I’m being charged hundreds for solar panels on my council house that I didn’t want – I was already struggling with bills
A MUM-OF-TWO told how she is being charged hundreds of pounds for solar panels - which she claims she didn't want in the first place.
Shazmeen Khan, 37 - who already struggles to pay her £60-a-month-energy bill - has accrued a £329.48 charge for the eco-friendly installation.
The mum objected to the panels being put up, but was told they were mandatory as part of a council scheme in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
Shazmeen is now desperate for the panels to be taken down because her bills "don't make sense" .
The panels were installed as part of a joint scheme between Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Community Energy Scheme UK Limited (CES).
Shazmeen told : "I am living off benefits with two kids myself, I am barely surviving.
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"I have been so upset and depressed.
"I am in arrears already because the prices have gone up and that’s how much I can afford to pay.
“They are sending me bills every time. It doesn’t even make sense."
The firm are now taking legal action to force her to pay.
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She added: "I am very frustrated and angry. They say they will take me to court if I don’t make the payment.
"I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’ve been deceived and ripped off.
"I am so stressed. I feel like I need help and nobody is helping me. I am in a mess that I’ve been put in by somebody else, I’ve been dragged into it."
A CES spokesperson insisted all customers know what they are signing up for - and said up-to-date meter readings are the best way to make sure costs are accurate.
The statement read: "We have been very flexible in our approach to customer payments and have recently set up a bespoke Stoke-on-Trent-based team to support those customers who have not been paying their bills.
"Options available to customers who engage with our team and provide an accurate metre reading could, for example, include 24-month payment plans or an export to the traditional energy grid for new energy use."
"However, when customers do not engage with our efforts to work with them, we must take appropriate enforcement action to settle their debts.
"We continue to encourage all tenants to get in touch if they have any questions or concerns so that we can support them."
A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesperson said: "The City Council are aware of the complaint from Ms Khan and have been working with her to get the issue resolved.
"We offered support to Ms Khan with arranging an engineer visit to resolve the billing dispute and also referred her to the Council’s own Income Advice Team for help around income maximisation."
The Government is trying to help people with rising energy bills as part of wider package on tackling the cost of the living crisis.
From October, all domestic energy customers will get a £200 rebate on their gas and electricity bill.
But it will need to be paid back from April next year with an extra £40 per year added to bills for five years.
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Low-income households and those on benefits can also access energy bill support.
This includes the Winter Fuel Payment, which gives people over 65 between £100 and £300 towards the cost of keeping their homes warm during the colder months.