Getting gas apparently for free

Dysonator · 26 June 2009 at 12:30PM

Hi all,

I did a search and there were a couple of similar threads but none identical to my problem so I felt it best to start a new thread.

I have moved house into rented accommodation and my own property is going on the market in a week's time. I just phoned Scottish Power to inform them/ give them my up to date meter readings etc, I gave her the electricity ones and was ready to give her the gas one when she informed me that they are not supplying me with gas - that I never nominated them! This is absolute rubbish as I remember doing it as I had spent ages doing my homework finding out about best rates during the big gas price hike last year and decided Scottish Power would be best for my needs.

She told me that unless I am paying some other gas company, I have been getting free gas for the past 9 months i.e. from when it was first installed. She gave me the tel no. for Transco to find out my supplier details and MPR no. Oh and she did say that she had a note of a supply no. on their sytem but she couldn't tell what it was related to i.e. gas or electricity. I phoned Transco who have absolutely no knowledge of me or my property or ever having installed a gas meter there, whatsoever. I gave her the serial no of my meter and she still could not find my details.

The MPR No. however, I noticed is actually hanging from a tag from the meter and it matches the one that Scottish Power have on record so they obviously did get this info at the time I nominated them but they haven't begun charging me for whatever reason. So I'm completely confused and baffled. And more to the point, in a complete panic about receiving a bill for over 9 months of gas supply!! I haven't looked carefully at my bills this year because I've been in my final year at uni and swamped.. I'd just look at the figures quickly to make sure all was in order and I had absolutely no idea that the Scottish Power bills I was receiveing did not include gas!

Please can someone advise me what I should do. Should I just move out and play ignorance now? Am I liable? If Transco don't seem to know about me and Scottish Power or anyone else aren't supplying me with gas, at least to their knowledge, and I am not being charged, should I just take my money and run??

Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable replies..

D.

Premier_2 · 26 June 2009 at 1:18PM

How to identify your gas supplier

See the last sentance regarding IGTs.

jd87 · 26 June 2009 at 1:23PM

Transco don't actually exist any more so you probably spoke to National Grid who replaced them. If they don't think your property exists then I don't know what to say really. Never heard of it before!

[EDIT] Oh yeah forgot about IGTs.

Cardew · 26 June 2009 at 1:43PM

There is a strong possibility that the bill will eventually catch up with you. Even if it is totally their fault they can still back-bill you for 12 months.

I would think very carefully before you 'take your money and run'. Leaving University with a black mark on your credit record and being chased by a Debt Collection Agency is not the way to start life as a graduate!

lemontart · 26 June 2009 at 1:59PM

it is not a case of the property not existing it is a case of no gas supplier has registered as supplying gas to the property.

If you were told national grid hold no details then you would have also been told that as that is the case you are free to register a supply with gas company of choice, or if the property is coming up as an independant gas transporter you would have been advised to look at the front of the meter for the name of the company and advised to contact them to see if the details are recorded.

The onus is on the supplier to register that they are supplying the property.

As you have the mprn number call national grid on 0870 608 1524 and ask them to check by using the mprn to search, and if does not come up - and not told igt then go to any gas supplier tell them ng holds no details then you can register a supply with them.

Liz

Premier_2 · 26 June 2009 at 3:19PM

Well someone is supplying the gas, even if they haven't registered the fact.

2.8.3 SHIPPERLESS/UNREGISTERED SITES
...
Suppliers are allowed to bill for all fuel that has been used, even if they were not the registered supplier at the time, therefore consumers should not be surprised to receive a bill for the entire period that they have lived at the property.

However, in many cases, suppliers will only issue a bill from the time that the consumer contacted them.

http://www.cravendc.gov.uk/craven/documents/StrategicHousing%5CPrivate%20Sector/Energywatch%20-%20Big%20Book%20Of%20Energy.pdf

Antispam · 26 June 2009 at 4:41PM

I would make sure you put money a side, eventually they will catch up and bill you. It may take a while but personally I wouldn't want a nasty surprise

katastrophy · 26 June 2009 at 4:54PM

I lived in a house for a year when I was a student and never received a gas or electric bill. Landlord knew nothing about it. No one ever chased me up. Having worked for an energy supplier I know just how haphazard their systems really are, I can honestly say they haven't a clue, not least as they keep details on 4 different databases and they never match up! In fact it was my job to look at the 5 million data exceptions and start to sort them out. Proud to say there were only 2 million when I left a year later

Personally I'd get registered now and count yourself lucky!

lemontart · 26 June 2009 at 7:21PM

Premier wrote: »

Well someone is supplying the gas, even if they haven't registered the fact.
http://www.cravendc.gov.uk/craven/documents/StrategicHousing%5CPrivate%20Sector/Energywatch%20-%20Big%20Book%20Of%20Energy.pdf

excellent link pity few folks including some suppliers are not aware of it, i

Dysonator · 26 June 2009 at 8:41PM

Thanks to each and every one of you for kindly taking the time to reply. The general consensus both here and with people I've spoken to in the real world seems to be "don't take the risk".. as much as Katastrophe's post made me halter again for a few minutes.. but I'm going to do the sensible thing and register with Scottish Power. Citizens Advice Bureau told me that as it sounds to be down to an error of theirs, that I will be afforded sone latitude as to how I will pay the eventual bill i.e. by setting my own payback instalment level and period.

Thanks again to all of you. I'll post here again to update the story.. if anyone happens to be interested.

littletommytucker · 27 June 2009 at 7:52PM

Private Message me your MPRN number. I have access to National Grid database and can tell you if who you are supplied by, or if you have what is known as a "shipperless site" (a site that is hooked up to the national grid, but no supplier in being charged for, and therefore no supplier will charge you)

Getting gas apparently for free

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