Really wrong estimated bills - huge backlog

bobbadog

Just a note on this - British Gas HAVE done a landlord safety check thing every 6 months since i've been here - got the paperowrk for that. I did ask the lady on the phone why they didn't read the electric meter when they were here and she said legally they only can do one job at once... i sthat true, or rubbish? x

Premier_2

bobbadog wrote: »

Just a note on this - British Gas HAVE done a landlord safety check thing every 6 months since i've been here - got the paperowrk for that. I did ask the lady on the phone why they didn't read the electric meter when they were here and she said legally they only can do one job at once... i sthat true, or rubbish? x

The Landlord's Gas Safety check (CP12) is something different to inspecting the meter. An engineer will carry out the Landlords Gas Safety check (or your LL can employ his own authorised engineer to do that). A meter reader will carry out the meter inspection and take a reading; your LL can't employ his own engineer for that.

Different jobs for different people.

Btw, a Landlord's Gas Safety Inspection is only required every 12 months - not sure why someone is paying BG at their extortionate rates to do it every 6 months.

Fire_Fox

bobbadog wrote: »

Just a note on this - British Gas HAVE done a landlord safety check thing every 6 months since i've been here - got the paperowrk for that. I did ask the lady on the phone why they didn't read the electric meter when they were here and she said legally they only can do one job at once... i sthat true, or rubbish? x

But you have been in the building almost every day for the past eighteen months, why haven't you read the meter before now? :rolleyes: It costs you nothing but five minutes to read the meter, it costs British Gas £s to pay a meter reader.

It makes little difference to British Gas whether you get a bit behind in your DD payments or a bit ahead, as long as you settle up when you leave the flat. In contrast in makes a great deal of difference to you if you are paying out way over or under the odds.

obprestige

Sorry to hijack the thread but I am in a very similar position and have just read the meter and got a huge shock when the bill was calculated. Having not had my own place before I was unaware of the whole process. I will just lay out a few points in the hope that someone can advise me as to the best course of action.

I have lived in the flat for 2 yrs and 3 months
I was recieving bills for the previous person when I moved in and rang Scottish Power to get the bills reset and changed into my name. They promptly wrote off the outstanding bill and asked what dite I moved in. After this I have been recieving bills every qtr that I have been paying with no arguments from Scottish Power.
In the two years I have lived here I have never been asked for a reading including when I informed them that I had moved in. I have never had an inspector or meter reader come from the power company.
I have had my landlord do the annual gas inspection.

I am not in a position to pay the bill outright.

What is my best course of action.

(please no judgement on the fact I have not read the meter as I am aware that this was foolish of me to think that I understood how the billing system worked)

Magentasue

obprestige wrote: »

I am not in a position to pay the bill outright.

What is my best course of action.

First, work out how much you need to pay over a year. If necessary, look at the total for two years and halve it.

Second, divide this by 12 - this is what you need to pay every month to keep on top of the energy you are using now and in the future.

Work out how much you can afford to pay on top of this to clear the debt. Contact supplier and negotiate.

If they want more than you can afford to pay, and you cannot raise the money, prepayment meters may be the only option. Avoid if you can, even if it means going back to basics (cut outgoings right back). If they are willing to accept the amount you can afford, stick to the plan and keep usage (gas and elec) to minimum until you're in the clear.

Katie-Kat-Kins

roddydogs wrote: »

Had the same thing with N-Power..its nothing to do with meter readings, its the increase last summer........they did not increase my monthly payments to take into a/c of this, of course i knew it would hit eventually, but then i had the money earning interest!

Haha npower increased their prices last year and then reduced our DD! By Half!

Now faced with a big backlog to make up.....:(

Ah well, have now vowed to provide readings more regularly.