Confusion about suppliers & debt

MrsLecter

Hi everyone

First post here so let me know if I have put it in the wrong place!

I have been living in my flat for over two years. When I first moved I simply told British Gas that I was moving and they said they would switch my dual-fuel contract over to the new home. I didn't receive any bills for a long time, then I started getting letters addressed to "The Occupier" saying I owed about £800. The dates on these didn't even match up from the date I moved in and when I phoned them, they said to not worry as they'd been sent out automatically and it wasn't an issue.

I switched my electric to another energy supplier (GB Energy but I think they're now through the Co-op), kept the gas with British Gas though and was paying GB Energy by direct debit.

Now, about a year ago, the wheels fell off. My mental health got a lot worse (long story) and things slipped, massively. I didn't open my mail, I didn't earn money as I couldn't leave the house etc. I'm now trying to get things back on track but I have no idea what the frick is going on with my energy bills.

I haven't received one bill from British Gas in the past year, GB Energy are saying I owe £450 but I don't know why since it was a direct debit, and it's all very confusing.

What I want to do is switch to a new supplier (a cheaper one) and get dual-fuel so I'm just paying ONE provider. I know I need to contact British Gas and GB Energy and get firm with them to ask for a final settlement bill etc, but I wasn't sure what to do first: do I arrange an energy switch, then contact my existing suppliers? Or would it be best if I didn't switch at all if I'm already in debt with them?

I would appreciate any advice. Thank you.

FestiveJoy

MrsLecter wrote: »

Hi everyone

First post here so let me know if I have put it in the wrong place!

I have been living in my flat for over two years. When I first moved I simply told British Gas that I was moving and they said they would switch my dual-fuel contract over to the new home. I didn't receive any bills for a long time, then I started getting letters addressed to "The Occupier" saying I owed about £800. The dates on these didn't even match up from the date I moved in and when I phoned them, they said to not worry as they'd been sent out automatically and it wasn't an issue.

I switched my electric to another energy supplier (GB Energy but I think they're now through the Co-op), kept the gas with British Gas though and was paying GB Energy by direct debit.

Now, about a year ago, the wheels fell off. My mental health got a lot worse (long story) and things slipped, massively. I didn't open my mail, I didn't earn money as I couldn't leave the house etc. I'm now trying to get things back on track but I have no idea what the frick is going on with my energy bills.

I haven't received one bill from British Gas in the past year, GB Energy are saying I owe £450 but I don't know why since it was a direct debit, and it's all very confusing.

What I want to do is switch to a new supplier (a cheaper one) and get dual-fuel so I'm just paying ONE provider. I know I need to contact British Gas and GB Energy and get firm with them to ask for a final settlement bill etc, but I wasn't sure what to do first: do I arrange an energy switch, then contact my existing suppliers? Or would it be best if I didn't switch at all if I'm already in debt with them?

I would appreciate any advice. Thank you.

There's a lot here that does not make any sense. I wonder if you could clarify.

You moved into your flat 2 years ago and you got some bills addressed to 'The Occupier ' for about £800. Who sent you these?

Presumably British Gas, as that is who you called?
They said it was an error. It certainly was, so I think we'll put that down to a red herring.

Now you have a bill from GB Energy for £450. You've not mentioned anything about them. How did they get your name??? You say you don't understand as you are paying by DD. Who do you pay your DD to???

Now you say you want a single fuel supplier. Don't you already have a single fuel supplier?
Or are you saying BG supplies one f8uel and GB supplies the other at present?????
Having joined MoneySavingExpert, why are you not interested in saving money???

I think we all know why you have joined MSE, and we all know what you are attempting to achieve here.

Enjoy the Festive Season - it'll be all over soon now

:xmastree::xmastree::xmastree:

MrsLecter

British Gas sent me those "to the occupier" letters for the £800 but the date didn't match up with the date I moved in. I was with British Gas in my last flat and simply switched the address with them so I thought it would all be straightforward but they haven't been sending me bills at all for the past year or so.

