Large Electricity Bill due to estimated reading over last 2 years! Advice appreciated

Shocked

Hi.

I always pay my bills, and I have never missed any payments, whether it be mortgage, utilities etc.

I have my electricity through British Gas, who use Accureed to read the meters, and we have just received notification that because Accureed have not read the meter since 2007, we have been under-paying due to our bills being based on estimated readings. We now have quite a large bill to settle within the next 7 months, on top of what we have already paid over the last two years.

Now, I don't want to kick up a fuss where it's not necessary, but I would like a little advice. Does the responsibility lie with me to ensure that they have actual readings? If so, then I'll take it on the chin and pay the bill, but I would like to know what the usual procedure is.

British Gas have said that we do not have to pay all the money at once, but I must have the outstanding money settled within the next 7 months.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Magentasue

Have you submitted customer readings when you have received bills with estimated readings?

Shocked

That's the thing. I know that I haven't, and I'll have to ask the wife if she has...but again, it may be the case that we didn't.

That's why I don't want to kick up a fuss, as I had a feeling that it is me in the wrong for not ensuring they had meter readings.

Like I say, I hold my hands up when I'm in the wrong and I'll take it on the chin.

Premier_2

Shocked wrote: »

... If so, then I'll take it on the chin and pay the bill, but I would like to know what the usual procedure is.

British Gas have said that we do not have to pay all the money at once, but I must have the outstanding money settled within the next 7 months.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

That's the procedure. The supplier will bill you for the shortfall.

If, as seems apparent here, you normally pay on receipt of bill, you can either settle the bill in full immediately, or negotiate with the supplier for a repayment plan. Suppliers normally agree to a repayment plan equivilent to the amount of time the debt originally accrued over.

MoaningMyrtle

There is usually a note on the back of the estimated bill to tell you how to read the meter yourself and submit the correct readings.

Shocked

Thank you for all the help and advice...much appreciated.

We have checked with BG and they have said that they have calculated the price at the current costs. When asked if they could calculate at the actual costs spanning over the last two years, they said that they could, but there is a possibility that it could work out more expensive!