Huge bill- help needed ! :-)

robbiforgold

Hi Moneysavers,

I've got a huge bill shock recently and wondered if any of my learned moneysavers could give me some advice. It would be really appreciated as I'm currently not doing so great financially so would just like some friendly tips on how best to approach British Gas.

In July I recieved an up to date electrivity bill and they have adjusted the direct debits to £200 per month! Previously I was paying £50 per month and this was on behalf of my mother who used to live here but recently mpved out. She doesnt work anymore so as the eldest son I have taken over responsibltiy for paying her bills.

The problem seems to be that the meter readings have been entirely estiamtes since May 2010. It's only in April 2012 that someone came and took a reading hence why the direct debit has been adjusted so dramatically. They took a meter read of 23956! In March 2012 it was 13665 so this might give you an idea of the significant jump.

Fair enough. I appreciate it was only ever estimated up until that pount (my mum is old so doesnt understand the concept of meter readings). I'm more than happy to pay my due but currently our financial position is pretty bad and I simply cannot afford £200 per month on electricty alone. Are there any options for me?

Is it Briitsh Gas' responsibility to ensure that meter readings are conducted regularly so as to avoid such instances? The box is not even on the property so I am sure access was easy as there are 7 flats who all have the meters in a cupboard that is seperate from the main block.

I'm also incredibly surprised as to how a flat containing two people (my mum and younger brother who live with her) can consume such a vast amount of electricity. They hardly use electricical appliances and I am 100% positive that they are 'green' after having had numerous chats with them on this matter. Is it possible that something has gone wrong or is it a simple case of the bill readings catching up and stinging me?

I'd really appreciate your thoughts. I'm thinking of contacting them within the next few days stating that i cannot afford the high repayments but any tips or advice that I can arm myself with would be eternally helpful :-)

Thanks in advance :j

jalexa

robbiforgold wrote: »

Is it Briitsh Gas' responsibility to ensure that meter readings are conducted regularly so as to avoid such instances?

No. Billing only needs to be as regular as specified in the terms and conditions and could be to an "estimate". It is the householders responsibility to check estimates.

The box is not even on the property so I am sure access was easy as there are 7 flats who all have the meters in a cupboard that is separate from the main block.

The *first* thing for you to do is to gain access to the meters, locate the meter which has the same serial number as your bill and (somehow) satisfy yourself that is the meter connected to your apartment. Take photographs.

robbiforgold

Hi Jalexa,

Thanks for the quick response. It's as I suspected to be honest. I'm certain that they got the meter reading right. I have been in and compared serial number to the bill etc and all seems fine in that regard...

Whether it is connected to my apartment or not is a different issue. How do you think I could go about doing this? As mentioned previously there are several apartments in the block and our next-door neighbour had the upstairs and downstairs flats (it's a maisonette style) split so they now have two separate meters. Perhaps I am just looking for faults when really there is nothing wrong but I'd just like to be 100% certain.

jalexa

robbiforgold wrote: »

Whether it is connected to my apartment or not is a different issue. How do you think I could go about doing this?

Easier with 2 people and a phone. Switch off the main switch at the apartment consumer unit. "Your" meter should stop. Switch back on. "Your" meter may begin to creep. Switch on the kettle and at the moment the kettle is switched on the meter should noticeably speed up and noticeably slow down (or stop) when the kettle is switched off.

Then get a handle on your consumption by taking daily reads for a week.

amiehall

How much is currently owed? If there has been a long period of estimated bills, it isn't really reasonable to expect a huge balance to be cleared by next annual review. If you can't afford the payments, you should ask British Gas to spread the debt repayment over a longer period. They should be willing to do this as long as you're willing to pay an amount that covers new usage and makes inroads into the sum owed.

Terrylw1

Is it even correct? Until you confirm that, the meter reader could have taken it off the wring meter.

In elec, the supplier has a responsibility to make a safety check every 2 years. Normally a reading would be taken. That's the Ofgem side.

However, the Balancing & Settlements Code (BSC) side, governed by Elexon, needs data to accurate at 14 months which is the cut off point for supplier payments. The easiest way to do this is to make sure you get readings.

So, shaft by checking that meter.

Then ask how many times they have been out in these years, did they get access, if so what happened to the reading, etc.

This is crucial because if your account has been underestimated throughout this time, it could be that they have taken quite a few readings and failed to get your billing accurate. This is where the "no back billing over 12 months" argument starts to come in.
Do that and repost as you may need an understanding of back billing, which suppliers frequently abyss.

macman

The supplier only needs to read your meter once every two years. It's best to provide your own readings at least every 3 months to avoid this kind of catch-up bill.

spiro

I know I'll get shot at but BGs t&cs (plus other suppliers) state that customer should provide meter readings twice a year and they clearly show on a bill that it is based on estimated readings. What you have received is a 'catch up' bill so I suspect BG have adjusted the DD to catch up over the next 12 months.

The other problem with elec is that the 2 years resets every time you change supplier so if you change frequently its possible your meter is never read.

paulmapp8306

The meeter would have to have a physical read, either by yourselves or the company, when you change supplier. You cant "estimate" the reading when you switch.

jalexa

spiro wrote: »

I know I'll get shot at but BGs t&cs ... state that customer should provide meter readings twice a year

is that an invitation?:D

5.2 To help make sure your bills are accurate, you must give us meter readings at least twice a year.

Indeed they do but sloppily drafted. The requirement can be interpreted as linked to "accuracy" not an absolute customer requirement. Anyway the "2 readings requirement" could be satisfied by 2 readings in 2 months but that would not satisfy accuracy.

Nit-picking apart I cannot understand why consumers deal with metering and billing so poorly. Martin recognises a poor level of financial education (implicitly in school?), and I agree. It's a condition which is seems also afflicts some supplier's terms and conditions drafters.

robbiforgold

Hi All,

Thank you for your responses. Lots of food for thought.

I took a meter reading as suggested amd it's accurate. It's definitely a case of it catching up with us . It's just a shock to the system that's all and I maintain that I have no issue paying up it's simply an issue of trying to manage it.

Jalexa- thanks for your prompt responses. Your totally right, consumers should be more diligent and that's exactly what I'm trying to do by coming here and taking action. Unfortunately my mother is elderly and didn't have the faintest idea about any of this. I only caught up with this (amd other issues) recently :-(

I'm going to measure our electricity use by turning off the fuse box so I can get a realistic gauge on what the consumption is.

In the meantime I'll contact British Gas and outline our financial hardship. Hopefully theyll come to some sort of agreement but I still maintain that they should have checked the meter more often!

Thank you all. If anyone's got any further tips I'd be ever so grateful. You've all been so great :A