Not charged for Gas

Smodlet

The best way is for her to call them and tell them the truth! The consequences are hers to deal with; she allowed this to happen. From what you say, she did actually realise she is supposed to pay for gas she uses.

If you don't understand BS, I'm guessing you won't understand !!!!!! either. :cool:

House_Martin

scoey8 wrote: »

How do you mean? She didn't suggest saying that i was asking the question theoretically do they have records of all payments on cards? because otherwise she is basically admitting she hasn't paid for gas for 6 years. Don't understand what is BS. I don't want her to get a bill for 1000's so i'm trying to find the best way of broaching the subject with British Gas.

I.e if she calls and says i think the meter is damaged can you take a look, and they say when did you notice this and she says oh 6 years ago, that doesn't look good for her (her fault anyway i know). So i am trying to figure out how she can solve this with only paying say a years back payment.

Depends on the type of meter she has. If she has one of the older ones with a separate index such as the very common George Wilson Imperial prepay meter , then its recording the consumption even if the display is blank.
Later ones have a digital display and if that is blank then they have no idea of how many units are used. she could have used no gas at all if she did nt have gas central heating and used an electric cooker.
The standing charges would be owed and even that would add up to a nasty bill of around £500.
I think maybe I would try and switch supplier or account holder if they can get a handle on gas usage via an old George Wilson type meter otherwise a really hefty bill will turn up.
They would fit a new prepayment meter and add up to £16 a week debt to be repaid.
Its not uncommon for me to see debts of £2k or £3k on prepayment meters from precisely this sort of scenario. My absolute record debt seen on a prepay gas meter is £9000 !
BG have been negligent in not keeping in touch with one of their customers. They should have checked the meter themselves at least twice and should have rectified the problem rather than leaving it for 6 long years.
In the past I have seen the suppliers try and recoup everything but if someone takes their case to the Ombudsman they drop it rather than be found out how badly they have kept in touch with one of their customers.

Mojisola

scoey8 wrote: »

How do you mean? She didn't suggest saying that i was asking the question theoretically do they have records of all payments on cards? because otherwise she is basically admitting she hasn't paid for gas for 6 years. Don't understand what is BS. I don't want her to get a bill for 1000's so i'm trying to find the best way of broaching the subject with British Gas.

But she hasn't paid for all that gas.

scoey8

Smodlet wrote: »

The best way is for her to call them and tell them the truth! The consequences are hers to deal with; she allowed this to happen. From what you say, she did actually realise she is supposed to pay for gas she uses.

If you don't understand BS, I'm guessing you won't understand !!!!!! either. :cool:

You come across as smug. Of course she realises, we've already established that in first couple of posts. Everyone makes mistakes and a lot of people have buried their head in the sand when it comes to debt. I was just trying to help someone who has very little not get a bill for 6 years of gas, her fault or not.

scoey8

'But she hasn't paid for all that gas.'

I know she hasn't. But i'm trying to find a way so she doesn't have to pay it all back. Sorry if you don't agree with it.

molerat

All she can do is contact them, tell them her meter is not working and see where it goes. The longer she leaves it the worse it will get. Once they decide how much they are going to bill her you can decide what to do.

scoey8

House_Martin wrote: »

Depends on the type of meter she has. If she has one of the older ones with a separate index such as the very common George Wilson Imperial prepay meter , then its recording the consumption even if the display is blank.
Later ones have a digital display and if that is blank then they have no idea of how many units are used. she could have used no gas at all if she did nt have gas central heating and used an electric cooker.
The standing charges would be owed and even that would add up to a nasty bill of around £500.
I think maybe I would try and switch supplier or account holder if they can get a handle on gas usage via an old George Wilson type meter otherwise a really hefty bill will turn up.
They would fit a new prepayment meter and add up to £16 a week debt to be repaid.
Its not uncommon for me to see debts of £2k or £3k on prepayment meters from precisely this sort of scenario. My absolute record debt seen on a prepay gas meter is £9000 !
BG have been negligent in not keeping in touch with one of their customers. They should have checked the meter themselves at least twice and should have rectified the problem rather than leaving it for 6 long years.
In the past I have seen the suppliers try and recoup everything but if someone takes their case to the Ombudsman they drop it rather than be found out how badly they have kept in touch with one of their customers.

Thanks for the advice. The payment meter does have a digital display which is blank (but also an analogue bit which i turning quite fast) , therefore from what you say they have no way of telling how many units are used? would they not make an estimate ? Although i agree with you that British Gas could have done more in checking meters, sending statements etc.

Smodlet

Most of us (I assume) pay for every kwh we use, take responsibility for our energy accounts and do not commit fraud. I can't believe you, House Martin, actually seem to be condoning this unless I have misunderstood your posts in which case, I apologise for not being on the right page.

OP, if you equate being responsible and expecting others to be so too with being smug, that is your prerogative. I won't say how you come across to me as I am not about to be PPR-ed. Encouraging illegal activity is against forum rules, though.

scoey8

Smodlet wrote: »

Most of us (I assume) pay for every kwh we use, take responsibility for our energy accounts and do not commit fraud. I can't believe you, House Martin, actually seem to be condoning this unless I have misunderstood your posts in which case, I apologise for not being on the right page.

OP, if you equate being responsible and expecting others to be so too with being smug, that is your prerogative. I won't say how you come across to me as I am not about to be PPR-ed. Encouraging illegal activity is against forum rules, though.

It was more your condescending tone and use of a cool face smiley. Like i say this person has come from a very difficult background through no fault of her own (domestic abuse living in a shelter etc.) and has turned her life around remarkably. I'm just trying to help her not to get a bill for thousands of pounds which would potentially have a very bad affect on her and her children. Right or wrong, that's all i'm trying to do. If you don't agree and think she should admit to everything i respect your view.

Robin9

Can we all put this on hold please until contact has been made with BG by the tenant ?