Unpaid Gas Bills

sbrowne20uk

I have just tried to switch supplier for a cheaper alternative and on leaving they have informed me there has been a problem with the gas meter and I have not been paying for the last year only the standing charge! Am I entitled to pay for this now? Surerly it would be their responsibility to contact me if there was a problem with meter now I'm faced with having to pay all of last years gas and next years! Am I entitled to not pay for this as it is their fault?

brewerdave

Did YOU supply them with regular meter reads? Or has the meter been read by a meter reader? Is it a smart@? meter?

sbrowne20uk

It is a smart meter, I saw money on my monthly bank statement coming out so I naturally assumed they were taking the gas and electricity that I used

HampshireH

You should be checking your account routinely. Did it not seem very low amounts?

Take a reading & check the figures
But yes you're responsible

sbrowne20uk

I suppose I need to determine if it's a problem with my meter in which case it's my responsibility or if it's the smart meter which they installed that has the problem in which case its their responsibility and I should not have to pay the bill

[Deleted User]

How much was being debited each month? Surely a standing charge wouldn't have looked life your monthly consumption?

System

sbrowne20uk wrote: »

I suppose I need to determine if it's a problem with my meter in which case it's my responsibility or if it's the smart meter which they installed that has the problem in which case its their responsibility and I should not have to pay the bill

Wrong - I am afraid. The responsibility sits with you to check your bills. The most likely smart meter problem is a loss of communication with the supplier; if that is the case, the meter will still record usage. If the meter has failed, then the supplier will replace it for free and assess past usage and bill you accordingly.

brewerdave

As I understand it, the communications of readouts "back to base" ,is carried out by the electricity meter -the gas meter should communicate internally with the leccy meter -there have been reports of this link failing. However, as everyone else has stated the responsibility for spotting the comms failure is down to you I'm afraid.

Raxiel

You still have to pay for what you use. Legally they can pursue the debt for up to 6 years, although there is an industry code of practice that most (if not all) suppliers will honour that limits back billing to 12 months.


Look at it this way, you've enjoyed interest free credit for last years usage. I understand its a shock to have it all at once, but perhaps you can agree a payment plan with them rather than a lump sum.