Shipperless gas supply! Eek!

sooperlooper

I moved into a new house in February. The landlord took the meter readings for both gas and electricity. He told me he would notify British gas for the gas meter readings and that I was with Scottish and Southern for the electric, payable by a prepayed meter key. The gas only fuels a heating +hot water boiler, which was only installed shortly before I moved in.

I waited for a while for a bill to come for the gas, and then promptly forgot abut it all for a while (oops) but nothing has arrived at all so far, so I called british gas and they told me I was a 'shipperless supply' and not assigned to anyone. "Ooh fab!" I replied. "That's fraud!" they told me. Eeek! I need to get a supplier quick! Help! :eek:

I'm assuming my landlord hadn't actually signed up with anyone when he had the boiler installed and therefore didn't notify anyone of me moving in or give them the meter reading either.

My questions are:
1. Will I get in trouble for not having a supplier or sorting it sooner?

2. What do I do if I've lost the original meter readings from when I first went in? I'm not sure the landlord will have them any more either. Will I have to pay the whole lot since the boiler was installed or just from the point where I join a supplier?

3. I was told by British Gas over the phone that getting my electric through a prepayed meter from Scottish and southern/southern electric is one of the most expensive ways to do it. Can I (and should I) ditch the meter? It's also under my landlord's name.

3. Having done a quick search through the energy helpline.com it recomended going with Npower for gas but staying with my current supplier for electricity (it wouldn't let me change the key meter prepayment option). Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Can anyone shed any light on this for me please? I'd be very grateful for any advice!

Thank you

chanz4

I wouldnt leave it log without a supplier, bg will flag it to xoserve tog. They can inturn bill you as a transporter and their rates are high.

Its not fraud, but is classed as theft if not paid for.

macman

Never ever leave it to a LL or agent to take readings or register you. Your bill, your debt, your responsibility.
A PPM will cost you the same as Standard tariff on a credit meter.

sooperlooper

Thank you for your replies - I'll get on to it asap as it's been worrying me to death.

I always make a point of taking meter readings whenever I move but on this occasion it was an epic fail - I'd driven over 200 miles to get there and it was very late at night. In the chaos of new house, new job, (new everything!) it slipped my mind, and I had trusted the landlord, which was foolish of me.

What happens if I cannot get hold of the original meter reading? Will they bill me for everything on there?