Gas on Estate But Not In Property.

dont.ask.dont.get

My sister has decided to move from Economy 7 heating to gas central heating.
The gas board came today to fit a meter but said they couldn't because there was no evidence of gas at property.
She lives on a private estate, where gas is used by many owners, although her property has never had any gas, there is a pipe in her gas cupboard, but he wouldn't connect as he says she needs to contact Southern Gas Networks, who said it could cost £800 to connect, if there is a pipe into the property and gas mains have been laid in the area, surely it wouldn't cost that much.
The person putting the CH in will put pipework in property so it seems crazy to quote that charge.
Any ideas anyone?

Ich_2

Just because there is a pipe there does not mean it is connected to a gas main.
Nor does it mean that it is safe to connect to a gas main.

the guy visiting has just made a guess based on his knowledge, but without connecting the Gas Distributor no one will ever know

chanz4

They are right only southern can, however who arranged the meter . Who came to fit the meter, as this would indicate an mpr which may just be dead although the fee is payable

lemontart

The supplier who was contacted to fit meter should have asked for a live or dead check to be carried out first by southern gas networks rather than just come out, But however that aside here is a link to enquire about having gas supplied to the property,

https://www.sgn.co.uk/Connections/Before-you-start/Domestic-Connection/

https://www.sgn.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Marketing/Content/SGN-Documents/Connections/Connections-Service-Charges/SGN-Southern-Connections-Service-Charges-May-2013.pdf

You are looking at minimum of £750 dependent on location and naturally there are many other factors involved

dont.ask.dont.get

My sister asked them to come out, she has electricity with BG so thought that they would be the ones to call.
She was under the impression that houses were built with a gas supply (obviously not in a remote area). This in an estate in London, built abound early 1980, so wouldn't all the necessary pipe work be done ready for connection. As I said other properties have gas and I am sure that they would not have paid that sort of money.

sheffield_lad

Get a dead or alive test organised it should be free

lemontart

The gas is probably not turned on in street and if the pipework not used it is classed as dead as it is not maintained. Unfortunately having gas pipework updated to meet current standards if dead pipe there is not free.

dont.ask.dont.get

Thought I would just write a follow up on this; A guy came out yesterday and confirmed that the pipework was dead, however he did say that there had originally been a gas supply to the property, as the pipe has been cut, he confirmed that this is usually done when a past customer defaults on a bill, which must have been at least seven years ago, as she has lived there at least that long.
It looks like she will have to pay at least £500 to get it connected again, I find this totally unfair, as it looks to me as though it is their way of recouping bad debts. Has anyone else heard of this?

chanz4

wont of been for debt, they just take the meters. Either abandoned supply or theft is the only reason

dont.ask.dont.get

Just wondered if you have to have Southern to fit pipe or can any Gas Safe fitter do it ready for meter to be fitted. Her brother in law is fitting the central heating wonder if he could do it.

lemontart

The charges for new pipe work to the property is nothing at all to do with the debt owed to a gas supplier as the company that owns the pipe in the street is NOT the gas supplier.

These charges incoporate the costs of engineers that dig road, different engineers that are suitably qualified to install such pipes, the cost of the vehicles used to transport men and equipment, the cost of the licenses issued by councils to permit them to dig, the costs of the office staff, computers etc to process such and get maps produced detailing all other underground services from bt, local water company etc, the public liability insurance the company has to carry, - and much more beside.