No Gas Supplier, Please Advise...

Mylo0811

My partner and I have just moved into our first home together. It's a rented property, and since move in the agents have told us they can't locate the gas supplier. And it appears whoever was here before hasn't had a gas supplier. And must've been getting free gas for years.

What can I do? I don't want free gas, only to be left with a hefty bill years down the line. But I don't know how to get a supplier now? Any advise?

CashStrapped

1) Locate the meter and take a photo of the meter and the current reading. Record the date it was taken.

2) If there is no evidence as to the existing supplier (old letters etc). Contact your local gas distributor. It is they who keep a record of who is currently supplying the property.

Don't know your distributor? Go to this website, click on your area and ring that distributor.

http://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/gas-distribution-map.html

3) Once they tell you the existing supplier. Contact them to create an account. Give them the meter readings. If they suddenly realise they are owed money, you must make it clear you have just moved in and (I assume) have no forwarding information as to the previous owners/tenant. It is up to you whether you give them the landlords/agents details. It is not job to chase up those who may owe the bill, but you want to ensure they do not start chasing you.

The most important thing is that you take a photo of the meter now. Try to ensure it is time and date stamped.

Mylo0811

CashStrapped wrote: »

1) Locate the meter and take a photo of the meter and the current reading. Record the date it was taken.

2) If there is no evidence as to the existing supplier (old letters etc). Contact your local gas distributor. It is they who keep a record of who is currently supplying the property.

Don't know your distributor? Go to this website, click on your area and ring that distributor.

3) Once they tell you the existing supplier. Contact them to create an account. Give them the meter readings. If they suddenly realise they are owed money, you must make it clear you have just moved in and (I assume) have no forwarding information as to the previous owners/tenant. It is up to you whether you give them the landlords/agents details.

The most important thing is that you take a photo of the meter now. Try to ensure it is time and date stamped.

Thanks for your advice. I took pictures of all the meters the day I moved in, so I have that information.

I have no information about the previous tenants. It looks like it's supplied by the National Grid, so if I contact them, they should know the supplier?

Dotimi

Find out where the first tenant was getting his gas from, then you can figure out how to get a supplier, or simply make Inquiries from naighbours around, they will most definitely no how to get gas supplier that will take care of your gas needs

Mylo0811

Dotimi wrote: »

Find out where the first tenant was getting his gas from, then you can figure out how to get a supplier, or simply make Inquiries from naighbours around, they will most definitely no how to get gas supplier that will take care of your gas needs

I have a gas supply. The central heating and boiler all works fine. I just have no one to pay for it.
Sounds like the last tenant wasn't paying anyone.

CashStrapped

As per above, look at that website for your area. Select the distributor for your area.

As you can see, National Grid is the distributor for area 3 (Midlands and south east and north west). If that is you, then yes, that is your local distributor.

Call them tomorrow and they should have a record of who should be supplying your address.

Keep the picture of the meter to hand as they may ask for the 'mpr' (meter point reference) number. It will be written on the meter somewhere.

Also (this is for later) check what type of meter it is. It will either be a metric or imperial. Metric measures in m3 and imperial in ft3. Just check when you finally get signed up to the supplier, that on the bill the unit for measurement is the same as the meter.

Mylo0811

Well, got home from work today to a letter addressed to the occupier.
A gas bill from N Power! So that's that mystery solved. Thanks for the help though all!

macman

Since you'll have been put on Standard Variable tariff, the first thing to do is switch to the cheapest tariff ASAP-other you will have a full winter on SV (the most expensive).

teddysmum

The letting agent would not know who the previous tenants' supplier was, as the arrangement would have been a private matter between them and that supplier.


All your neighbours' gas and electricity come from the same network, but households choose the company that will bill them.