Making
a complaint

We know it can be frustrating and disappointing if our service isn’t as good as it should be. If you’re unhappy with our service, we want to be able to put it right quickly and smoothly.


How you can complain

Send us a contact form

Chat to us live online

By post: Metropolitan, Driscoll 2, Ellen Street, 
Cardiff, CF10 4BP.

We are not active on social media. Therefore we cannot accept complaints via social media.

We’re here to help

We aim to resolve all complaints within 10 working days.

If English isn’t your first language, we’ll find ways to help us communicate better. This may mean it takes a little longer to resolve your questions.

Our Complaints Process

We’re sorry if you’re unhappy with our service. Here’s what will happen next:

  • Let us know about your complaint as soon as possible.
  • We aim to respond to you in 10 working days in the most appropriate way.
  • If we need more time to investigate, we’ll keep you updated and try to reduce any immediate impact on you.
  • If we can’t resolve things straight away, we’ll escalate your complaint internally.
  • You can ask for a manager to review your complaint at any time.
  • If we’re unable to resolve your complaint, we’ll explain our final position. You may receive a “deadlock letter” (or you can request one), confirming we can’t take things further.

If steps one and two have been followed and you’re still unhappy, you can take your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman if:

  • You’ve received a deadlock letter, or
  • 8 weeks have passed since you first made your complaint

The Energy Ombudsman offers a free and independent review, but only after our complaints process has been completed.

The Energy Ombudsman

If you’re not satisfied with how we’ve dealt with your complaint, you can contact the Energy Ombudsman, a free and independent agency that can help.

Telephone: 0330 440 1624

Website: www.energyombudsman.org

Email: [email protected]

In writing: Energy Ombudsman, P.O. Box 966, Warrington, WA4 9DF

Our responsibilities

If you’re unhappy with our service, we promise:

  • We’ll get back to you within 10 working days
  • We’ll pause any actions recover an outstanding balance, if your complaint is about our billing
  • We’ll use any feedback to try and improve our service
  • We’ll thoroughly investigate your complaint to determine what’s happened
  • We’ll identify what the problem is and what caused it
  • We’ll find out how we can resolve the problem
  • We’ll determine if there’s anything we can do to stop the problem from happening again
  • We’ll inform you if any Guaranteed Standards of Service or compensation payment is due
  • We’ll say sorry if we made a mistake and explain what went wrong
  • If your complaint was caused by a company policy, we’ll explain it to you
  • We’ll tell you how to escalate your concerns if you’re unhappy with our response to your complaint

Is there something else
we can help with?

Moving in or
moving out

Moving in

It’s great to welcome you to our low-carbon heat network community.

We’ll need to know

  • The date you moved in
  • The meter readings from when you moved in (if possible)
  • Your full name, date of birth, contact details and full address
  • Your Direct Debit details (or details of how else you would like to pay)

You can find out more information about Direct Debit and our other payment methods here.

With an online account, you can manage your personal details, monitor your usage, and make payments online.

Moving out

Saying goodbye is never easy. We want to make your move smooth, no matter where your next adventure leads you.

You can let us know you’re moving out by logging into your online account or by contacting us.

What we’ll do

  • We’ll agree with you how we’ll get a final meter reading
  • We’ll read your meter on the day of your move, as long as you give us at least two working days’ notice
  • We’ll send you your final bill within five working days of your move date

Switching supplier

Since our heat network is integrated into the community, you can’t switch your heating and hot water supplier. You’re protected by:

  • Our Guaranteed Standards of Service
  • Ofgem regulation
  • Heat Trust registration

Priority Services Register

Join our Priority Services Register for free if you need extra support because of your health, age, disability, or circumstances.

Find out how we can support you if you need extra help.

Is there something else
we can help with?

Our guaranteed
service standards

We know you need to be able to rely on us. That’s why we guarantee minimum standards of service. Our standards are aligned with Heat Trust recommendations, although we think we can work harder for you. So, in some cases our promises exceed what the Heat Trust asks us to do.

We’re a proud member of the Heat Trust; an industry body providing consumer protection for residential customers living on heat networks within the UK.


Making appointments

Your account

Payment arrangements

Complaints

If your heating isn’t working

Temperature and flow rate

Standards for cooling

Direct debits and standing orders

Court claims

Exceptions


Is there something else
we can help with?

How are we
regulated?

We want you to feel confident and cared for when it comes to pricing and service – we’re already committed to meeting the highest standard of customer care and fairness.


How you are protected

Ofgem regulates Heat Networks, so you can trust that we’ll always work hard for you. All our networks are registered with Heat Trust, offering you peace of mind and a reliable service.

