Gas meter is being read incorrectly

sophie131

Hiya!

When I first moved into my apartment 6 months ago, I phoned up the gas company and provided my reading. They told me I was incorrect (I was phoning in a reading of around 600 and they were telling me that the bill was paid up to 800). So I double checked I was reading the right meter and phoned back. I was correct. The man told me that the bill had been paid up until 800 so I effectively had free gas until this point, although I have still being paying £50 to them by direct debit.

Today I got a gas bill for 840 units - I checked my meter and it is 680. I also checked my neighbours and theirs is the one that reads 840. So, what do I do? I am concerned that if I wait to tell them (after my 'free' gas is used up) then my neighbour will get a big bill.
If I do phone and tell them, I am worried about what they will say!

Any advice?

Wail

You need to confirm that you are reading the right meter, so please double and triple check that it is your meter.

The first thing you need to do is show proof that it is your meter. Any details such as serial numbers on both meters will help. There is an M number helpline that can help.

Ask your neighbours what their bill is too and who their supplier is?

sophie131

I have checked the serial number on my bill and the serial number on my meter and they match. The one next door is different by one number.


I tried to phone the M number and they don't hold my meter number as the gas company hasn't passed it on to them??!

Wail

Looks good for you to raise this to the supplier. Sadly, you won't get your free gas but it will make it better to pay it now rather than pay it in the future.

sophie131

Wail wrote: »

Looks good for you to raise this to the supplier. Sadly, you won't get your free gas but it will make it better to pay it now rather than pay it in the future.

Thanks for this. How will they know where to calculate my charges so far from?

I did phone them on the day I moved in and told them but I do not have an exact number for what the reading was.

Wail

Most likely they will work out an estimate based on a few months usage. However, I would be careful because the next few months are Winter months and your usage could be virtually nil if you have Gas Central heating.

sophie131

Phoned up gas company today and they have said the only thing I can do is let the bill run up past what the previous occupier paid for. At first the man didn't believe what I was saying but after a chat with his manager, the manager agreed that what I had said was correct.

So free gas for another few months! Feels so much better knowing that it was done honestly and that a note has been placed on the system confirming what the manager has told me.

societys_child

mmm, looks like the previous tenant gave the final reading from the wrong meter?