Rogue British Gas Bill

dakaix

I moved into my flat in June 2007, and had problems with the utilities from day one. After several months of phone calls and emails, I thought I had everything sorted - other than British Gas. At the time I was told that the property didn't exist, then the meter didn't exist... then the account was in the name of the builders. I was told that this would take 6 months to correct, and I would be contacted in due course.

In September 2008 I received my first bill from British Gas, addressed to my Landlord. This was for the sum of £550, for 2100 units of usage - regardless of the fact the meter clearly showed 350. I tried contacting them, and was told unequivocally that due to Data Protection they could not discuss the matter with me, and to have the Landlord contact them.

Now I have never had any contact details for my Landlord, with everything having to go through the Lettings Agent - and so when this started I contacted them. They in turn contacted British Gas to sort the matter out, which seemed the case until I recieved a non-payment reminder some two weeks later.

To cut a long story short, I received many further letters and threats from British Gas, and contacted the Lettings Agent each time regarding these - they in turn took the matter up with British Gas. However tonight I came home to find a letter warning "LEGAL ACTION BEING ARRANGED", with the note that my Gas supply would be disconnected on the 17th November, along with threats of warrants and debt collectors.

I contacted British Gas Debt dept. tonight, and was repeatedly told by the person I spoke too that they would not/could not discuss anything regarding the property, bill or account with me, since I was not the account holder. They offered to put me through to Homemovers to create an account for me, but of course this would not stop the impending issue of a wrong bill addressed to the wrong person, and the disconnection date just over a fortnight away.

Whilst I plan to take this up with my Lettings Agent in the morning, I'd like to get your advice on what else I can do regarding this, since they say they have had promises from British Gas that the matter is being sorted - yet the letters keep arriving. A cold winter seems a very real possibility.....

Any comments would be most welcome.

-Dakaix
:eek::mad:

Joyful

If you call through to the Homemovers department no action to disconnect should take place especially if they bill to your read.

SwanJon

Speak to Homemovers and get an account set up in your name from when you moved in. Give them all the readings you have. They may ask for a copy of your tenancy agreement, so if you can have it available to fax in it could speed things up.

You could see if you can argue them down due to the issues you've had, but unless it is in your lease that the landlord will pay the bills, it is down to you to pay for what you have used (and only what you have used).