Fixed Rate but double DD?

ML92

Hi all,

I’m currently on a fixed rate with British Gas until the end of this month (30th April) and have been playing £82 p/m DD. This month however I was charged £162, and I’m credit of nearly £200 anyway and meter readings are up to date.

The whole price cap situation is going over my head a bit, but is this correct? I’d be expecting to pay that after my fix ends but surely it shouldn’t change so drastically while I’m still fixed in right? I’ve been trying to get hold of British Gas the past few days but no luck.

MattMattMattUK

ML92 said:

Hi all,

I’m currently on a fixed rate with British Gas until the end of this month (30th April) and have been playing £82 p/m DD. This month however I was charged £162, and I’m credit of nearly £200 anyway and meter readings are up to date.

The whole price cap situation is going over my head a bit, but is this correct? I’d be expecting to pay that after my fix ends but surely it shouldn’t change so drastically while I’m still fixed in right? I’ve been trying to get hold of British Gas the past few days but no luck.

That Direct Debit assessment will be to cover the payments required for the next six months, it might be a little on the high side, but with the fact that your unit rate will likely double vs the fix you are currently on it may not be. 

Robin9

There would have been details about this change on your last bill.  It sounds like a catch up adjustment due the DD you have been paying being insufficient for the costs.

Are you absolutely sure you're in credit ?  Some of the online accounts can be difficult to understand  - they show the credit/debit at the last bill plus the DD's received but do not include the cost of energy in the period.

pochase

You should have received the information that you DD will increase upfront. Either in an email, letter or most likely on the last bill you received.

As you are coming of a fixed rate doubling the cost is not unlikely at all, it might be even on the low side depending how good you fix was. For example my unit price for gas went up by more than 200% 2.3p to 7.2p, and electricity almost doubled coming from 14.6p. 

So it is not impossible that your DD will double, even with you being in credit.