Payment plans on British Gas

student_preston

I have been left a huge Gas and electric bill by my old housemates as the bills were in my name and they did a moonlit runner. I rang British Gas to give a final reading and they wanted more than one months salary from me, I asked do they offer a payment plan (I work for a mobile phone company part-time and we do). To which, they answered NO and said I'd have to pay both bills in full. Surely this can't be true, does anyone have advice for me as I want to pay them back but can't do it in one go and do not want any bad marks on my credit file.

Thanks

BBB

Yes, you can pay in 3 equal payments or you can wait for it to go to central recoveries and then you should be able to sort it with them. Should take 28 days.

Hope that helps.

anniecave

Is there any way of tracing your previous housemates? I would think they should be paying their share of this. And if you can't afford to pay whatever amount, British Gas should be reasonable about it. I would complain to Energywatch if they don't agree to a reasonable payment plan.

student_preston

Thanks, unfortunately I can't trace them as they were international which means they've !!!!!!ed off to China for summer. I asked the university if they could inform me of the mailing address for next year but due to Data Protection they wouldn't give me the address. At least I know I can British Gas off in 3 installments which has put my mind at rest.

tripled

You need to call debt collections once you have received your final bill, they are the only ones that can arrange installments for you. The number should be on your bill under "If you are having difficulty paying..."

student_preston

Thanks for the advice. Just glad I'll be able to sort everything out, lodged a small claims against the one staying in the Uk so hopefully I'll get something back over time. One thing I have learnt is NEVER EVER get bills in my name again.