am stuck in a horrendous loop where I am not getting anywhere and seem to spend most of my life on hold, or getting cut off by EDF. I am happy to pay my bills, this isn't some payment dodge, I just want it sorted out.

snowhead said:

Keep records of the times / dates of conversations with EDF and copies of any correspondence as well.

I'd guess that the original meters have probably gone missing, if so that's going to be a problem, it's not the value of the meters but the value of the electricity that passed through them.

If the meter that's there now does not belong to EDF then you have been and are using unmetered electricity.
You will need a defence against any possible prosecution that EDF may try to bring against you, currently that is the fact you've tried to get them to visit and sort it out.

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No actually the original meters are still there, neatly stacked on the top of this one. Yes I have called them a bunch of times, opened a complaint etc but even with the complaint nothing seems to be happening.

snowhead said:

Are the 3 original meters still there?
Or were readings taken and the meters removed, by EDF?
Or were they removed by the builder?

Are EDF billing you estimated bills for 1 meter / supply or 3 meters?

Your Bill /Bills should have a meter serial number listed on them.
If one or any match the existing meter then it belongs to EDF

Prior to the alterations did you receive 1 or 3 bills from EDF?

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The original 3 meters are still there, yes. I am being billed for 1 meter, which I agree is odd, but when I spoke to EDF, they said two of them had been decommissioned.

Prior to all this there were 3 bills coming.

plugsandsparks said:

Few questions:
You say you had 3 supplies, i.e. 3 MPANs and 3 meters and received bills for all three prior.
The only authorised mover of meters is the meter provider, i.e. EDF
So how many of the original meters and supplies exist now, and how did a new meter rock up?

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There are 3 of the original meters left on top of this new one, but not connected. My guess is that the previous builders changed them for this new 3 phase meter, but I wasn't on site for most of the work so I don't know when this was done. I only noticed when I came to read the meter as up until then I assumed we had a smart meter.

James said:

Any chance of some pictures?

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Not sure if this is what you meant but this is the meter

mainline said:

Are you sure there isn't another meter somewhere else, as it could have been that at some point the landlord had 3 meters put in for the separate units and since then they have been removed and a single meter put back in.

As already asked, can you take some pictures of the main cutout, meters etc.

It certainly looks like that meter wasn't installed by a supplier, hence my thinking that there maybe a meter elsewhere.

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There 100% isn't another meter here; this was originally the space occupied by the 3 meters, which I then consolidated into one (not a 3-phase). This meter is still on the premises, although it has been removed.

Just in case I have looked everywhere, both inside and outside the property today and can't find anything.

I have attached pictures here, I hope they are sufficient or do I need to step back a little bit?