Gas meter problem - SERIOUS

malcindebt

Hi,

I'm with Scotish Power for my Gas and Elec.

I've had a letter from SP, they are basically saying that they feel my Gas meter is wrong and that I have been using more gas than has been recorded and so I could be underpaid.

They are sending an engineer to check the meter in the next few weeks.

I fit is found that the meter is faulty, they will send out a revised bill, and also contact my previous supplier to confirm that the meter is faulty.

I'm worried that I'm going to get shafted for an extreemly large bill.

I take my readings every month and have devised a spread sheet so that I can keep a track of the amount of gas I have been using, and what the cost is.

Surely, as I have been making my payments based on the meter, assuming that the readings were correct, I cannot be made to pay for this mistake, can I?

Any aand all help appreciated.

Cardew

Several possibilities.

You have been charged for a metric meter, when you have an Imperial meter.

They might think the meter has been tampered with.

Your meter readings incorrect.

Mechanical fault with meter; other than by tampering.

There are more qualified people than I on this forum, but my understanding is that they can demand retrospective payment for proven underpayment.

The £64,000 question(not literally I hope!) is how much was the underpayment?

How much gas are you using?

malcindebt

Cardew wrote: »

Several possibilities.

You have been charged for a metric meter, when you have an Imperial meter.

They might think the meter has been tampered with.

Your meter readings incorrect.

Mechanical fault with meter; other than by tampering.

There are more qualified people than I on this forum, but my understanding is that they can demand retrospective payment for proven underpayment.

The £64,000 question(not literally I hope!) is how much was the underpayment?

How much gas are you using?

Since the 11th April 2007, I have used £45 (1207Kwh) worth of gas. We have GCH and Hot water run through a an A rated Combi boiler.

kitchen_buff

Ask them if the metre is faulty how can they estimate what the correct amount should be? If they try and shaft you tell them you are going to switch suppliers to southern electric

NovaBlack_2

hmm £45 seems VERY cheap for 6 months of gas!

deanos

NovaBlack wrote: »

hmm £45 seems VERY cheap for 6 months of gas!

Not really we have used about the same, mainly because we have not used the centralheating, just heated water in the mornings.

EDIT: JUst checked my bills and we have used about £29 worth in 6 months.

egamar

£45 in 6 months still seems not a lot especially if you're using a combi boiler in a way - every time you run the hot tap to wash hands, do dishes, operate washing machine, run dishwasher (if connected to hot) etc etc you are using your boiler. We're a 2 person house-hold and pay £60 odds a month over the year (was £80 when prices shot through the roof). If you've got a family, it might well be more. So £45 a month is maybe more realistic, but there are so many many variables .....

In any event, although little comfort, you can always demand the right to pay off the 'new' monthly according to your circumstances. You will have to pay for what you used, but you can do it slowly. There might be rare circumstances in which the supplier might be liable: you'd have to contact the regulator to get that clarified, I guess.

Oh, and make sure they charge you at the most beneficial rate for you - i.e. if prices have just come down, make them use these (this is when you're paying, after all) but if prices 6 months ago were lower, make them use them (that's when you used the gas, after all).

daveyjp

My last quarter gas bill has just arrived - £28. Three household family with gas water heating and gas cooking. Previous quarter was a similar amount. I only have showers, whereas my 18 month old and wife have loads of baths. If they didn't our gas bill would be lower, so £45 for 6 months isn't out of the question.

malcindebt

I just think it is grossly unfair that I have been making payments in good faith, based on what the meter says, and now find out, even though it is not my fault, ( I never touch the meter, dad and brother are Corgi engineers so I know how dangerous it is to do so), I will have to pay back due to an error with an appliance which is the responsibility of Transco/National Grid.

Will just have to see what happens I suppose.

egamar

If it helps any, look at it this way - assuming you DID use the gas - then you've had it on credit and you can get an extended time to pay. It's certainly NOT fair to be lumbered with a huge bill, but you won't be: it'll look like it, but you can only be expected to pay what you can afford extra each month/week.

One thing to be aware of in your budgeting though: if the meter is STILL wrong, then you'll be paying more after it's fixed.

melbury

malcindebt wrote: »

Since the 11th April 2007, I have used £45 (1207Kwh) worth of gas. We have GCH and Hot water run through a an A rated Combi boiler.

Only £45! Wish my gas bills were that low.