Free Gas?

Milky_Mocha

I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I've just moved into a new home, well, moved in about 3 weeks ago and I can't give meter readings for my gas. The previous owner bought the house off plan and never registered the gas so for 3 years he's had gas for free. I unfortunately cannot bear that concience and I don't want to be looking over my shoulder so I phoned up British gas to register. They said that as they were not the previous provider I need to find the previous provider and obtain a reference before switching to them. They've given me a number of possible providers. I know for a fact that its not worth phoning these people up. What should I do? I don't want to tell them that the previous owner never registered as that might put him in trouble.

Ken68

You may need to provide evidence, eventually, that you have made an effort to find the name of your supplier.
In the meantime, set money aside in an interest bearing account.
What happened before you moved in needn't concern you.
If no provider can be found, at least you have the interest on the money to enjoy. Record this thread to your computer as further proof that you are looking into things.

Milky_Mocha

Thank you. To gather evidence I have emailed British Gas with the same enquiry as what I placed on the phone. They have provided the same response, this time via email. I will find the other providers' email addresses and enquire from them too even though I know they don't have details. After checking two more I will let it rest and put the money aside as suggested.

Ken68

This thread has useful numbers

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=38755

Snow_Dog

If you have a digital camera, take a photo of the meter clearly showing the meter reading, print it out along with something like,

"I have witnessed that the meter for xxx so and so road on this date was xxxxxx"
and get one of your neighbours to sign, address and date it.

This way you've got as much proof as you can get with minimal effort that the meter reading you give was accurate on a set date.

Dont worry too much about already being in there 3 weeks because they can estimate usage based on a typical three weeks post the reading.

tripled

You need to call Transco with your meter serial number. They should confirm you as a shipperless site.

If want want to register with BG you need to speak to the customer escalation (old front line support) team.

Daisies

And I wouldn't worry about the previous owner. It was his/her responsibility to register so it's his/her problem if they end up having to pay for 3 years worth of gas. If they were sensible/responsible they'd have:
a) registered in the first place
b) saved up some money each month for when they did have to pay the bill.