Standing charges query

lolododo

Hi,

My partner and I bought our first house from the local council last year (Oct 2008). This dwelling was previously used as offices (commercial) and we changed its use to make it our home (residential).

We do not yet live in the property because we are still renovating it. We are both pretty clueless when it comes to utility bills as it is our first house.

Yesterday, we received three 'business' gas bills from British Gas out of the blue, in one go, just like that, adding up to £512.82 in standing charges alone from Oct 2008 to date.

When we purchased the property the gas supply had already been disconnected at the meter. We have never re-opened the supply nor used or needed gas since. We've never had any contract or received any correspondence from British Gas before. We did not even know they were the council's previous supplier.

Can they do this, knowing that we have never entered into a contract with them? and, first of all, knowing that we are not a 'business'?

I have researched the internet and learned that there are different types of residential contracts, some with and some without standing charges. We would be interested by the latter because we are not going to use gas for another year, is it possible? Can we choose our supplier or do we need to use British Gas automatically?

What should we do? i don't think we should even have to pay these bills in the first place?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

We are asked to settle the bills by 8 Oct, a bit short notice don't you think for £512!!

Thanks
Laure

Premier_2

lolododo wrote: »

...This dwelling was previously used as offices (commercial) and we changed its use to make it our home (residential).

... We've never had any contract or received any correspondence from British Gas before. ...

Who did you change the property's use with?

If you have never contacted BG, how do they know your name? (Perhaps the seller advised them that you were the new owner?)

How would BG know that you are not a business?

lolododo

Hi Premier

Thanks ever so much for your reply. I can only assume BG got in touch with the council (previous owner) and they must have given them our details.

I called BG Business today and explained the whole situation. The lady i spoke to was extremely helpful. They have cancelled all the bills and will send us a domestic form to fill in, she said we will not have to pay anything until we are ready to use gas again and re-connect the supply.

Customer service, on this occasion, deserved top marks! I am very pleased.

Thanks
Laure

Guildford_Girl

I was with Npower when i moved into my flat, and had nothing but problems with them. I was on prepayment for Gas and Electric and yes they charge you a standing charge for using the prepayment service.

Get switched over to British Gas right away they do not charge you a standing charge for using prepay !!!

Premier_2

Guildford_Girl wrote: »

...Get switched over to British Gas right away they do not charge you a standing charge for using prepay !!!

Possibly the most expensive domestic gas supplier out there! :eek:
(even though this thread is about a business tariff!)

i.e. 8.341p/kWh for initial 2680kWh
3.409/kWh otherwise
https://www.britishgas.co.uk/pdf/Standard%20gas%20prices.pdf

compare this to say Ebico who charge just 3.675p/kWh (also with no standing charge)
http://www.ebico.co.uk/gasrates.php

This means any domestic gas customer on pre-payment meter who uses less than £1600 of gas per year would be worse off with British Gas compared to Ebico.

I'm not suggesting Ebico are the cheapest, just using them as an example of how expensive British Gas can be to the average domestic gas user with pre-payment meter.

I suggest you get hitting those comparison sites

Premier_2

Guildford_Girl wrote: »

I was with Npower when i moved into my flat, ...

That's not what you said a few days ago

Guildford_Girl wrote: »

When i moved into my flat in March 2008 both Gas and Electric were on prepayment ...

I was also with British Gas for gas and electric.

Guildford_Girl

Premier wrote: »

That's not what you said a few days ago

Sorry i may have got the dates wrong. When i moved into the flat in Feb 2008 (feels like i have been here alot longer than that ) it was with Npower prepay for gas and electric so i had no choice but to stay with them for the 30 days notice peroid. I joined up to British Gas prepay for both gas and electric and that swaped over in Mar 2008.

Please tell me what i said the other day as i am feeling as if i have to explain myself !!