moved into new property

strongboes

Hello,

I'm hoping someone can help me.

I recently moved into a rented house, the house was built perhaps 3/5 years ago i'm not sure and was neither sold or let. It basically remained on the developers books, and as a company own it, it was part of a general business tariff for the Gas and Electricity supplied to it.

So I move in 2 months ago and sign up with Flow energy, and am now with them for both fuels. In the meantime British Gas were given my details by the letting agent and I was put onto a deemed rate business tariff.

Firstly I am not a business, I'm just a private individual. Secondly the deemed rate is double what any reasonable normal domestic tariff is.

Do I have to pay this rate, for the fuel used until the switch was done, it amounts to around £400 and should be approx £200.

They advised me very rudely that if I signed up to a domestic tariff with them that they could charge me a normal rate, but I'm already switched and I cant stand BG so would never use them anyway.

I've looked at the ofgem site but cant find much to help this scenario, except for the fact that i'm clearly not a business and BG did no due diligence at all.

The phone calls I've had with them have not been productive.

Thanks.

CashStrapped

Just to clarify a few points.

You have already signed up to flow energy with both fuels? Correct? Have they started to bill you?

Why then are British Gas asking you to become customers on a deemed contract? Have you told them you have switched to flow?

So you have two suppliers and are being billed twice?

Is this a residential conversion from former commercial premises?

Do you have your own meter for electric and/or gas?

Thanks

strongboes

Just to clarify a few points.

You have already signed up to flow energy with both fuels? Correct? Have they started to bill you?

I have not received a bill yet, I am switched to them


Why then are British Gas asking you to become customers on a deemed contract? Have you told them you have switched to flow?


From the time I moved in, to the time I completed the switch to flow I was put onto a deemed rate business tariff.




Is this a residential conversion from former commercial premises?


No, the house was built in a development of around 150 houses, most sold, the developer rents out a good number, 30-40. This particular house I am the first tenant. It was built over 3 years ago. The heating and electricity usage (very minimal I assume since built) is paid for by the developer.

Do you have your own meter for electric and/or gas?

Yes of course it is a normal residential property.



Many thanks.

macman

When you moved in, who was the existing supplier? From day one you were in a deemed contract with them, so you cannot switch until you register for an account with them.
The EA had no authority to otherwise switch you and this could be deemed as an erroneous transfer. BG don't have to do 'due diligence'. If the meter is registered as a business tariff then you will automatically be put on that unless you offer proof that the property is residential-such as a Council Tax bill.

CashStrapped

As macman says above you are on a deemed contract with british gas.

You may have jumped the gun if you initiated a switch before signing up with British Gas.

So you need to check the status of the switch and may need to start the process again.

If you are lucky, if you set up the account with British Gas in time, it may still go through.

In the mean time, you could switch to a cheaper British gas tariff for the short time you are with them. Just ensure there are no fees for switching away.

Ensure you keep good records of your meter readings. Always take a photo so you have a record.

[Deleted User]

The property was supplied by BG on a business contract. Its a separate arm from BG known as BGB and they are the people you should deal with. You may have to furnish proof that you are not now a business by furnishing your council tax records. Even if the house was nt on a business tariff you can t just move in and select who you fancy, as macman says , you are on a deemed contract with the existing supplier and now you should jump through a few hoops and transfer from business to domestic status properly. Once you have got the correct forms from BGB and satisfied them you are now a domestic property you will be able to join BG then start a process to pick who you like.

strongboes

So when you move into a new property as a private person, the first thing you need to do is call the supplier and check you're not on a business tariff. It's a residential house. Why would one suspect that it would be on a business tariff, and why should one pay a business rate if you are not a business. Sounds completely ludicrous to me.

wavelets

strongboes wrote: »

So when you move into a new property as a private person, the first thing you need to do is call the supplier and check you're not on a business tariff. It's a residential house. Why would one suspect that it would be on a business tariff, and why should one pay a business rate if you are not a business. Sounds completely ludicrous to me.

The first thing you certainly should do is contact the existing supplier to the premesis and set up a contract with them

[Deleted User]

strongboes wrote: »

So when you move into a new property as a private person, the first thing you need to do is call the supplier and check you're not on a business tariff. It's a residential house. Why would one suspect that it would be on a business tariff, and why should one pay a business rate if you are not a business. Sounds completely ludicrous to me.

Many private houses have elected to go on a business tariff. The properties are incorporated as part of the business, so can include all bills and expenses. I suspect it is a way of lowering their tax. I see it often enough. G4S, who I work for, run many thousands of properties as asylum seekers homes on behalf of the Home Office (tax payer )and they are classed as businesses.