Heat Trust is a voluntary scheme that protects customers whose homes are connected to a community heat network. It sets clear standards for service and customer care, so you receive fair, transparent, and good-value service.

Find out more information about Heat Trust.

What you can expect from us

We recognise that we are in a position of responsibility and we take this very seriously. Metropolitan has been providing heat to thousands of homes and businesses for many years.

  • Exceptional customer service from our UK-based team.
  • Quick and fair resolution if anything goes wrong. Access to an independent complaint-handling service.
  • Your feedback matters to us. We always aim to improve our service based on your comments.

Is there something else
we can help with?

Help with
paying your bills

We know that sometimes it can be difficult to find the money to pay for bills. Please get in touch if you’re struggling to pay and we promise we’ll do all we can to help.

If you’re worried about your finances, you can chat online to our dedicated financial support team by clicking the button below.


Breathing space

If you need some time to get back on your feet, we might be able to pause your payments for a short while. You may be eligible if you’ve had a change in personal circumstances with an unexpected impact on your income, such as illness, redundancy, or bereavement.

If you’d like to benefit from Breathing Space, contact an independent financial advice company. We’ve listed some of them below.

Payment plans

A payment plan can help spread the cost of your heating and hot water over flexible payment periods to make it more manageable.

We’ll work with you to understand what you can afford and find the best payment plan. Together, we’ll agree on a fixed monthly amount to be paid over a set period.

Part of the money will go towards repaying your debt, and part will cover your current heating and hot water usage. This way, you can gradually pay off what you owe.

Switching to Pay As You Go

If it’s available in your home, you can pay in advance for your heat which can be a useful budgeting tool. Visit here for more information on Pay As You Go.

Benefits Calculator

Are you receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to?

Turn2us are a National charity who help people when times are tough. Use their Benefits Calculator to find out which welfare benefits you may be entitled to to maximise your income.

If you have an outstanding balance

Daily standing charges will be added to your account even if you’re not using heating or hot water. While we’ll do all we can to help, you do still need to pay for the service you use.

If you have an outstanding balance, we’ll send reminders. If you don’t respond, we may take further action to recover the money you owe, which could include:

  • Asking a debt collection agency to recover the money
  • Asking the County Court to issue a claim against you
  • Switching you to Pay As You Go or disconnect your service

Did you know about our Priority Services Register?

We know some customers need extra help due to disabilities, vulnerabilities or changing/challenging circumstances. There are ways we can help.

Is there something else
we can help with?

We offer flexible ways to pay, that work for you.

Direct Debit

Pay when you get your monthly bill

Pay As You Go (If applicable at your home)

Need help with paying your bills? 

We understand that sometimes it can be difficult to find the money to pay for heating your home.

We promise:

  • We’ll do all we can to help
  • We’ll work with you to agree a plan
  • We’ll give you details of places you can get independent advice and support

Is there something else
we can help with?

Pay As You Go
(PAYG)

Pay As You Go (PAYG) is a simple and efficient way to manage what you’re spending. You add credit to your account before you use the heating and hot water and you can top up at any time over the phone or online.


Is PAYG right for you?

The easiest way to pay is by Direct Debit, which automatically handles your payments each month. 

For more control, PAYG lets you manage your heating and hot water spending by paying in advance, avoiding unexpected bills. 

PAYG might not be suitable if you need constant heat or have trouble topping up.

Customers who have payment difficulties sometimes use a PAYG meter as a way to better manage their finances. If you’re experiencing any difficulties with paying your bills or topping up, then let us know as soon as possible and we’ll see what we can do to help.

How does it work?

You add credit to your meter to pay for your heat and hot water. As you use them, the credit decreases. If the credit runs out, your supply will be disconnected until you add more.

A daily standing charge is also deducted from your credit (Direct Debit customers also pay the daily standing charge). Keep your meter in credit to avoid interruptions and prevent debt from building up.

Important Information

Heat unit rate

The rate for heat is the same for both PAYG and Direct Debit customers. PAYG does not cost more.

Standing charge

This daily charge is applied to your meter regardless of whether you use heat and hot water or not, therefore an outstanding balance can build up that will need to be paid. This charge helps cover the costs of buying, maintaining, and managing the heat network, community heat hub and equipment. This cost is the same for both PAYG and Direct Debit customers.

How to top up

You can top up at any time over the phone or online. If you live on our King’s Cross network, you can also use a payzone card.

  • Phone (automated): We have an automated top up service available 24/7 on 02920 100346
  • Website: You can top up in your online account – using your credit or debit card

It can take up to three hours for the updated balance to appear on your account once you’ve topped up. You can see your account balance by checking the Heat Interface Unit in your home, logging into your online account or giving us a call. We’ll also send you an annual statement.

