Gas out of contract charges

Bliss21

We moved premises last year and had the gas connected in October.  As far as we are aware no gas has been used in the premises for at least 10 years.
Whilst try to sort out contract which been far more complicated than necessary I am sure our landlord started receiving bills from Total Energy at 10 times the average rate, which of course they have now been passed on to us.  The new contract I was 'sold' at the time was assured it would be back dated from the start but now this appears to be an issue too.  How does a random company have the right to charge you and it there a limit for how excessive out of contract rates are? 
Any help much appreciated.

Jeremy535897

If this is a commercial premises, the rules on capping don't apply. Have you written evidence concerning the details of the contract you were "sold"?

JJ_Egan

Business contracts well known to be a minefield as users often sign up without reading the T&C .

Bliss21

Yes it is a commercial premises.
With regards to the new contract, if need be I will cancel this it they are not able to get it back dated.
My issue is more with the billing from a company we have never had anything to do with and why they can invoice us.

Jeremy535897

They were presumably invoicing the landlord, so it is the landlord you need to address this issue with.

Bliss21

Thanks Jeremy, our landlord is great to work with and has no idea who they are either as I say probably no gas here for at least 10 years and even then would have been arranged by previous tenants.  However a change of occupy has been done and so now it is all being invoiced in our business name.  

J_B

Bliss21 said:

 However a change of occupy has been done and so now it is all being invoiced in our business name.  

A little confused as you also say .....

Bliss21 said:

.................. I am sure our landlord started receiving bills from Total Energy at 10 times the average rate, which of course they have now been passed on to us.  .

So, who did recieve the bills and who's name are they in?

Did you so an opening meter reading?

Do you actually use gas?

Bliss21

Whilst I was trying to organise a contract, out of the blue Total Energy send an invoice to our landlord, he had never received any previous to this.  The meter started from zero however the appear to have actual reading which is impossible as it is in a locked cabinet and none had ever at this stage been given to anyone. They have now realized that we are the new tennants and transfered these bills to our name.  Yes we started using gas in October when it was connected it has taken this length of time with an energy provider to get the contract set up!

Jeremy535897

You and the landlord think no gas has been used at the property for at least ten years, which implies there has been a connection in the past. A meter with zero starting point indicates a new supply or a new meter, which presumably the landlord will know about, so ask them. I assume you mean Total Gas and Power? What do they say? When did they start supplying? Is the meter reading an accurate one?