⚖️ ENERGY DISPUTES | WE'RE ON YOUR SIDE

Disputing an Energy Bill or Contract?

Energy Dispute Resolution Specialists

Mis-sold a contract? Billed incorrectly? Stuck in a dispute with your supplier? We help UK businesses resolve energy issues — fast, fairly, and with expert support. Let us review your case at no charge.

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Expert Supplier Escalation
No Obligation to Proceed

Why Disputes Happen

Understanding common causes — and how suppliers get it wrong

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Supplier System Errors

Billing systems fail. Meter reads don't upload properly. Accounts get duplicated or mislinked. Suppliers often don't catch these errors until you've been overcharged for months — or they discover it years later and backbill you.

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Estimated Readings Ignored

Suppliers rely on estimates instead of actual meter reads. Sometimes they don't ask for reads, or they ignore ones you've provided. The estimate stays wrong for months, then you get a catch-up bill — or you're billed for energy you never used.

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Change of Tenancy Mishaps

Moving premises? Suppliers often fail to process final and opening readings correctly. You're billed for energy the previous tenant used, or you're left on out-of-contract rates. Communication breaks down and nobody takes responsibility.

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Unclear or Hidden Terms

Contracts have fine print you weren't shown. Auto-renewals trigger without notice. Broker commissions are buried in your rate. Charges appear on bills with no explanation. Suppliers rely on confusion to avoid scrutiny.

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Most disputes aren't your fault. They're supplier negligence, system failures, or deliberate vagueness. The issue is that suppliers have little incentive to fix errors quickly — they profit from confusion. That's why having someone in your corner makes all the difference.

The Pattern We See

Businesses discover disputes by accident — when reviewing bills, checking meter data, or noticing inconsistencies. By then, months or years have passed. Suppliers often deny responsibility or drag out resolution. That's when you need expert help to challenge them fairly and recover what you're owed.

Common Supplier Disputes We Can Help With

From mis-sold contracts to billing errors — we've seen it all

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Incorrect Meter Readings

We help correct opening and closing reads, prevent overbilling, and ensure you're only charged for energy you actually used.

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Mis-Sold Contracts

If you were signed up without full knowledge or consent, we can step in and challenge the contract on your behalf.

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Auto Renewals Without Notice

Locked into a deal without warning? We'll review your options and help you challenge unfair auto-renewal terms.

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Hidden or Excessive Broker Fees

We investigate commissions embedded in your rate and help dispute unfair uplift that was never properly disclosed.

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Out-of-Contract Rates

Charged inflated rates after tenancy change or missed renewal? Let's challenge those excessive out-of-contract charges.

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Supplier Blocking or Ignoring You

Supplier delays, unresponsiveness, or wrongful account holds? We escalate on your behalf and force a resolution.

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Not sure if your issue qualifies? Upload your bill, contract, or give us a quick summary. We'll review your case at no charge and let you know if it's worth pursuing.

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How We Help Resolve Energy Disputes

A straightforward process backed by expertise and impartiality

1

You Share What's Wrong

Upload your bill, contract, or give us a quick summary of your dispute. We'll review everything confidentially and let you know if it's worth pursuing — no charge, no pressure. We keep all communications impartial and professional.

2

We Review the Details

We investigate your concern thoroughly, contact the supplier if needed, and explain your rights under energy regulations. We look at contracts, billing records, meter data, and supplier conduct — everything's kept confidential and impartial.

3

We Advise You on the Best Path

Whether it's securing a refund, getting a correction, or escalating to Ofgem, we guide you step-by-step through your options. We support you through the entire process — you're never left hanging.

Initial Review

We assess your case and contact you within 24 hours to discuss your options.

Supplier Engagement

We contact your supplier on your behalf to gather information and present your case.

Resolution or Escalation

If the supplier cooperates, we work towards resolution. Otherwise, we escalate to Ofgem if appropriate.

Your Rights: Supplier Complaint Process

Understanding the formal process if you need to complain about your supplier

1

Contact Your Supplier First

Raise your complaint directly with your supplier in writing. They must acknowledge it within 5 working days and investigate thoroughly.

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8-Week Resolution Period

Your supplier has 8 weeks to resolve your complaint. If they need longer, they must send you a "deadlock letter" explaining why.

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Energy Ombudsman Escalation

If unresolved after 8 weeks (or you receive a deadlock letter), you can escalate to the Energy Ombudsman for free, independent resolution.

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Energy Ombudsman - Your Rights

The Energy Ombudsman provides free, independent dispute resolution when supplier complaints remain unresolved. They can order refunds, corrections, and compensation.

Phone: 0330 440 1624
Email: enquiry@energyombudsman.org

Important: You can only approach the Energy Ombudsman after your supplier has had 8 weeks to resolve your complaint, or if they've issued a deadlock letter.

How Smart Energy Company Supports You

We help you navigate this process professionally. Whether you're at step 1 with your supplier or ready to escalate to the Energy Ombudsman, we ensure your rights are protected and your case is presented effectively.

