Gas bill for empty house

Andraste

I've just moved into a house that's been empty for the last four years following my father's death, and on submitting a gas meter reading have been presented with a bill for nearly £500.

I've had the boiler replaced in the last couple of weeks (the reading was taken before this), and the plumber assures me that there are no leaks from any of the appliances or gas system in the house.

A BG engineer had to visit the property last weekend due to a gas leak, but said that the leak was from the pipe/tap before it reached the meter, so that couldn't affect the meter reading.

Other than the obvious conclusion that it must be a faulty meter - although it was only fitted a couple of years ago - has anyone any ideas before I tackle British Gas about this? Any suggestions welcome!

PS: forgot to add that the reading is based on a previous correct reading taken by me, so it's not estimated/catching up or anything like that.

spiro

It could depend on the tariff you were on. Some tariffs have a quarterly standing charge that is the same regardless of consumption.

What does the bill say? Units used, standing charge etc. Is this the 1st bill in four years or is this the latest quarterly bill?

If both the starting and edning readings are based on readings proivide to British Gas you can not argue the gas has not been used.

macman

What are the opening and closing readings?
Average BG standing charge is apparently £59 per year, so maybe £250-ish over 4 years?
You really should have switched to a non-standing charge tariff if the property was unoccupied.

lemontart

you say you were told by a british gas engineer that there was a leak before the meter - have you called the gas emergency service 0800 111 999 to report this so it can be dealt with? If not please do so now as it will be a risk to safety an it is them who need to deal with this not British Gas.

KimYeovil

Gas standing charges on standard tariffs are typically in the region of £100 per year or more. (not £59 - that would just be for direct debit etc tariffs) So the bill can easily just be standing charges.

kwikbreaks

Andraste wrote: »

I've just moved into a house that's been empty for the last four years following my father's death, and on submitting a gas meter reading have been presented with a bill for nearly £500..

Wait til the local council feel your collar for council tax

macman

KimYeovil wrote: »

Gas standing charges on standard tariffs are typically in the region of £100 per year or more. (not £59 - that would just be for direct debit etc tariffs) So the bill can easily just be standing charges.

You mean the BBC got it wrong?!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/601584.stm

sandraroffey

surely if the bill is for gas consumed before you took the house over, you arent responsible for it????

macman

sandraroffey wrote: »

surely if the bill is for gas consumed before you took the house over, you arent responsible for it????

It's assumed that the OP inherited the property from his/her father upon his death, so they are liable. Even if not, the estate is still liable if the ownership has not been transferred (though I can't beeive it would take 4 years to wind up an estate).

KimYeovil

macman wrote: »

You mean the BBC got it wrong?!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/601584.stm

A typical cheap tariff does only charge £4.50 odd per month whether two tier or daily. But standard tariffs are £100 per year.

Premier_2

macman wrote: »

You mean the BBC got it wrong?!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/601584.stm

That report is 10 years old!