Moved house - bill from British Gas

jammycodger

Hi,

I moved house about a month ago and emailed my gas and electricity suppliers to say I was moving and staying with them (they're still the cheapest).

They both replied by email saying that was fine and to send gas and elec readings - it took me a while to get them (due to problems getting access to meters) but I sent them over a week ago and all seems fine.

Until today - I got a bill from British Gas, addressed to "The Occupier" charging £132.02 for a month's use.

Is there anything I can do about this or have British Gas got the right to charge us this? I'd like to know my rights before I call them...

GingerBob_3

Yes, you'll have to pay it. You will have been in a deemed contract with BG, presumably the incumbent supplier, from when you moved in to when the transfer to your current supplier is complete. Obviously check the amount, and most importantly, just pay as "The Occupier" if you can, but failing that, furnish them with minimum details - surname and address only.

SwanJon

AS above - but don't just check the amount - check the redings too.
It sounds like you didn't manage to get a reading when you moved in so you'll need to trust an estimated read for that date.
Is this a final bill? Have you received letters etc from your old/future suppliers to confirm they are taking over this property?

You'll also want to get readings for the day you change from BG to your choice of suppliers - officially you are meant to give them to the supplier taking over and they pass them on, but I'd give to both and keep a note

Daisy1966

I thought that the deemed contract didn't hold up and that you don't have to pay for energy unless you've entered into a contract with that supplier...?

jammycodger

Daisy1966 wrote: »

I thought that the deemed contract didn't hold up and that you don't have to pay for energy unless you've entered into a contract with that supplier...?

Any info on this?

System

Daisy1966 wrote: »

I thought that the deemed contract didn't hold up and that you don't have to pay for energy unless you've entered into a contract with that supplier...?

There has been a lot written about this. The 'bottom-line' is that if an occupier has used energy in a property then a 'deemed contract' exists between the supplier and the user, and the former has a right to request payment for all energy consumed.

Found this quote:

The relevant paragraph in the Utilities Act 2000 states: "Where an electricity supplier supplies electricity to any premises otherwise than in pursuance of a contract, the supplier shall be deemed to have contracted with the occupier (or the owner if the premises are unoccupied) for the supply of electricity as from the time when he began so to supply electricity." The act also allows suppliers to incorporate their own terms and conditions into deemed contracts, including parties' rights and obligations, price, payment terms and so on.

matelodave

Unfortunately you didn't phone the meter reading through to the existing supplier when you moved in so there is a fair chance that you will end up paying for someone else's electricity.

As said above you are in a deemed contact as soon as you turn a light on, in fact as soon as you become responsible for the rent so you really must make sure that the meter readings are phoned through on the day you move or take over the tenancy - not having access to the meters isn't BG's problem, it's yours.

System

A further point. until you resolve matters with the present supplier (BG) they may block you from switching suppliers. you will also be on BG's standard tariff so it is in your best interest to get an accurate bill.