Never paid for gas!

julie777

My son has moved into his first flat and the neighbours in the same converted house told him "don't register for gas because we've been here for years and have never had to pay". Well, not only does he have a conscience but his tenancy agreement states he must contact British Gas. If this has an impact on the other tenants' cushy free ride they will hate him.
Does anyone know how it works please? Do meter readers generally read every meter at the same time or does it depend which company you are with?

[Deleted User]

It works on which company is supplying.. Bg try and read quarterly if they have nt registered for online reads.Others are usually 6 monthly reads.
Sometimes tenants will move into a new place which has prepayment meters which have previously been bypassed by the last tenant.They never have to top up but standing charges will build up over the year. Its far more likely that they have a fiddled meter rather than an unregistered one. It makes it seem less of a crime to admit to that rather than getting the screwdriver out and deliberately wiring it up and wrecking the meter.

Lady321986

It could be many things eg incorrect address listing on national database.

If the supply is with BG he should contact them as per the tenancy agreement and provide his meter serial number and his details and let them do the rest. I'd suggest also calling a complaints team like 08002943124 (complaints number from back of bill) as they are likely to be more knowledgable to deal with this situation from experience.

If he doesn't want to mention the neighbours because of the backlash then don't.

If he doesn't contact BG though he's effectively stealing energy by knowingly doing this and also eventually it can catch up. Of course without any form of attempting to resolve the situation it would mean they can bill him for the period of responsibility once they realise and he wouldn't be entitled to regulated back billing etc and have a big bill at the end of it even after he leaves the property. If it catches up after he leaves and the landlord/lady states his dates it will go the debt collection tracing and ruin his credit before he knows about it for 6 minimum years.

One thing worth thinking about though is the neighbours are one reason energy bills are so expensive and I know I wouldn't take the risk of site visits and possible revenue protection intervention if found out. What seems too good to be true normally is.

Good luck

julie777

I agree. I'd be worried about ending up in prison for theft or fraud.

[Deleted User]

julie777 wrote: »

I agree. I'd be worried about ending up in prison for theft or fraud.

Times have changed. To my extensive knowledge of the privatised energy game the suppliers never prosecute. I ve not seen a prosecution yet even when we caught some cheating scumbag who d frauded at least 16k since 2004 on his gas meter in a 6 bed mansion.
Its a bit like the water industry where they lose a sizable percentage to leakage. They look upon stealing energy as no more than leakage. anyone caught just gets rebilled on a prepay meter, for a new meter, locksmith, warrant if needed. So what does the thief do when confronted with , say , 2k debt on his prepay meter payable back at a max £16 a week...he/she simply carries on bypassing and makes sure not to slip up next time.
In USA energy theft is Grand Larceny, here its OK because the honest will pay for it in higher prices. Only BG actively try to stop it with a proper run RPU and even BG are not that concerned about electric theft. Gas is more important. I ve spoken to Police Officers about this who are amazed its all overlooked by the suppliers. They would prosecute if the supplier asked for it.

GingerBob_3

This is what he should do:


Get his moving in meter reading, or estimate it if he doesn't have it. WRITE to British Gas (do not phone them or email them under any circumstances). In the letter state the meter reading, the meter serial number, date of occupancy, the address and his surname. And NOTHING ELSE. Under no circumstances should he provide BG with other personal data such as Christian name, date of birth, previous address, telephone number and so on. Do not mention the neighbours at all. Get proof of posting (free). When BG reply with an account number, set up a standing order to pay the bill. Do not fill out any data harvesting forms that the may send. Then, if possible look to changing supplier to EDF or SSE. Unlike BG, these two don't report to credit reference agencies, and therefore don't compromise your ability to obtain credit.

GingerBob_3

sacsquacco wrote: »

Times have changed. To my extensive knowledge of the privatised energy game the suppliers never prosecute. I ve not seen a prosecution yet even when we caught some cheating scumbag who d frauded at least 16k since 2004 on his gas meter in a 6 bed mansion.
Its a bit like the water industry where they lose a sizable percentage to leakage. They look upon stealing energy as no more than leakage. anyone caught just gets rebilled on a prepay meter, for a new meter, locksmith, warrant if needed. So what does the thief do when confronted with , say , 2k debt on his prepay meter payable back at a max £16 a week...he/she simply carries on bypassing and makes sure not to slip up next time.
In USA energy theft is Grand Larceny, here its OK because the honest will pay for it in higher prices. Only BG actively try to stop it with a proper run RPU and even BG are not that concerned about electric theft. Gas is more important. I ve spoken to Police Officers about this who are amazed its all overlooked by the suppliers. They would prosecute if the supplier asked for it.

What has this got to do with the subject of the post?

[Deleted User]

OP, gingerbob is a well known paranoid on smart meters on here.Its his favourite subject for advice, now it seems his mistrust extends to all suppliers on normal meters. Whats wrong with providing christian name and date of birth to a supplier who you will be getting hundreds of pounds worth of credit ?
Personally I take every chance possible in having a rant about energy theft in the hope that maybe a newspaper or an M.P. can see whats happening in the UK and how lax and hopeless the suppliers are at stopping theft..but smart meters will help.

julie777

GingerBob wrote: »

This is what he should do:


Get his moving in meter reading, or estimate it if he doesn't have it. WRITE to British Gas (do not phone them or email them under any circumstances). In the letter state the meter reading, the meter serial number, date of occupancy, the address and his surname. And NOTHING ELSE. Under no circumstances should he provide BG with other personal data such as Christian name, date of birth, previous address, telephone number and so on. Do not mention the neighbours at all. Get proof of posting (free). When BG reply with an account number, set up a standing order to pay the bill. Do not fill out any data harvesting forms that the may send. Then, if possible look to changing supplier to EDF or SSE. Unlike BG, these two don't report to credit reference agencies, and therefore don't compromise your ability to obtain credit.

IT SEEMS TO BE UNCLEAR WHICH METER BELONGS TO HIS FLAT.
What would you advise? An educated guess could be risky - what if he gets the wrong one? I thought he should ask BG for the serial number.

Lady321986

To establish which is his meter he'll need to complete a 'test and burn'. This involves switching off all gas appliances and going to all the meters which are possiby his and write down the meter readings. Then go back and switch on all the gas apliances for about an hour. Once you've done this go back to the meters and write down all the readings again. Your meter is the one that has moved, to be sure it can be repeated but once normally is enough.

[Deleted User]

Lady321986 wrote: »

To establish which is his meter he'll need to complete a 'test and burn'. This involves switching off all gas appliances and going to all the meters which are possiby his and write down the meter readings. Then go back and switch on all the gas apliances for about an hour. Once you've done this go back to the meters and write down all the readings again. Your meter is the one that has moved, to be sure it can be repeated but once normally is enough.

Or even , simpler and just as effective, the kettle (or iron ) test.observe the suspect meter, see the flashes on the red light or the speed the rotating ring is spinning.switch kettle on, flashes should really speed up a lot and slow right down the second the kettle/iron has switched off. a mate on the mobile helps with this.