Being Charged for a Gas meter but dont have Gas?

buzzykye

I have received a letter from my Housing association with a bill enclosed from British Gas.

The letter says I must call British Gas and register my details with them and pay the enclosed bill which is for 1 year standing charge for a gas meter, the letter from British Gas is addressed to the Housing association - housing Association have said they have tried to call British gas but they will not speak with them as they are not the tenant - now for the confusing Part - There is no gas supply to my flat or any of the flats within the block!

One of my neighbours called British Gas and she was told they cannot discuss with her as she is not named on the Bill.

When we moved in 2 years ago (new builds) we were advised that there is no Gas supply to any of the flats electricity only.

So my question is do I have to pay a standing charge for a meter not located within my flat (meters are all in locked cages in the car park) and does not supply me with Gas?

Can anyone advise me what to do as I do not want to call British Gas, give them my details and then be liable for the outstanding charges?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/news/The-ins-and-outs-of-deemed-contracts/804812

You have a deemed contract for energy when you take over a property. The wording in the Utilities Act is ambiguous - it states ....from the time when he began to supply energy.

Energy companies believe to supply is to make a supply available - which you have. OFGEM believes you have to actually consume 1KWh (or more) before the deemed contract applies. It hasn't been tested in law.

Certainly BG are the only energy co that practise any sort of co-ordinated debt collection, hence your letter. In practise, they won't stick to their version of the rulebook, and will usually back off if you respond with a letter stating you haven't entered into a deemed contract.

buzzykye

The letter received is from Housing Association with a bill attached from British Gas addressed to the Housing Association so the contract is with the Housing Association not with me?
Also looking at the Bill it dates back to November 2013 we moved to the building in Feb 2012 (New Build Flats) so in theory the bill should have been charged from then?
Should I write to British Gas or call them up?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

BG care about who is responsible for paying the energy bills. Who that is is determined by your agreement with the HA.

What does it say in your contract with the HA? Who pays the elec bills?

buzzykye

I Pay for my Electricity but no one pays for Gas as there is no Gas - so why am I expected to pay a standing charge for a meter that is not in use?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Then this is your responsibility.

BG want you to pay as there is a gas supply available, and they are the supplier. It's clearly detailed in the link I sent.

You should write to BG, (don't bother calling, waste of time) stating that you haven't entered a deemed contract as you haven't used any energy. If they wish to pursue it, they have legal recourse to do so.

You could also switch the meter over to someone that doesn't charge a standing charge, I believe ebico are the only company that do this these days.

buzzykye

Thanks Bluebirdman of Alcathays - I will write to them and update with their reply.

ihateyes

so the housing association who own the new flats had them built, and had meters installed, but then never fitted the flats out with Gas?

i would check your tenancy agreement? the wording? were you advised of a meter being there when you moved in?

i would pass it back to the responsibility of the Housing association to pay.

recently the council installed a boiler. however the meter was installed 3mths before gas was piped into my house.

the council took care of the bill for standing charge

buzzykye

Hi ihateyes - Yes that is exactly correct!

We were advised when viewing the property that there was no gas in the building - which I was a bit annoyed as I had a gas cooker - not really relevant but obviously had to change it for Electric!

I will check my tenancy agreement but I am quite sure there is nothing in there regarding gas meters.

Do you think I should contact British Gas?

st999

If you don't have a gas supply in your flat I would tell BG to come and remove their imaginary meter.

dogshome

Hmmm - It seems that the HA did exactly the right thing when specifying the build spec. on the block of flats, by having Gas for heating which is the best for heating and the tenants energy costs - But then some accountant looked at the installation and maintenance costs of Boilers & Rad systems in each flat, and decided it would be cheaper for the HA to go all electric

But it's all gone t*ts up - When the old NSC tariffs were available, because no flat dweller was useing any gas, there were no costs for haveing gas in the building, BUT, now Ofgem have barred NSC tariffs and insist on a Daily Standing Charge, there is a daily debt accrueing.

I suggest the the OP arranges a meet with the other tenants, with the purpose of issueing a joint letter to the HA rejecting the gas billing as it is entirely the HA's responsibility

The whole point is that the tenants have no Meter, no pipework for gas to their individual flats and therefore cannot be on a deemed contact with any supplier