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Phantom Ecotricity Gas Bill
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eighty_seven
Posts: 2 Newbie
in Energy
Hi All,
First post here, but I've been a lurker in the past and always found people to be really helpful here.
I have been sent a gas bill from Ecotricity for a property I was renting 2 years ago. The property was one of these victorian houses converted into what seemed like a million dwellings. I had the misfortune to be in the basement flat, which just had electricity supplied. For all I know there may have been gas supplied to other flats but definitely not mine (Ecotricity have confirmed that during my tenancy I consumed zero gas).
So now they've slapped me with this charge which I think they're making out as a standing charge. I understand what a standing charge is (like line rental) but there was no gas going into this flat full stop, and if there was god knows where the pipes were. It was a pokey little basement flat (I used to refer to it as 'the dungeon') that had about 2 electric heaters and that's it.
Has anyone any advice on how to dispute this? I'm now receiving overdue notices and damned if I'm going to pay for a service I never had. Ecotricity are useless. They overcharged me for the entire duration of my tenancy and then took an age to refund me.
Thanks all
First post here, but I've been a lurker in the past and always found people to be really helpful here.
I have been sent a gas bill from Ecotricity for a property I was renting 2 years ago. The property was one of these victorian houses converted into what seemed like a million dwellings. I had the misfortune to be in the basement flat, which just had electricity supplied. For all I know there may have been gas supplied to other flats but definitely not mine (Ecotricity have confirmed that during my tenancy I consumed zero gas).
So now they've slapped me with this charge which I think they're making out as a standing charge. I understand what a standing charge is (like line rental) but there was no gas going into this flat full stop, and if there was god knows where the pipes were. It was a pokey little basement flat (I used to refer to it as 'the dungeon') that had about 2 electric heaters and that's it.
Has anyone any advice on how to dispute this? I'm now receiving overdue notices and damned if I'm going to pay for a service I never had. Ecotricity are useless. They overcharged me for the entire duration of my tenancy and then took an age to refund me.
Thanks all
0
Comments
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eighty_seven wrote: »Hi All,
First post here, but I've been a lurker in the past and always found people to be really helpful here.
I have been sent a gas bill from Ecotricity for a property I was renting 2 years ago. The property was one of these victorian houses converted into what seemed like a million dwellings. I had the misfortune to be in the basement flat, which just had electricity supplied. For all I know there may have been gas supplied to other flats but definitely not mine (Ecotricity have confirmed that during my tenancy I consumed zero gas).
So now they've slapped me with this charge which I think they're making out as a standing charge. I understand what a standing charge is (like line rental) but there was no gas going into this flat full stop, and if there was god knows where the pipes were. It was a pokey little basement flat (I used to refer to it as 'the dungeon') that had about 2 electric heaters and that's it.
Has anyone any advice on how to dispute this? I'm now receiving overdue notices and damned if I'm going to pay for a service I never had. Ecotricity are useless. They overcharged me for the entire duration of my tenancy and then took an age to refund me.
Thanks all
Write (an email will be sufficient) to Ecotricity and state the following:
1) You wish to complain that they are billing you for a supposed gas supply from two years ago when you never had a gas supply at that property.
2) Ask them to confirm they will treat this email as a formal complaint and ask them to send you a copy of their complaint procedure.
3) Demand that they either write to confirm they will cease all collection activity regarding this supposed gas account or that they send you a copy of your original gas agreement and/or a bill showing you ever consumed any gas.
Then wait to see what they say.
They may try and argue that you had a "deemed contract". This is a contract that can exist without you ever formally agreeing a contract. It arises when you move into a property with a gas [or electricity] supply . If you then ever use gas then you have entered a "deemed contract". Some utility companies believe that such contracts can exist even if you have never used any gas. However the regulator's view is different. So if you complain it is very, very likely the supplier will settle (on a "goodwill" basis) before you have the chance to take your complaint to the Ombudsman.0 -
Hi @naedanger
Thanks for your prompt reply. I'll do this today0
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