British Gas Objecting To Me Changing Suppliers

lsmi

Hi,

I am looking for some advice.

I wanted to change from British Gas' standard tariff for my gas and electricity to Scottish Power's Fixed Tariff until 2014.

Today I received two letters from British Gas, one relating to my gas and one relating to my electricity, stating the objected to the switch on the grounds of my balances.

I am £30.36 in debit on my electricity and £50.72 in debit on my gas.

What are my next steps?

I can't afford to pay these amounts off as I am on benefits and they haven't even said that is an option.

Please can someone help?

Thanks

spiro

I presume these are 'debts' i.e. money you should have paid more than 28 days ago, if that is the case until such time as you bring your accounts up to date you can not switch supplier if you are on a credit meter.

lsmi

spiro wrote: »

I presume these are 'debts' i.e. money you should have paid more than 28 days ago, if that is the case until such time as you bring your accounts up to date you can not switch supplier if you are on a credit meter.

I pay a set amount monthly by direct debit, these are the amounts as of today after a direct debit was paid on Monday. Meter readings were given to British Gas at the start of October as they requested.

I have never switched before and I am totally confused.

I guess from what you are saying then I am stuck with British Gas.

Thanks

spiro

lsmi wrote: »

I pay a set amount monthly by direct debit, these are the amounts as of today after a direct debit was paid on Monday. Meter readings were given to British Gas at the start of October as they requested.

I have never switched before and I am totally confused.

I guess from what you are saying then I am stuck with British Gas.

Thanks

If you pay by monthly DD (dont get quarterly bill) then they can not object on the basis that you DD account is in debit becasue 'debit' is not a 'debt'. A debt is defined as a demand for payment that remains unpaid after 28 days.

lsmi

I have just rung British Gas and have been told that until this amounts have been paid then they will continue to object to me switching and the switch will not take place.

pooch

So when did they first demand these payments?

lsmi

pooch wrote: »

So when did they first demand these payments?

I had letters today saying the objected to the switch.

When I spoke to them a few minutes ago they said these amounts would need to be cleared before they would allow the switch to take place.

pooch

So was that the first they said you owed them the money?

lsmi

pooch wrote: »

So was that the first they said you owed them the money?

Yes it was

pooch

Well as spiro says, that is not a basis to refuse your switch request.

Start your complaint here:
http://www.britishgas.co.uk/complaints

chanz4

op bg wouldnt just object for this, scan the letter up