British Gas

buglet67

We own a house we are gradually fixing up to sell, and it is vacant and has been for three years. After a couple of years with no problems, British Gas sent us an estimated bill for the electrics in February (gas meters can be read, as they are outside). There is little electricity being used as no one lives there, and the estimated bill and meter reading was way too high (£75 for a vacant house...we used electric for six hours to do some drilling and test some light installation). We thus put the correct meter reading on their internet billing site, but the system would not take it for some reason, so we sent two letters to their billing division with digital photographs of the meters, and screenshots of our attempts to enter the proper meter readings, and asked for a revised bill.

None was forthcoming, only several threatening letters and a phone call from them. I explained to the person who called what the situation was...the property was vacant and being refurbished, and asked what we should do...she told us she'd take us off the list and gave me a phone number to call, she said to submit the meter readings by phone. The number turned out to be for people who couldn't pay...that is not the problem. We just want a correct bill so we can pay it. So, we submitted the meter readings by phone. Still no good. Now we are getting a letter threatening they will get a warrant and break into the property to install a pay as you go meter.

So, I suppose we will now have to go to court when they attempt to issue the warrant and present the proper meter reading so we can get a proper bill? Any alternative, or is this what it has come to? Suggestions would be appreciated.

Cardew

Firstly you need to write and complain explaining as above..

One of the problems with the BG accounting computer(and other companies) is that it is programmed to ignore meter readings that it 'thinks' is a mistake.

Had you sent in regular meter readings 3 years ago this problem probably wouldn't have arisen. However once it has made a couple of 'unchallenged' estimated readings(it will estimate on the previous occupant's consumption) any subsequent reading well below the estimated reading will be rejected as a mistake and it will re-estimate and nothing will change until there is human intervention.

TIMMY85

If you call BG on the general billing enquiries number a billing agent can re-bill the account for you in minutes - you may even speak to me as I am in work tomorrow!