With regards to GB Energy, I wanted my electricity to be cheaper so I switched my electricity to them and paid them by direct debit which was all going well or so I thought, except I now have this £450 bill even though they were being paid monthly.

What I mean is that I just want one supplier on a dual fuel tariff, in order to simplify things.

I'm just asking whether it's best to stay with my existing two suppliers and resolve the outstanding payments with them, or whether it's best to switch to a new supplier on a dual fuel tariff so my ongoing supply is separate from any debts I'm paying off with British Gas and GB Energy.

Sorry if it doesn't make sense but yes, I do ultimately want to save money!

JJ_Egan

New property you where in a deemed contract with the existing supplier .Did you contact them did you take meter readings .
You say.
<When I first moved I simply told British Gas that I was moving and they said they would switch my dual-fuel contract over >
A long time later you receive £800 bill < at that time what was the amount of your DD and did you have meter readings .
Who initiated this move to GB Energy and how much did you owe BG at the time of the switch .
Really you need to visit Citizens Advice and speak to someone that deals with debt .

MrsLecter

Thank you - I'm actually with Stepchange so I will ask them about it when I speak to them today

FestiveJoy

MrsLecter wrote: »

British Gas sent me those "to the occupier" letters for the £800 but the date didn't match up with the date I moved in. I was with British Gas in my last flat and simply switched the address with them so I thought it would all be straightforward but they haven't been sending me bills at all for the past year or so.

With regards to GB Energy, I wanted my electricity to be cheaper so I switched my electricity to them and paid them by direct debit which was all going well or so I thought, except I now have this £450 bill even though they were being paid monthly.

What I mean is that I just want one supplier on a dual fuel tariff, in order to simplify things.

I'm just asking whether it's best to stay with my existing two suppliers and resolve the outstanding payments with them, or whether it's best to switch to a new supplier on a dual fuel tariff so my ongoing supply is separate from any debts I'm paying off with British Gas and GB Energy.

Sorry if it doesn't make sense but yes, I do ultimately want to save money!

So you've been in your flat for 2 years.

Electric is supplied by GB Energy and gas is supplied by BG.

You had a bill for £800 from BG, which was put down as an error, and you've not paid anything else for gas since? I don't think you will ever get cheaper than that, unless you find a supplier that will pay you for using their gas.

As for the electric, it is confusing isn't it as to why you have a bill when you have already paid them.
I went to Tesco this morning and filled my shopping trolley up with lots and lots of groceries. I gave the cashier £20 and she said I still owed £86.14 :eek:

How does that work???

Anyway, just call BG and switch your electric back to them, on the same tariff as you have your gas :money:

Goodwill to all during this festive season.

:xmastree::xmastree::xmastree:

System

MrsLecter wrote: »

Thank you - I'm actually with Stepchange so I will ask them about it when I speak to them today

By now, you are probably wishing that you hadn't posted on this forum. Given the time that has elapsed and the complexity of the issue that you now face, you now need to sit down with an adviser. If Stepchange cannot help then I would suggest that you make an appointment to see an energy adviser at Citizens' Advice. They will need you to have all the paperwork to hand and up to date meter readings.Their top priority should be ensure that you are on the best deal for your level of annual consumption whilst previous matters are resolved.

It can be sorted but it may take a little time.

MrsLecter

Yes, I am a little!

It's okay, I've actually been in contact with Stepchange again and the issue isn't quite as great as I had it blown up to be. I definitely panic too much!

Smodlet

I hope you now have your energy conundrum resolved but, if you need any further help, please do not hesitate to come back and ask for it. There are many very knowledgeable people on here who are also very helpful, Hengus, Cardew, FredAndWilma and Footy Guy being right at the top of the list, imvho... And there is also the option to block posters whose comments you find less than useful.

macman

For future reference, you cannot 'move' an existing tariff and supplier to a new property. When you move, you are in a deemed contract with the existing supplier, so once you have registered with them, you can then commence a switch if you wish to.