Gas meter stopped, estimates used - new bill very high!

Emgee71

Hi, hope I can get some good advice. I am sure my problem is not unique but it is multi-faceted. Here are the facts;

1. We live in a rental property.
2. A meter reading was given to First Utility when we moved in.
3. We set up a direct debit to pay an estimated figure every month.
4. 14 months has passed.
5. A meter reader came to the property and took a reading.
6. The reading was the same number as when we moved in.
7. They then sent us a new bill for nearly £1000.

I feel miffed about this on a number of issues;

1. The £1000 bill is yet another estimate - by First Utility, without any questions to us at all.
2. We don't know what period this bill covers - the meter was presumably not working before we moved in.
3. We have been paying a DD every month so it's not like we were trying to get away without paying!
4. There has been no request to repair/replace the broken meter whatsoever either from First Utility or any contractor on their behalf.

Are we liable for this bill? First Utility has not provided us with a working meter and seems to be pulling numbers out of thin air. The landlord lived in this property directly before we moved in - is he liable?

We have not paid the £1000 bill, which I can't afford to pay anyway. Is there a well-trodden defence/letter/way to deal with a situation/complaint like this?

Thanks in advance, M

PeterGr

I suggest that you should follow the complaints procedure of the supplier, and escalating your issue in email then in writing. Also make sure you have your own documentation in order, and that you give them all the relevant dates and payments.


A quick glance at FU's website suggests they have some good guidance on the steps to follow.

molerat

What happened to the meter reads you took and gave to your supplier 13 months ago, and 12 months ago and 11 months ago ........... See where I am going here. I am afraid you are at least partly responsible for this mess. Your supplier will use an estimate based on your property profile supplied from industry data held for that property. Get them to fit a new meter, if they don't that will be a basis for complaint.

D_M_E

Rental property - in order to decide whether the estimate is reasonable or extortionate, you need to look at what size property it is and what sort, also how high the heating is set and type of boiler.

Is it a flat, house, one-bed, two-bed, is the thermostat set to tropical?

Is it an old boiler or a modern condensing one?

Is the property well insulated?

What tariff did they put you on at the start and are you still on the same tariff?

If it's a flat, how do you know it's the correct meter for the flat?

brianposter

You need a new working meter ASAP to get some estimate of your usage.