Low
credit

When your balance falls below a certain value, you will be reminded to top up; your meter will either make a beeping sound or the light will change to red when you run out. 

Emergency credit

If you run out of credit and can’t top up, you can use “emergency credit” to keep your heat and hot water for a short time. If you use all the emergency credit, the supply will disconnect. 

This borrowed credit must be repaid when you next top up. Your account must have credit to reconnect your supply.

For more information, please get in touch.

Friendly
credit

(where applicable)

There are certain times of the day where we won’t disconnect you if you run out of credit and you will instead go into ‘friendly credit’.

Your meter will still record what you’re using, and you’ll need to pay for that when you next top up.

If you don’t top up before the end of the friendly credit period, your heating and hot water supply will stop.

For more information, please get in touch.

Moving home

If you move into a new home and there is no heating and hot water available, it may be because the meter has been set to PAYG. Just give us a call or register online and the heating and hot water supply should become available once you top up or set up a Direct Debit.

If you’re moving out, please let us know your move date so that we don’t ask you to pay for the daily standing charge after you’ve moved out.

Is there something else
we can help with?

Submitting a
meter reading

If your bill is based on an estimated meter reading, if you provide us with an accurate reading, we can update your bill right away and you’ll see your new balance. 


Sending us a meter reading is the best way to keep your account up to date and ensure you’re paying the correct amount for your heat and hot water usage.

If you’ve used more than you’ve been paying for, you may have to make catch-up payments.

How to submit a meter reading

It’s easy to send us a meter reading, and it will help us make sure you’re only paying for what you use.

The heat meter, usually inside the HIU, records your heat and hot water usage and sends remote readings to us. You can also check it yourself on the HIU’s front screen by looking for the number of kWh.

If you need some help reading your meter

If you’re having trouble reading your heat meter, don’t worry, you can request our engineers to read the meter for you.

Is there something else
we can help with?

Priority Services
Register

We understand that we have customers who may need some extra support, so we’ve developed a range of free services to help make it easier for them.


What is the Priority Services Register?

This is a free service that gives extra help to customers who might need it.

We offer a range of services and support, from sending out bills in an alternative format, speaking with someone else about your account on your behalf and helping you find a way to pay for your bills.

We’ll find the right support for you, no matter your age, health or life circumstances.

We’re always improving our services to better support customers who need extra help, both now and in the future. Our Vulnerability Customer Strategy details what we’re doing to help and support anyone in a vulnerable scenario.

Who we can help?

Joining our Priority Services Register is easy; you can contact us or login to your account to update your preferences.

You’re deaf, hard of hearing or have a sight difficulty

English isn’t your first language

You have a low income or are struggling financially

You’re pregnant or have a child under five years old

You have restricted mobility, or a disability, or you need to use vital medical equipment

You have learning difficulties

You’re experiencing mental heath issues

You’ve gone through a recent bereavement, break-up or job loss

You’re over 65 years old

You have difficulty speaking

If you want extra reassurance when we visit your property

If you need help managing your account

Services we offer

  • We’ll arrange for someone of your choice to help you manage your account
  • We can provide a bill reading service (we’ll send you an audio file of your bill in the post)
  • We can provide bills in large print or braille
  • We’ll work with you to find a flexible payment plan when possible
  • If English isn’t your first language, we can provide translated bills or documents
  • You can change our website to meet your needs
with our Recite Me toolbar
  • We’ll let you know as far in advance as possible if there’s going to be a supply interruption in your area
  • We’ll offer you priority fault repair and provide an alternative supply of heating if the supply is interrupted for more than 12 hours
  • We’ll read your meter within five working days, if you’re finding it tricky and would like our help
  • We’ll never suspend your heating and hot water if you are listed on our Priority Services Register

How to sign up to our Priority Services Register

If you think you need extra help and you’d like to be added to our Priority Services Register, please contact us, or log in to your online account.

If you want help
managing your account

If you’d like a trusted person to help you with your account, you can nominate them to 
deal with us on your behalf. This can include checking and paying your bills, booking appointments, or making a complaint. Just give us a call or use the third-party nomination form, and we’ll arrange it.

If you want extra reassurance when we visit your property

Unfortunately, sometimes criminals who may pretend to work for utility companies try to gain entry to people’s homes. We refer to them as ‘Bogus Callers’.

For added protection and peace of mind, we operate a doorstep password scheme which is free and open to all our customers. Once you have set up a password, any employee from Metropolitan will need to quote this before entering your home.

If you want help with your heating and hot water bills

We understand that managing bills can be tricky. If you’re worried about paying your bills or need extra support, we’re here to help you. There are a number of ways we can help, including setting up a payment plan, or giving you some breathing space. 

Is there something else
we can help with?