Help! ex-landlord, early termination, gas leak/bill

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Scholy wrote: »

Thanks for your reply and the information.
Looking back on my bills where actual readings were recorded it shows the following
as at 10 March 2015 at 3311 actual reading
as at 8 September 2014 at 3079 actual reading
so 6 months between these 2 dates show a total of 232 units; the average is 39 units used per month.
my final reading on 30 June 2015 is 3889 meaning a total of 578 in 3 months, average of 193 units per month.
This definitely doesn't sound right to me but what do you think based on this information?

Hi Scholy and thanks for posting the readings.

Can you remember if the gas meter was a 4 dial or 5 dial? The readings you've posted have 4 digits but was there a zero before them? This will tell me whether the meter measured the volume of gas used in cubic metres (m3) or in hundred cubic feet (hcf). This affects how it's charged. Check your bills too. Have we charged you in m3 or hcf? Understanding this will help me see if the usage/charges are excessive. If I might explain. Gas is recorded in volume, either m3 or hcf, and then converted into kilowatt hours (kWh). Charges are based on kWh.

The readings certainly follow on albeit with a surge between March and June. Looking at the whole period between 8 September 14 and 30 June 15, the usage is 810 units over 295 days. If you can let me have the above information, I can give you a better explanation.

Sorry if I've strayed into industry jargon Scholy. Look forward to hearing from you.

Malc

PS/ not in now until next Tuesday so don't worry if I don't reply immediately. I'll pick it up when next in.

45002

By Eon

https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/help-and-support/How-to-read-your-meter

Scholy

My bills say it's units used in hcf 499 converted to 15725 kilowatt hours;

I believe the units they are charging, are for a gas leak and not my usage. My previous use is low and this massive jump must be due to the leak found by National Grid. I've requested a report from them twice and still haven't even had an acknowledgement. If anyone knows how else I can request this to show Eon that the leak was definitely found, please let me know. I really can't afford to pay this massive bill for gas I haven't used.

t0rt0ise

Surely if it's a leak in your house then you have to pay for it. Even I can't see a way out of that and I'm usually the one to see everything the way of the tenant. I'd take them up on their offer to pay by installments if I were you. You can then pay it off slowly.

G_M

t0rt0ise wrote: »

Surely if it's a leak in your house then you have to pay for it. Even I can't see a way out of that and I'm usually the one to see everything the way of the tenant. .

http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm

As a landlord, you are responsible for the safety of your tenants. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with landlords’ duties to make sure gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe.
Appliances, fittings and flues in a communal area but which may be used by tenants are also included. You are responsible for the maintenance and repair of flues,appliances and pipework provided for your tenants use ;by a Gas Safe registered engineer . Although there is no prescribed timeframe for these duties, good practice would be the demonstration of regular, annual maintenance checks and subsequent repairs.

franklee

Do these help?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2575771
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3501769

Scholy

Thanks for all your helpful insights. I have already made an arrangement to pay off the gas bill with Eon, so I'll keep paying this. I was hoping it was my landlords liability due to not doing a gas safety check and making sure pipes etc were not leaking.
With regards to my landlady, I haven't heard from her regarding legal action yet.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Scholy wrote: »

My bills say it's units used in hcf 499 converted to 15725 kilowatt hours;

I believe the units they are charging, are for a gas leak and not my usage. My previous use is low and this massive jump must be due to the leak found by National Grid. I've requested a report from them twice and still haven't even had an acknowledgement. If anyone knows how else I can request this to show Eon that the leak was definitely found, please let me know. I really can't afford to pay this massive bill for gas I haven't used.

Scholy wrote: »

Thanks for all your helpful insights. I have already made an arrangement to pay off the gas bill with Eon, so I'll keep paying this. I was hoping it was my landlords liability due to not doing a gas safety check and making sure pipes etc were not leaking.
With regards to my landlady, I haven't heard from her regarding legal action yet.

Hi Scholy

That's certainly a lot of gas for the type of property described. To be honest, if this amount of gas was mainly down to a leak, the smell would've been very noticeable and extremely dangerous. Typically, gas leaks only release a small amount of gas. For something on this scale, I would've expected National Grid to have treated it as a major incident.

After the engineer made the property safe, did they explain if any work was necessary on appliances or pipework within the flat? If it was, they most probably would've advised of the need for a visit from a registered Gas Safe engineer. They may, though, have had this conversation with the Landlady.

It would be interesting to see if the Landlady has arranged for any repairs inside the flat. It would also be good to know the ongoing gas usage so we can see if the sudden surge you experienced is continuing. Totally understand, you're not on the best of terms at the moment so probably not a good idea to ask her.

Gas leaks on pipework leading up to meters don't register on the meter so isn't charged to customers. Any leaks from pipework or appliances after the meter, though, will register and are the responsibility of the customer.

Sorry I'm speculating a lot here Scholy but glad you've made an arrangement with us.

Malc

Scholy

Thanks Malc, National Grid did not converse with me, you are right they spoke to the landlady. She has subsequently had a whole new central heating system put in, new boiler, pipes, the works....I'm assuming, maybe wrongly that there was major damage or this would not have been needed.

AdrianC

I'd agree that a leak large enough to lose four times the amount of gas you typically used would have been very obvious. I suspect that large a leak would have shown itself by rendering your flat a smouldering ruin, tbh, even if you hadn't noticed the smell.

I strongly suspect that the 3389/3889 confusion is the most likely cause.