British Gas Problems

absvicandmark

We recently moved. Our old house was in the middle of nowhere so had no gas only electric. We used Southern Electric. A couple of months b4 we moved I changed my bank over and gave SE the new bank details. I noticed that I had no money being taken, I phoned them and they said they still had my old details and because I owed them about £250 because they hadnt taken any money. They agreed to spread this out over the year (as a good will gesture!) even though they admitted it was their fault!!!
Anyway, when we moved the new house has gas & elec. Elec was SE and gas was British Gas but the housing association had changed it before we moved to all SE.
When we moved in I supplied SE with all the new readings and all the old readings from the old house.
British Gas keep sending me letters saying I owe them money even though the letters are addressed to the occupier (not me) and the dates for the bill start before we moved in. We only owe them half of what the bill says according to the dates. I phoned them and told them the problem but because it was a final bill they wont change it unless I write to them(!?) and until I supplied them the gas reading that I took when we moved in (which I already done).
Will this be the end of it or what???

Soxmum

Hello!
Sounds familiar - British Gas were supposed to call today for annual service on the boiler - but didn't turn up!
Does anyone know if I can claim anything from them for this - as it was their error?
Thanks

smartie1976

Absvicandmark - Basically, BG have to cover their backs. Imagine Someone rings them up and says I wasn't living here during this time I don't owe this money, what do BG do? Believe them and be out of pocket or not believe them and the customer suffers.
It's tricky so BG will ask you to formally contact them with your moving in details, date and read. If you know who the previous occupier was you should mention this as it is likley the previous tenant in your property did not let BG know who they were so they were trying to maybe get away with not paying. Now you've moved in and have to pick up the pieces.

BG will be reasonable if you send them a copy of your tenancy agreement with your letter, and this issue should be resolved. Ask BG to forward any bills for prev tenant to the housing assoc, who may be able to provide details of who the prev tenant was so BG can chase the rightful owner of the debt. Once your details have been sent then the xfer to SE should be able to be completed, but suppliers will not release if there is a current tenant debt owing +£100. BG will have to rebill the occupier acc to their vacation date, then set up one for you if necessary (depending on whether you moved in before or after xfer date) and then you'll get your amended final bill in your name.

Sox - yes, I think it's £20, ring the call centre to complain about the missed appointment.