Insanely high British Gas bill...

meeshpeesh

Gerry1 said:

You're paying 17.72715p per kWh and a standing charge of 22.2558p/day (inc VAT).

I'm paying 12.11343p per kWh and a standing charge 13.2825p per day.

You're choosing to be well and truly ripped off !

As I said I've never dealt with it before so this is a learning curve, believe me I wouldn't choose to be ripped off 

JJ_Egan

Many tariffs are around the price you are paying .

But as said look for cheaper .

JGB1955

Your bill of £90.58 was for the period 8 October to 3 December (57 days and an ESTIMATED 439 units). The current bill appears to be correct.

Talldave

The previous bill was based on their estimate, not your reading.  That's why this bill is a bit of a catch-up bill.

I'm paying 11.415p per kWh and 15p per day standing charge, the total bill since moving in would have been £282 for me.

Cardew

meeshpeesh said:

I wouldn't mind if it was spread out and I was prepared but to slap me with a huge bill and say it's for a month and a bit is impossible, my cash flow just won't cover it and I have no idea what to do.

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That is why most people pay by monthly direct debit(DD) so the annual cost is split into 12 equal payments - probably around £80 a month when you take the summer months into account.

If you phone BG they will probably allow you to start a DD now and effectively pay off that £300+ debt over the next 12 months.

Also BG have some much cheaper tariffs fixed for 12 months - you would be well advised to investigate.

meeshpeesh

My cousin's boyfriend is an electrician and he is gonna pop round and check what is actually running on my meter and see if there is a leak or where the most usage is. I've just remembered that our neighbour uses the hall outside our flat to dry his clothes and turns the heating on full blast out there, the landlord clocked on and had them removed but the plug is still there, and this morning I walked out my flat to a couple of extension leads running from the hallway under the front door to his flat. If it turns out the hallway flat is running on our meter this could explain the crazy surge in usage. If not I'll be living in the dark, cold and quiet from now on! 

Robin9

The estimated reading of 24361 was obviously very low.
During 4 Jan to 11 Feb - you used 815 kWh -  you need to look at how you control your heating and your showers !

and get into the habit of reading your meters then you won't get caught out.

Iconic

If you are having trouble paying the bill have a look at this https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/struggling-to-pay-your-energy-bills/

[Deleted User]

meeshpeesh said:

Meter Readings: 
11/02/2020 - 26231 (billed £347.28 based on this reading)
28/12/2019 - 25416 (charged £90.58 based on this reading)
08/10/2019 - 23922 (move in date)

Hi,

well using your readings and unit rate/standing charge I get,

26231 - 23922 = 2309 units @ 16.883p = £389.83,

DSC 130 @ 27.55 = 21.196p = £27.55,

vat on above = £20.87,

so total £438.25.

You have been charged £90.58 and £347.28 = £437.86.

So it all seems correct.

The estimated reading has messed you up, you should've checked the meter reading then and contacted supplier, always either supply readings or check estimated readings.

As already said, look for a cheaper supplier.

Talldave

meeshpeesh said:

My cousin's boyfriend is an electrician and he is gonna pop round and check what is actually running on my meter and see if there is a leak or where the most usage is. I've just remembered that our neighbour uses the hall outside our flat to dry his clothes and turns the heating on full blast out there, the landlord clocked on and had them removed but the plug is still there, and this morning I walked out my flat to a couple of extension leads running from the hallway under the front door to his flat. If it turns out the hallway flat is running on our meter this could explain the crazy surge in usage. If not I'll be living in the dark, cold and quiet from now on! 

Take a photo of the extension leads - might just come in handy.
Plug a lamp into the hallway socket then throw the main power switch on your consumer unit and see if it goes out. If it does, your neighbour has been stealing your electricity - get your cousin's boyfriend to disconnect that circuit inside your flat and go discuss the large Bill's with the neighbour.