Gas Meter but no Gas?

CTS789

Hello, 
I'm a tenant and have just moved into a new property. They told me I only need to pay electricity, but that gas used to be at the property but hasn't been for years. The energy company says I have to pay a standing charge every day, just because there's a meter there, even if no gas is provided. 
Someone on the phone mentioned de-energising the meter but my contract states I can't have meters changed or removed. The letting agent aren't interested, they have my money and signature on the deposit, but I really can't afford to pay a standing charge for gas I'm not using. 
Does anyone have any advice for me?
Thanks

Gerry1

If you use electricity for heating it will cost you a fortune.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6198796/british-gas-contact

Check out the comparison sites starting with Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?', search for Gas Only and enter usage as 1kWh per year.

Make sure you've registered with the existing supplier(s) and sent opening meter readings, then send monthly readings and keep your own records.

CTS789

Gerry1 said:

If you use electricity for heating it will cost you a fortune.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6198796/british-gas-contact

Check out the comparison sites starting with Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?', search for Gas Only and enter usage as 1kWh per year.

Make sure you've registered with the existing supplier(s) and sent opening meter readings, then send monthly readings and keep your own records.

Hi Gerry, 
The heating is storage heaters so they wouldn't use gas anyway. I can't use the gas, there's nothing for the gas to power. The issue is the standing charge. 

MalMonroe

CTS789 said:

Hello, 
I'm a tenant and have just moved into a new property. They told me I only need to pay electricity, but that gas used to be at the property but hasn't been for years. The energy company says I have to pay a standing charge every day, just because there's a meter there, even if no gas is provided. 
Someone on the phone mentioned de-energising the meter but my contract states I can't have meters changed or removed. The letting agent aren't interested, they have my money and signature on the deposit, but I really can't afford to pay a standing charge for gas I'm not using. 
Does anyone have any advice for me?
Thanks

I really don't understand this. Who is the 'they' you refer to who has told you that you need to pay electricity? Is it your landlord? 

Which energy company is it? If it's part of your tenancy agreement that you have to pay for your own energy, it should be a company that you choose yourself. (And you should have made sure that the last bill was paid by the previous occupant, too.)

You need to discuss this with the letting agent, whether they are interested or not. What exactly does it say on your tenancy agreement? And you should also discuss this with your landlord, whose contact details you are legally entitled to have. Try to be a bit more forceful and make these people listen to you. 

But first, I really would check that tenancy agreement to see what it says about energy supply. And if there are any errors or anything not transparent, especially in respect of energy, you would be entitled to cancel your tenancy agreement as the landlord will have broken the terms and conditions of such tenancy. Don't be afraid of the people who are taking your money!! And don't let them rob you.

MalMonroe

Gerry1 said:

If you use electricity for heating it will cost you a fortune.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6198796/british-gas-contact

Check out the comparison sites starting with Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?', search for Gas Only and enter usage as 1kWh per year.

Make sure you've registered with the existing supplier(s) and sent opening meter readings, then send monthly readings and keep your own records.

That mse forums link just isn't helpful at all. 

And how is your comment helpful? It's no good keeping any records if you're being ripped off for energy you don't have when you are living in a rented property. 

Gerry1

It's helpful because the OP has asked a very similar question to one that was recently asked.  The OP's contract states that the meter can't be removed, so do you have a better idea than to find the gas supplier with the lowest daily charge?

It's also good advice to read the electricity meter monthly and to keep records in case the supplier goes bust or there's a billing dispute.

molerat

If you have just moved in to the property and do not use any gas you need not pay a standing charge.  This stance has been backed up by OFGEM.  If the energy company insist that you need to pay raise a formal complaint and ask for a letter of deadlock and take it to the ombudsman.  You will win the case.

Gerry1

molerat said:

If you have just moved in to the property and do not use any gas you need not pay a standing charge.  This stance has been backed up by OFGEM.

That's good news (do you have a link?), but could be problematic if the supplier removes the meter and / or if the landlord is subsequently hit with a hefty reconnection charge when the OP moves out (and which will no doubt be reclaimed from the OP).

CTS789

Okay, so the tenancy agreement says:
Not to tamper or interfere with or alter or add to the gas, water or electrical installations or meters in or serving the Premises.
The oven is electric, they used to have a gas one, and the heating is electric storage heaters, so even if I wanted to use gas (I prefer gas) I can't use it with anything in the house. But they (letting agent representing the landlord) say I have to pay the standing charge because the landlord doesn't want the gas meter removing. I don't see why any company would charge that though if there's no gas being used?

Gerry1

It's because there are fixed costs associated with making a safe supply available to you 24/7: fixing leaks, managing the distribution network etc.  They still apply even if you don't use any gas.

molerat

The principle of a deemed contract is on the consumption of energy.  if no energy is consumed you cannot be entered into that contract hence the often used statement of "once you flick on a light switch" The case is completely different if you have been using the gas then had all appliances removed so you could be held responsible for the standing charge but even then OFGEM are generally of the opinion that a 0 user should not pay a charge