British Gas charging me for old capped meter.

Jenny001

sacsquacco wrote: »

Bit of an odd ruling, so the canny fiddler could easily remove the cap, turn control valve on and back comes a free gas supply, . I often get refused access by people who have have a gas meter but don`t use gas, from inspecting the meter ( if there is one ). It leads to a lot of customers complaining.

I would have a job seeing as I have no gas appliances. The original Gas fire was taken out years ago by previous tenants and we have an electric fire, electric storage heaters, electric cooker and electric water heater so turning the gas back on would be useless to me:p

I have never had a Gas meter reader come to the door but they are very welcome to come and have a look. To insinuate that I'm a fiddler is highly insulting.

Jenny001

molerat wrote: »

Tell them to go do one then as you have never entered a deemed contract, as you did with the electric, because you have not used the service. Tell them they can do what they want with their meter but it has nothing to do with you.

Thank you!! I have done in no uncertain terms. I have refused to pay and told them if they want to take it out then they can but I am not paying for something that has nothing to do with me.:T

[Deleted User]

Jenny001 wrote: »

I would have a job seeing as I have no gas appliances. The original Gas fire was taken out years ago by previous tenants and we have an electric fire, electric storage heaters, electric cooker and electric water heater so turning the gas back on would be useless to me:p

I have never had a Gas meter reader come to the door but they are very welcome to come and have a look. To insinuate that I'm a fiddler is highly insulting.

Dont be riduculous Jenny, who was insinuating anything regarding your case, I made my comment about capped meters in general, nothing to do with your case whatsoever.

[Deleted User]

Jenny001 wrote: »

Thank you!! I have done in no uncertain terms. I have refused to pay and told them if they want to take it out then they can but I am not paying for something that has nothing to do with me.:T

Absolutely completely childish acting like that. Whatever Molerat says, there is a functioning gas supply to the property and it would be pointless not to admit a meter reader for 20 seconds once in a blue moon to verify the status quo. the supplier ( and National Grid )would still have legal access to the supply regardless of any standing charge billing rule. Dont take any notice of Molerats ignorant advice to tell supplier/meter readers to "go and do one "
I had a house in Goole I had been trying to access for a year or so (it was vacant ) and when I did get in with the builders in to refurbish, I found the meter had been stolen. No cap was in place. A turn of the control valve revealed gas flowing out unchecked. I havent got in since and it probably is in the same dangerous condition.

molerat

Get off your high horse.

BG have no legal justification for billing the op. Nowhere have I suggested they refuse access to any authorised person just that they inform BG in no uncertain terms that they are not paying for their unused and unwanted service that neither party have entered into a contract for.

[Deleted User]

molerat wrote: »

Get off your high horse.

BG have no legal justification for billing the op. Nowhere have I suggested they refuse access to any authorised person just that they inform BG in no uncertain terms that they are not paying for their unused and unwanted service that neither party have entered into a contract for.

Its not good advice to anyone to deal with hard working call centre staff "in no uncertain terms " or telling them to "go and do one " Remain polite and civil at all times. No point in ranting

Mr-Chris_2

ring them with a meter reading (proof you have not used any ) then ask then to take it out.... if you didn't agree a contract with them, then they may have put the occupier(you) on a deemed contract. I had this issue with N-Power. said I owed them £381 when I had used nothing.. after months of phone calls, letters and threats of legal action by myself they have zero'd my account be firm but stay in control..

dktreesea

molerat wrote: »

OFGEM think differently, OP has never used the gas which has been capped before they took over the property so no deemed contract and no bill to pay. It would be up to the courts to decide and I don't think BG would take it that far, losing would be too painful.

I think that's correct. We have been with Scottish Power for years. The gas was capped when we arrived. As we are unable to use the supply and as the power company were unable to enable that supply (capped by the gas inspectors for safety reasons) they were not able to charge us the standing charge. The gas has to be capable of being used in order for them to charge a standing charge. In our case it wasn't - the chimney flues needed work. Hence a bill every month for zero.

Made_in_Cornwall

I have been in this house for seven years and British gas have been several times to read the capped meter and never charged anything until last month when they are now giving me a standing order charge? Has this just come into effect? I wrote to them and they told me I can have it taken out but they will continue to charge me if it stays.
Have just queried how much it will cost, as I'm rented I will also have to get landlords permission, so if they say no it looks like I'm stuck with paying it

molerat

Yes it is has just come into effect in the last few months. It is a difficult one that only the courts can decide on. If the meter was capped when you took over the property tell them that you have not entered a contract with them, as per OFGEM's view, and as such you are not liable to be billed. The alternative is to switch your gas supply to someone like https://www.ebico.org.uk/ who do not have a standing charge. The biggest problem of having the meter removed is the cost of having gas re installed at a later date which could run into several £K.