British Gas Meter Exchange:

MeeMMeeM

Hi all,

I thought I would post my outrage about British Gas dealing with my meter exchange, I will try to sum up the events quickly!

- Were on Economy7, found out meter has fault and has been charging us day time rate sometimes in the evening.

- British Gas arrange meter exchange (10th Feb 10), job carried out quickly, guy saids that the meter has most probably been broken since we moved in (Oct 09).

-British Gas advise me to ring them up after a few weeks usage and we will get everthing sorted.

- Called up (~ end Feb), told them the meter readings, they used this as an estimate and credit the account. I'm happy its resolved, and now we have a new meter.

- 1/4 bill arrives (8th April) with old meter and estimate readings, I ring and tell them I have a new meter and thought this was all dealt with. They tell me that they will pass everything on about the new meter and things should get sorted.

-27th April they contact me for more information, which I provide, but my tenancy has come to end so I am moving out today and need the final bill to get my deposit back (which I desperately need!).

- They now have informed me that it may take 3-4 weeks to track the log note/work sheet from the company that has installed the meter!

Summary: I am not happy, how can it take 4 months to register a meter exchange, I am not going suffer for the next 3-4 weeks as I cant get my deposit back without a final bill!

Any comments/suggestions?

Cheers MeeMMeeM

macman

One point here; E7 rate is normally midnight to 7am-you will not get a reduction on any units deemed to be used during the evening-they are charged at the peak E7 rate.

cybergibbons

MeeMMeeM wrote: »

but my tenancy has come to end so I am moving out today and need the final bill to get my deposit back

I don't think your landlord is allowed to ask for this. The contract is between the energy company and you, not with the property.

Cardew

cybergibbons wrote: »

I don't think your landlord is allowed to ask for this. The contract is between the energy company and you, not with the property.

Surely what the OP means is that the landlord holds a deposit(normally a month's rent) and he will not return that deposit until he is satisfied the the OP has settled all utility bills up to the date of leaving(with the correct meter readings shown on the bill.

cybergibbons

Cardew wrote: »

Surely what the OP means is that the landlord holds a deposit(normally a month's rent) and he will not return that deposit until he is satisfied the the OP has settled all utility bills up to the date of leaving(with the correct meter readings shown on the bill.

Yes, and it's not really any of the landlord's business to withhold a deposit on this basis. The utility company can't recover the debt from the landlord, so why should he hold the deposit on this basis?

They have 10 days after you move out to claim any deductions anyway, and there is no way that a final bill would be sorted by then.

Cardew

cybergibbons wrote: »

Yes, and it's not really any of the landlord's business to withhold a deposit on this basis. The utility company can't recover the debt from the landlord, so why should he hold the deposit on this basis?

You miss the point.

The landlord will want some sort of proof the tenant has paid a bill to include the present meter readings; or paid any bill; so that is standard practice

Many a tenant doesn't give an accurate meter reading on leaving(not suggesting that is the case here!)

Where there is confusion, as in this case, as far as the landlord is concerned they will want it sorted before he hands back the deposit.

Buddingblonde

Have you tried BG Complaints Procedure?

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

energy_saver

Doesn't matter what the landlord wants - they are unable to withhold the return of the deposit because of an outstanding final bill. Deductions can be made from the deposit for agreed damages etc but the energy bill is between the account holder and the energy supplier.

Cardew

energy_saver wrote: »

Doesn't matter what the landlord wants - they are unable to withhold the return of the deposit because of an outstanding final bill. Deductions can be made from the deposit for agreed damages etc but the energy bill is between the account holder and the energy supplier.

They can, if that is what the rental agreement states.

This is an extract from a letting agent's T&Cs

Utility Bills
It would be advisable to pay your final utility bills at a post office. We require proof of final payment in the form of a receipt.
Read the utility meters yourself on the last day of the tenancy and put the details on your Blue Deposit Return check sheet. Advise the utility companies in order that they can send you a final bill – please notify them of your forwarding address.
Agree which tenants are to pay all the remaining bills on the property and forward the receipts of payment with your Deposit Return check out form to Pickerings.

My kids at university had a similar clause - it is standard practice as far as I am concerned.

Anyway, regardless of you or I being correct, it would appear that the Landlord of the OP requires sight of a final bill. Possession being etc;)

So what do you suggest? take him to court for an illegal contract that the OP signed?