Issue's resolving final utilities bill after swtiching suppliers

lianne7291

I moved into a new build development in October 2008, and my Housing association didn't provide me with any info regarding who my utilities suppliers were. I even rang the national grid to find out myself and they couldn't tell me!

So I decided to switch to my preferred supplier instead and that way I would get sent some kind of communication, final bill, from my old supplier.

I did receive some communications, with the wrong name on them, and have now spoken to them numerous times, to give them my original utility reads of when I moved into the property and to give them more recent reads so they can work out my final bill. They do not seem to be able to get my bill correct though!

When I ring them to complain and request an amended bill, they refuse to speak to me about any financial issues with this account, due to my name not being the account holder. They will only accept reads from me. There has never been anyone else living in my flat, it's brand new, it's just a name the housing association put down to open the account.

Is there any way I can finally get this resolved? (I am still waiting for a correct bill)

I am at the end of my tether and am considering telling them to chase the person who's name is on the account for payment, as I don't know what else to do!

Any advice greatly received, it's an odd situation I know

Premier_2

You need to contact the existing supplier for the property.

You seem to know who they are now, since you have received correspondence from them.

You'll probably need to provide them with the date and meter reading when you moved in. They will want to know the current meter reading too. They will then set up a new account in your name and bill you accordingly.

Energy companies will only discuss accounts with the named account holder (or nominee) hence why you are currently experiencing difficulties. Any energy used before you moved in will be the responsibility of the previous account holder, which appears to be the HA.

Once you have set up an account with the existing supplier, you can switch supplier if you so desire, switching takes 4-6 weeks to occur typically.

lianne7291

Hi, thanks for taking the time to reply :-)

I have been in contact with them and given them all the meter reads from when I moved in, and some more recent reads, but they are still refusing to speak to me regarding any financial issues, and they will not set up a new account for my address, as there is already an account linked to it.

I'm not sure what else I can do to resolve it. I suppose I could always speak to my HA, maybe they will be able to help me explain to British Gas what has happened.

spiro

lianne7291 wrote: »

Hi, thanks for taking the time to reply :-)

I have been in contact with them and given them all the meter reads from when I moved in, and some more recent reads, but they are still refusing to speak to me regarding any financial issues, and they will not set up a new account for my address, as there is already an account linked to it.

I'm not sure what else I can do to resolve it. I suppose I could always speak to my HA, maybe they will be able to help me explain to British Gas what has happened.

I suggest you contact the HA and get them to contact the 'old' supplier so they can provide a 'move out' date so the account can be switched into your name. The issue they will have is around data protection laws which will only allow them to discuss the account with the account holder (HA or builder).

Premier_2

lianne7291 wrote: »

Hi, thanks for taking the time to reply :-)

I have been in contact with them and given them all the meter reads from when I moved in, and some more recent reads, but they are still refusing to speak to me regarding any financial issues, and they will not set up a new account for my address, as there is already an account linked to it.

I'm not sure what else I can do to resolve it. I suppose I could always speak to my HA, maybe they will be able to help me explain to British Gas what has happened.

They should set up a new account in your name as the new occupier.
They may be waiting for the existing account holder (the HA) to contact them too to confirm that they wish their account closed.
It would be good to speak to the HA.
Perhaps you could call the supplier together and that would resolve the matter.