British Gas, landlord/owner and estate agents can't tell us where electric meter is

climbintheladderouttadebt

Hi,

Merry Christmas to all! My husband has been dealing with British Gas for our dual fuel since May last year when we moved into a rented flat. Located above shops, he sorted problems with our gas meter (which we struggled to access for various reasons) but never got to the bottom of the location of our electric meter.

We asked BG to do a meter reading in the end, only for them to admit they don't know where it is! We have vacated the property, and received an estimated electric bill. Am going to look over past bills this evening, as unsure if we can confirm if we've ever had it read by BG. My question is, can the supplier just demand we pay an estimated bill or must they have been able to read the meter at some point?

As we were resident in the property for 18 months we are unsure if it has had its regular checks, we had to fight to have the gas boiler checked and fixed when it was broken.

Many thanks! :beer:

[Deleted User]

I'd be inclined to speak to Ofgem, if they can't find the meter they haven't really got any past readings to estimate from. If it has to be an estimate, haggle hard!

G_M

I would not accept, or pay for, an estimated reading for a final bill.

And if they have never read the meter (cos they admit to not knowing where it is), then their estimate is based on.... what? No. Refuse to pay.

Seems likely that the meter is in the shop below - but I'm guessing you've investigated that possibility? Another possibility is that the flat runs off the same meter as the shop, and they have been paying for your usage. Lucky you!

What response did you get to your letter to the landlord 18 months ago asking where the meter is? You did write and ask, didn't you.......?

edit: I see you have 'past bills' to look at. How come? When you took on the electricity account, you must have provided an 'opening reading' (else how could you have got bills?). Or the landlord/agent must have. So someone looked at the meter......
As for the 'checks', there are no requirements for annual electric checks - only gas.

[Deleted User]

Why is it up to British Gas to find your meter ?, they are only required to read the meter once in two years. Its your responsibilty to send in your name and start reading to the supplier when you move in. If you have exhausted the usual spots for the electric meter, in the shop alongside the shops business meter, or a meter cupboard, or maybe the supply is shared with the shop. I once had a struggle to find the electric meter and it was up behind a ceiling tile in the hall of the shop so have a look for large ceiling tiles which look moveable. I ve seen many meters up there above the ceiling. Also its possible where the previous occupier has done a meter removal job and bypassed the meter

ValHaller

sacsquacco wrote: »

Why is it up to British Gas to find your meter ?, they are only required to read the meter once in two years. Its your responsibilty to send in your name and start reading to the supplier when you move in. If you have exhausted the usual spots for the electric meter, in the shop alongside the shops business meter, or a meter cupboard, or maybe the supply is shared with the shop. I once had a struggle to find the electric meter and it was up behind a ceiling tile in the hall of the shop so have a look for large ceiling tiles which look moveable. I ve seen many meters up there above the ceiling. Also its possible where the previous occupier has done a meter removal job and bypassed the meter

Perhaps it is all wired legitimately into the shop's metered supply. Which is why I think it is down to BG to prove that there actually is a metered supply before they press this.

[Deleted User]

ValHaller wrote: »

Perhaps it is all wired legitimately into the shop's metered supply. Which is why I think it is down to BG to prove that there actually is a metered supply before they press this.

It could be, but then the tenant would nt have a separate mpan to the shop owners

silverwhistle

Presumably BG can provide you with the meter number, at least?

spiro

OK, you can't find the meter can you find the fuse board? If so track the wires back to the meter. If not what would you or the LL do if a fuse blew?

climbintheladderouttadebt

Hi, thanks for all responses. It was my husband dealing with the bills, and he did not do anything about being unable to find the electric meter. We have vacated the property, we are a 7 hour drive from it now so couldn't return to check it's location. I'm guessing it's not in the property as the bills I have been able to download from the account show G4S have done meter readings (and no-one ever entered the flat as we were always at work).
Annoyingly, our opening bill shows we started on an estimated reading also.
The shop below us was empty the entire time we lived there, with the estate agents sign ripped down so no idea who had keys.
I'm guessing I'll have to just let this go and remember not to leave hubby to sort out the bills anymore. If I'd known all this sooner I'd have followed all advice as above. Thanks all for the time you've taken - IF I ever find us in a similar situation I'll know what to do.

Happy New Year!