Tariff change without consent

HarryStoke

I moved into my new rented property back in August. British gas advised us that £65 would be enough per month and see how we go . For the first month or 2 it was but with winter approaching I put it up to 85 per month via the website. So for the first 3 months we paid £65, then the next 3 months we paid £85. All this is fine and completely understandable. But today £113 has come out of my bank account and when I log onto my Brit gas account online it says that’s my new tariff and I'm £11 in credit. Why was I put on a higher tariff without being asked or notified ? I am fine with this if this is how much energy we are predicted to use but I never went into my account and changed this myself . Could it be that they have done it themselves off their own bat ? Have they done it based on what they think we will use going forward ?

Any relevant info would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

Quentin

Clarify this with your supplier

Have they changed your tariff or amended your DD in line with your useage

Then take it from their reply

If no notice was given to you regarding the new amount that was taken then you can use the DD guarantee to get the money put back in your account ( though it you do owe it then it will ultimately have to be paid for)

brewerdave

Are you on the standard variable tariff? If so, the cap has been raised from April increasing your tariff automatically.

Raxiel

The direct debit amount isn't your tariff, it's just a payment on account.


Your tariff is the price per unit (kWh) of energy and the standing charge per day.


The direct debit amount is set by estimating how much energy you will use. Sometimes that estimate is wrong, in your case they clearly underestimated* and you've used more energy than they expected and the direct debit wasn't enough to cover it.


*This assumes they have been getting regular meter readings either from you, a meter reader or a smart meter. It's also possible they've made new overestimates and think you owe more than you do. Give them new meter readings asap if you haven't been doing so to get an accurate credit/debit total on your account.



They increased the DD rather than let you build up a debit in your account (because no one likes bill shock). They should have informed you in advance that they would be taking more (unless the wording of your contract with them says they don't have to) but you still have to pay for what you use (and only what you use)