Massive direct debit

Jamie1505

Hi all,
I'm a customer with Utility warehouse and my bill was always pretty low (approx £30/month) as I had an effectively non-functioning boiler for the past few years.
Finally got the boiler fixed a few months ago and had a recent meter reading and Lo and behold my last direct debit was £465. Can't really afford to pay that in one chunk and well...eat. Any advice that can be offered would be gratefully received.

matelodave

You should check your bills against meter readings and get them corrected. Better still read your meter every month and work out whether your direct debit is covering your consumption and get it adjusted. That way you won't get surprise bills.

Get onto UW and ask them if they can spread the DD over a longer period. In the end it's up to you to take charge of your bills and consumption.

G_M

Assuming the bill is based on an actualreading, not estimated (???) then you clearly have used more gas than you expected, and owe this money.

It has to be paid. Whether you pay all at once, monthly, quarterly, or by some other arrangement is up to you to discuss with the supplier.

You will also need to monitor/reduce your usage if you want to reduce future bills.

Cardew

Unlike most Utility companies payment DD schemes,I thought with UW you gave meter readings each month and paid in full by Direct Debit?

If that is still the case it would appear that you have been paying by DD based on(under-estimated meter readings, and this is a one off 'catch up' bill. i.e you won't be asked to pay another £465 next month.