Don't use gas - now getting standing charge

Vegoutside

I have a gas meter in my house which has never been used because I don't have any gas appliances. I have lived here for over 11 years and my gas bill has always been zero (because I don't use gas) until this week when suddenly British Gas informed me that I owe them £39.78 - the standing charge for this quarter. This was the first I'd heard about this new charge. It is for the 'pleasure' of just happening to have a gas meter in my house. I have requested that the gas meter be removed (which will cost British Gas some money) and am contesting the bill. Anyone else had same experience? Anyone actually succeeded in getting British Gas to withdraw the bill?

dogshome

It was Ofgem, the regulator, who decreed that No Standing Charge tariffs should cease, ( which meant that if you didn't use any gas you didn't pay any Service charge ), and all tariffs should should include a Daily Standing Charge to cover the service charge.

Really bad news for someone like yourself, BUT, Ofgem have been inundated with complaints from people who use Zero gas, yet are now faced with Service Charges for a service they don't use.

It's all a bit up in the air at the moment, but Ofgem have issued a guideline, (NOTE this is not a rule ), that users with a gas meter who do not actually consume gas should not be expected to pay a Standing Charge for haveing a gas meter - Write to BG heading the letter Complaint asking why they are ignoring the Ofgem guideline4

silverwhistle

Ebico have a standing charge of zero, which may potentially avoid your problem.

GingerBob_3

And don't forget, if BG think you should pay it, and you don't pay it, they'll screw you over at the credit reference agencies.

macman

Since gas is a third of the price of electricity, maybe you should get some gas appliances?

lukieboy96

Last month my gas useage was £6.04 and the standing charge was more!!!

chanz4

dogshome wrote: »

It was Ofgem, the regulator, who decreed that No Standing Charge tariffs should cease, ( which meant that if you didn't use any gas you didn't pay any Service charge ), and all tariffs should should include a Daily Standing Charge to cover the service charge.

Really bad news for someone like yourself, BUT, Ofgem have been inundated with complaints from people who use Zero gas, yet are now faced with Service Charges for a service they don't use.

It's all a bit up in the air at the moment, but Ofgem have issued a guideline, (NOTE this is not a rule ), that users with a gas meter who do not actually consume gas should not be expected to pay a Standing Charge for haveing a gas meter - Write to BG heading the letter Complaint asking why they are ignoring the Ofgem guideline4

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/86192/requestforinformation-standingchargeforgascustomerswithzeroconsumption.pdf

It doesnt actualy say that shouldnt charge, also as the supplier rents the meter cant see ofgem forcing them.

wavelets

Vegoutside wrote: »

I have a gas meter in my house which has never been used because I don't have any gas appliances. I have lived here for over 11 years and my gas bill has always been zero (because I don't use gas) until this week when suddenly British Gas informed me that I owe them £39.78 - the standing charge for this quarter. This was the first I'd heard about this new charge. It is for the 'pleasure' of just happening to have a gas meter in my house. I have requested that the gas meter be removed (which will cost British Gas some money) and am contesting the bill. Anyone else had same experience? Anyone actually succeeded in getting British Gas to withdraw the bill?

Why would the supplier withdraw a bill correctly issued?

Standing charges have nothing to do with consumption levels; they are applied to everyone that has a supply.

British Gas wrote to all it's customers a long time ago about the introduction of a standing charge (ilo the 2 tier pricing tariff they had earlier)

That was the time to consult a comparison site ... but better late than never as they say