Gas & Electric - Please help

crescent25

I lived in my dad's property for 25 days (1st April - 25th April) while it was between tenants. I thought it was easier just to leave the Gas & Electric in my name (incase the freezer used a bit of electric), and that when the new tentants moved in, I'd ring up and tell them I'd moved out. I didn't think this would be a problem because everything is switched off.

The new tenants are due to move in on Saturday, so I have just rang British Gas to cancel my gas/electric and to pay the final bill. Bearing in mind I lived in the property for 25 days, I have been told I owe £106.44 on electric and £214.16 on gas!!!!!! I worked out I apparently used 1048 units of electric in 25 days.

The heating used to be on for 1 hour in the morning and 2 hours at night. I had a gas cooker and washing machine. All energy efficient lights. I would use a tv and other basics - hairdryer, mobile charger etc. It had a combi-boiler, so water would run straight from this.

I'm really upset and confused as to why they are stating I owe them over £300 when I have been living in the house on my own. The previous tenant paid around £27 a month for electric and £45 a month for gas and that was for 2 people.

I'm looking for any advice about what I can do please. How can I prove that there is no way 1 person can use this much gas and electirc. I have proof I moved out on 25th April from a water, council tax bill and tv licence. I'm so upset. I physcially can't afford to pay £300!

penrhyn

When the previous tenants left they would/should have given a final meter reading to the gas and electric companies.
Were these checked by you or your father?
A cynic would probably think that they gave a lower than actual reading so they did not have a large final bill, like you have now.

crescent25

When I moved in on 1st April, I rang up British Gas and gave them the meter reading as of 1st April and to advise them that I had just moved in. Therefore it shouldn't matter what the previous tenant gave as they will start my account from the readings I gave...

Premier_2

So you are saying the electric meter has recorded a consumption of 1048kWh (and about 7,500kWh of gas)?

That's a lot of energy you've consumed in 25 days. Warm enough?

You may want to double check the type of gas meter and that they've calculated the gas kWh correctly
http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/consumer_advice/latest_meters_pic.shtml

Other than that, you'll have to prove the meters are faulty, which if they are, your new tenants will appreciate you having done so rather than lumbering them with the problem