Why Choose Smart Energy for Dispute Resolution

Impartial expertise. Direct supplier escalation. Your rights protected.

Completely Impartial & Independent

We're not owned by suppliers or utilities. Our analysis is unbiased — we review your case fairly and only escalate if it's genuinely justified.

Direct Supplier Escalation

We contact suppliers on your behalf, presenting your case professionally and leveraging our industry relationships to force genuine engagement.

Ofgem Expertise & Navigation

We understand energy regulations, Ofgem's formal complaint process, and consumer rights. We guide you step-by-step if escalation becomes necessary.

No-Pressure Support Throughout

We're here to advise, not push. Whether you resolve it directly or escalate formally, we support your decision and guide you through the process.

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"Great communication with Tom. Very helpful and really sorted out a difficult and complicated situation with my energy company. I'd been massively overcharged by EDF with a strange billing system, and Tom managed to deal with all the jargon and letters and turn the situation around. Ended up being in credit for thousands instead of in debt for thousands. Would highly recommend."

Tim, UK Restaurant Owner

We Stand Up for What's Right

With 11+ years in the energy market, we've seen countless disputes and know how suppliers operate. We understand your frustration — and we know how to navigate the system fairly. Our goal isn't to wage war; it's to ensure you're treated justly and get what you're owed. We're on your side, every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about resolving energy disputes

First, gather your documentation — bills, meter readings, contracts, and any correspondence with your supplier. Check the bill carefully for calculation errors, incorrect meter reads, or charges you don't recognise. Contact your supplier and request a detailed breakdown. If they don't respond within 30 days or the explanation doesn't satisfy you, that's when we can step in to investigate and escalate on your behalf.

Absolutely. If you were signed up without your knowledge or consent, that's a mis-sale and you have consumer rights. This might happen if a broker or third party signed you up without proper authorisation. We review your contract terms and circumstances, gather evidence of the mis-sale, and escalate formally with your supplier or to Ofgem if necessary.

Suppliers can use estimated readings, but they must give you a reasonable opportunity to provide actual readings. If you've provided readings and they've been ignored, or if the estimate is significantly wrong, you can dispute it. We help gather your actual readings, challenge the estimate with your supplier, and ensure you're only billed for consumption you can prove.

This often happens due to meter errors, estimated readings, or issues with change of tenancy. First, provide your actual meter readings to your supplier and request an investigation. If they refuse to adjust, or if their investigation is unsatisfactory, contact us. We'll review the meter data, the billing history, and escalate to your supplier or Ofgem to recover any overcharges.

Yes. Backbilling is when a supplier charges you for energy from previous periods that wasn't billed before (or was billed incorrectly). The rules depend on your business size. If you're a microbusiness (under 100,000 kWh electricity or 293,000 kWh gas annually, or fewer than 10 employees with turnover under €2 million), Ofgem's 12-month rule may protect you — suppliers typically can't backbill beyond 12 months if it was their fault. If you're a larger business, you don't have the same 12-month cap, but you can still dispute unfair or unreasonable backbilling. We investigate your specific situation and help you challenge unjust backbills.

If your supplier doesn't resolve your complaint within 8 weeks, or if you're unhappy with their response, you can escalate to Ofgem (the energy regulator). Ofgem will investigate independently and make a binding decision. The process can take several months. We handle all the formalities — gathering evidence, submitting your case, communicating with Ofgem, and representing your interests throughout.

It depends on the complexity and whether the supplier cooperates. Simple disputes (incorrect reads, calculation errors) can be resolved in 2–4 weeks. More complicated cases (mis-sales, backbilling) may take 6–12 weeks if handled directly with the supplier. If you escalate to Ofgem, expect 3–6 months. We keep you informed every step of the way.

No, our initial review is completely free. We analyse your case at no charge and advise whether it's worth pursuing. If you decide to proceed with formal dispute resolution, we discuss any arrangements with you transparently. Our goal is to help you resolve the issue fairly — never to create additional costs for you. We hope our free service helps build your trust in us, so when you're ready to renew your energy contract, you'll request quotes from us to see what we can save you.

No. Raising a dispute does not give your supplier the right to disconnect you or withdraw your supply. However, if you have a genuine debt (not in dispute), they may pursue disconnection. We ensure your dispute is properly documented and any disconnection threats are challenged. Your energy supply should remain unaffected whilst we resolve the issue.

At minimum: your business details, contract details, and copies of disputed bills or correspondence. Ideally, also provide meter readings (actual and estimated), any communication with your supplier, copies of contracts, and an explanation of what you believe is wrong. Don't worry if you don't have everything — we'll guide you through gathering what we need.

Still have questions?

Get in touch with our team and we'll answer anything about your specific dispute and next steps.

Contact Us

Let's Review Your Dispute

Contact our team to discuss your case. We'll listen to what happened, review your situation, and advise on your next steps — all completely free and confidential.

Free initial review
No obligation
Completely confidential
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