British Gas - Do I have to pay?

jillp83

I recently moved house where the current supplier is British Gas. I have already arranged switching to a different supplier but British Gas has already sent a first bill totalling £176.71 for a 25 day period. It says it's based on their standard tariff.
This price is a good two thirds more than our previous monthly bill at our old house and the projected cost with our new supplier at this new house is only £80 per month.
So my question is are they really allowed to charge that much? Is there anything I can do to get it reduced? Does anyone have any experience of dealing with them?
TIA x

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Of course.

Did you give BG meter readings when you took ownership/tenancy started at the new property? There is a chance you're paying for some of the previous occupants usage if not.

sinizterguy

You are on a deemed contract. Expensive rates, expensive standing charges.

You need to pay.

In addition,

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Did you give BG meter readings when you took ownership/tenancy started at the new property? There is a chance you're paying for some of the previous occupants usage if not.

System

jillp83 wrote: »

I have already arranged switching to a different supplier but British Gas has already sent a first bill totalling £176.71 for a 25 day period. It says it's based on their standard tariff.
TIA x

As other have said, you are on a Deemed Contract with British Gas. My guess - and it only a guess - that the amount is estimated but you do need to ring British Gas ASAP.

On your second point, your switch will not go through as British Gas will normally block it as the name on the switch will not agree with the name they have on the British Gas account. I say 'normally' as mistakes do occur. Is the British Gas bill annotated FINAL?

tripled

Unless things have changed recently, when on a deemed contract (i.e. you have not registered with them but they supply the property you moved in to) British Gas just charge their standard tariff. Also they do not check names match up before allowing a change of supplier, so you shouldn't need to worry about that.

As mentioned above OP, British Gas will bill you from the date you took responsibility for the property (even if that's before you moved in) to the date the switch goes through. You need to provide British Gas the meter reading from when you moved in, and your new supplier a reading on or just before the switch date (which your new supplier should have notified you of).

If you do not supply these readings, you may well recieve estimated bills which yes you would have to pay.