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downcdebt

Hi, I'm renting a flat and have been there just over 6 months. A gas bill came through when we first moved in for approx £60 which I paid. Since then I have had two bills both saying that I am £60 in credit, so essentially I have not paid gas at all.

When I called British Gas to query this, the woman said that it will likely be because the gas metre is not working. British Gas have sent people round over the months to read the metre, which hasn't moved a jot! She suggested I check it, and I think she is right.

Now does anyone know what will happen if I dont say anything at all? If I did get found out, how would they know how much to back charge me? Am I really terrible for considering keeping quiet

I probably wouldn't consider it if I wasn't so much in debt - that doesn't make it right I know...

KimYeovil

They will estimate once they replace/repair the meter using your subsequent consumption as a benchmark.

littletommytucker

If the meter is stuck, or "passing unregistered gas" as it is know in the industry, then they will exchange the meter for a new one and try to agree a fictitious final reading on the old meter with you.

So when you tell them that you used an electric heater (wink wink), and boil the water for your bath on your electric cooker (wink wink wink), you will get a very small bill.

They have no grounds to argue with you. Just say you used very little gas because you knew the meter wasn't working correctly and you were scared that they would send you a big bill eventually.

Trust me, I work for BG. Try and hold off the meter exchange for as long as possible, and use as much gas as you like.

Joyful

I'm upset at the previous poster. He should know better. They could always refuse to believe you ( I would) and base it on a previous years consumption especially if they have a note on the system of you just calling to query it now! Let them know and get the meter changed and move on.

Many times when a display does not show movement on the outside, the internal counter can still show your consumption so don't fall for the advise above please or you will get into a lot more debt.

paulofessex

I foresee them wanting to fit a pre-payment meter...££££££££££

littletommytucker

Great... be disappointed, but at the top of this page it does say "consumer revenge". This website is all about getting revenge on big companies.

Having a PUG meter is a great way to do this, and all advocates know that ultimately they cannot dispute whatever the customer tells them.

If it ended up in court (which it simply wouldn't) the customer would win. BG can't legally just "guess" how much the customer has used, and then enforce it.

Joyful

Consumer revenge does not mean FRAUD!

Gerrard_8_lfc

littletommytucker wrote: »

Great... be disappointed, but at the top of this page it does say "consumer revenge". This website is all about getting revenge on big companies.

Having a PUG meter is a great way to do this, and all advocates know that ultimately they cannot dispute whatever the customer tells them.

If it ended up in court (which it simply wouldn't) the customer would win. BG can't legally just "guess" how much the customer has used, and then enforce it.

Idiot.

Everyone ends up paying for "consumer revenge" as you call it i would call it fraud. Both parties are in the wrong so maybe the OP could hope for a reduced sum ??? not commiting fraud.

do you work in cardiff by any chance ?

downcdebt

thanks for all your replies.

I think I will have to give them a call and get someone to come round and check it. As it was pointed out, i probably have a note on my record that I queried it (sods law - when i phone other companies to complain about issues, it transpires that notes are never left on my record -but bet your life it will in this case!!)

I would be unhappy if they tried to make me pay the same as last years gas use* over the same period - as i was not living in this flat then and maybe the previous occupants were happy to wack the heating up!

*well if it was expensive, if it was next to nothing then that is a different matter haha.

also i would like to come to some arrangement that they dont want all the back pay at once as can't afford lump sums. Dont want to sit here worrying about keeping quiet back firing on me!!

Joyful

Don't worry. They will allow you time to pay so the sooner you sort it the better.

DVardysShadow

downcdebt wrote: »

...
I would be unhappy if they tried to make me pay the same as last years gas use* over the same period - as i was not living in this flat then and maybe the previous occupants were happy to wack the heating up!

You would be well in order to insist they used readings while you are in occupation