Error with Electric Bill - should I just pay it?

3under3

Hi All,

In brief, I rented out my flat, the tenants switched utility companies to British Gas. When they moved out I provided BG with my opening meter reading. It turns out that the tenants had provided the wrong meter to BG. I gave BG the details of the correct meter and they said they would look into it. The flat remained empty for a year, when I sold it I gave my final meter readings which had barely changed over the year.

However British Gas have finally sent me a bill still stating the incorrect meter number. I have contact them a least 6 times to explain the situation. Now I am getting texts asking me to pay the bill and have a second letter stating the debt will be passed on to collection company etc etc. Every time I get a text /letter I call them to explain the situation. Someone promises to call me back but never does.

I've spent 20 mins again this evening on the phone trying to sort it out.:mad:

I'm getting to the end of my tether with it all. I am thinking about paying the outstanding bill £118 and then trying to claim it back in the small claims court. I'm worried as the letter implies baliffs will be sent round etc.

Oh finally, the gas bill is also with British Gas and they can see that no gas was used in the year that the flat was empty.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can get this resolved?

Dharri5

3under3 wrote: »

Hi All,

In brief, I rented out my flat, the tenants switched utility companies to British Gas. When they moved out I provided BG with my opening meter reading. It turns out that the tenants had provided the wrong meter to BG. I gave BG the details of the correct meter and they said they would look into it. The flat remained empty for a year, when I sold it I gave my final meter readings which had barely changed over the year.

However British Gas have finally sent me a bill still stating the incorrect meter number. I have contact them a least 6 times to explain the situation. Now I am getting texts asking me to pay the bill and have a second letter stating the debt will be passed on to collection company etc etc. Every time I get a text /letter I call them to explain the situation. Someone promises to call me back but never does.

I've spent 20 mins again this evening on the phone trying to sort it out.:mad:

I'm getting to the end of my tether with it all. I am thinking about paying the outstanding bill £118 and then trying to claim it back in the small claims court. I'm worried as the letter implies baliffs will be sent round etc.

Oh finally, the gas bill is also with British Gas and they can see that no gas was used in the year that the flat was empty.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can get this resolved?

I would certainly not pay a bill I didnt believe to be correct. It sounds like you have done more that enough to try and resolve this situation. Have you tried writing to them? Customer complaints department, this would normally do the trick, It seems companies take written complaints more seriously than complaining over the phone.

I think you just need to state the facts and your not willing to pay a bill you have stated numerous times is incorrect and would like this looking into.

Good Luck.

P.S I would not worry about the letter, its likely to be an idle threat, the only way they could really send bailiffs round is if they have taken you to court and got a warrent of execution (not as bad as the name suggests!). I am guessing this hasnt happened yet, if British Gas look at your account before doing the litigation stuff they will see your comments etc and decide its not in their best interests to take it to court, if they do attempt to take you to court fill out the defence forms and clearly state the reasons why you believe the bill to incorrect and the judge will likely throw it out unless they can proove its correct.

SwanJon

I'd put it all in the letter - dates, reads, meter serial numbers (from the meter and the bill), addresses. Mention that you would like to raise this as a complaint (I know, but spelling it out doesn't hurt), and that you will take it to the Energy Ombudsman if you are not satisfied with the resolution. Send it recorded delivery so you can tell when it has been signed for. (you could also copy and paste it onto the complaints bit of their website, belt and braces). They have 8 weeks to resolve it before you can go to the Ombudsman.
If they have been billing meter X, but you have been using meter Y, it is entirely possible another compnay should be billing meter Y, and whoever is using meter X hasn't had a bill at all. Or as it's flats, they could have got the meters confused even if they supply both themselves (this should be a quicker fix).

If you do phone them, make sure you are using a freephone number - 0800 048 0202 might be a good place to start.

Premier_2

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/complaint

spiro

Just to point out, its the old supplier that provided British Gas with the meter details its nothing your old tenants did or didn't do. As long as the readings on the bill are right I won't bother about the meter serial number and just pay the bill. If the readings are wrong then you need to complain.

Vestra

spiro wrote: »

Just to point out, its the old supplier that provided British Gas with the meter details its nothing your old tenants did or didn't do. As long as the readings on the bill are right I won't bother about the meter serial number and just pay the bill. If the readings are wrong then you need to complain.

Not true as you could be paying for someone elses meter.

3under3

Thanks for all your replies. BG have promised to call me back at 10.30am on Thursday - so I'll give it till then before I take it further. I do not want to pay for the electricity registered on someone else's meter when I didn't use any electricity (or a miminal amount) for a year.