Energy Account Balance suddenly -£2400

Fizza01

Hoping you experienced souls can help.

I have been with British Gas for many many years. Not missed any payment, pay by direct debit, standard tarriff. Up until recently I didn't send updated meter readings (don't have a smart meter), but have been better at that in 2022. Prior to that I must admit I didn't really know how they read the meter.

Two weeks ago, I suddenly noticed in my App that, despite my direct debit decreasing from £43 - £36 in May, that there was an 'Energy Account balance' in the 'Billing and payments history' of -£2400.

Scared, I rang British Gas, who first informed me it was incorrect and would be removed and then when I had to ring back (got cut off) the next person said, it would not be removed and was a result of me not supplying them with a meter reading between 2020 and 2022. They then said that they had a 'duty of care' to come and take a meter reading every year, but for some reason hadn't and then, weirdly apologised.

Now today, I noticed that they had altered this -£2400 to -£1150, which, over a 2 year period, suggests I underpaid by over £45 a month. I live in a one bedroom flat, so, none of it makes sense to me - even if it was backdated, it still seems far far too high. Has anyone experience or advice? I could really do with it. British Gas are making me feel ill with worry about this outstanding amount

Robin9

Have you had bills from BG from 2020 - 2022 ? 

Is this an all electric flat ? 

TheMilkmansDad

without knowing your annual usage it's hard to tell.

What was your last actual meter reading on a bill (not an estimate) - what are your current meter readings?

pochase

Did you give them a meter read now? 

What was the last real meter read you have given them in 2020 and what is your meter read today.

Reason that they have halfed the 2400 to 1150 might be backbilling rule that does not allow them to charge for more than the last 12 months, but if you have never given them meter reads that usually does not apply.

Not much we can say before we know what your real usage is, but it sounds more that you might have underpaid by £80 to £100.

Fizza01

Thank you EVERYONE for responding. It's a real comfort to get advice. So, my last meter reading was 7th May and it was 72897 ( I only have electricity - boiler is electric, ditto hob...)

What I don't understand is I have paid every direct debit monthly at £43, so if it HAS been halved to consider backbilling (just googled what that was!) then that assumes I've under paid by £90 a month, so a one bed flat usage would be £130 per month?! Judging by all the research I've done, that seems double what it ought to be.

I've just checked the app and it says I have used 5248 kWh in 2022 and that 4257kWh is in February.

I never used to send in meter readings prior to this year. I now realise this was an error on my part!

pochase

Your current meter read is a good start, what we now need is the last real meter read on a bill. The app means nothing if they are using estimates.

When was the last bill that showed something like your read, our read, an R or something like that and not an E or estimate? And what was the meter read for this? 

Fizza01

OK. So I don't have anything like that on my app. And I regret I haven't kept any old papers. I presume the best thing to do is to request these be emailed to me from British Gas? (to decipher what the R was prior to 2022)

Gerry1

An electric boiler is the most expensive form of heating you can have.  Sadly, DDs totalling only £516 per annum does suggest that you've been seriously under paying and that now it's catch-up time.

Robin9

Fizza01 said:

( I only have electricity - boiler is electric, ditto hob...)

What do mean by "boiler" ?

A tank with immersion heaters in it  or a great big tank with water filled radiators ?

Are the heaters a slim panel type ?

Even in the good old days £80-90 for an electric flat would have been good.

Fizza01

Oh really?! Oh sob! OK, so it sounds like I'm in for a shock in the future... I appreciate all the help though, thank you

Gerry1

If the worst happens, you should be able to pay the arrears over 12 months.  Ask for a Payment Plan.

If you're renting, it might be worth considering a move to a property with gas central heating.  If you own the flat and intend to stay a reasonable time, it might be worth considering High Heat Retention storage heaters on E7, e.g. Dimplex Quantum.  Not cheap to install, but cheaper to run and potential buyers are less likely to run a mile...