Gas provider, faulty meter, not used , provider issuing bill.

sugerplum2

Can a gas suppler legally entrap you into having a meter in your house, if you do not want one,by saying you owe them money you do not? I had a meter in the house that was faulty,the card just would not work. I was seriously ill at the time, so just had to learn to live without it. The suppler had just been changed and I had not even used a single unit of gas ,cause of the issue, so thought I not been able to use anything, so therefore not been supplied anything. Years later they broke my doors in, saying their concerned about my non use and took the meter, insisted I had another and have no billed me a large amount of money to which I am not able to afford. They have wrote a statement lying saying I have used gas that I have not and are refusing to remove the meter when I asked. I have basically been entrapped, with a meter that is billing me daily and debt to which I do not owe ,as never used anything. It's made me so unwell, I feel that unsettled in my own home that I am considering moving out . Any advice would be good as I am totally on the brink with it all really, as I fall into several catagories of vulnerability too.

BUFF

so you didn't use any gas for any form of heating or cooking? You probably still owed them for the standing charge though.
Are you on their priority list if you have vulnerabilities?
You probably need to talk to somebody like Citizen's Advice.

victor2

Welcome to the forum.

Have you tried Citizens Advice for help, or do you have an advisor or support person who can look into it on your behalf?

Arm yourself with whatever documentation you have and see if you can get any advice.

pochase

Did you report to the supplier that the meter is broken?

They will not just remove the meter if you ask them to do so. If you want the meter removed you have to pay for it and you will also need to speak to your landlord.

I have seen figures of around £700 for removal of the gas meter, and you will have to get a new when you move out at similar cost.

sugerplum2

They told me when they put it in that, if I did not want it removed that I could call up at any time and have it removed for no cost, as they insisted that I had it put in, as I could not decide at the time as they would of taken it out .( I have this all recorded for evidence) I was unwell so did not know what to do .

sugerplum2

I am trying to get help but I have been left waiting all week for a response. Then started to get worried that they were delaying due to the time period since they insisted I had the new meter, so insisted they take the meter out. Only now I have found out that they have concluded my complaint before even answering it. Committed in writing to state I have not accepted the bill amount they have come to. When this was the first time I have seen it! The figure is calculated 2 sperate figure issues into one,so do not know what figure is for what even. They have stated their concerns for coming was non usage, then have tried to later bill me for usage to which they are saying I have used apparently . Yet have confirmed their records show no card top up to access the gas has ever been made and they have already told me that on inspection the meter was found as "non illegal and faulty" so have no idea haw they are assuming I used this gas that they are saying the meter is showing I have used. It's all deeply concerning and has made me very ill , I am going to move out of the property to be honest .

sugerplum2

victor2 said:

Welcome to the forum.

Have you tried Citizens Advice for help, or do you have an advisor or support person who can look into it on your behalf?

Arm yourself with whatever documentation you have and see if you can get any advice.

I am trying to get help but I have been left waiting all week for a response. Then started to get worried that they were delaying due to the time period since they insisted I had the new meter, so insisted they take the meter out. Only now I have found out that they have concluded my complaint before even answering it. Committed in writing to state I have not accepted the bill amount they have come to. When this was the first time I have seen it! The figure is calculated 2 sperate figure issues into one,so do not know what figure is for what even. They have stated their concerns for coming was non usage, then have tried to later bill me for usage to which they are saying I have used apparently . Yet have confirmed their records show no card top up to access the gas has ever been made and they have already told me that on inspection the meter was found as "non illegal and faulty" so have no idea haw they are assuming I used this gas that they are saying the meter is showing I have used. It's all deeply concerning and has made me very ill , I am going to move out of the property to be honest .

sugerplum2

victor2 said:

Welcome to the forum.

Have you tried Citizens Advice for help, or do you have an advisor or support person who can look into it on your behalf?

Arm yourself with whatever documentation you have and see if you can get any advice.

I am trying to get help but I have been left waiting all week for a response. Then started to get worried that they were delaying due to the time period since they insisted I had the new meter, so insisted they take the meter out. Only now I have found out that they have concluded my complaint before even answering it. Committed in writing to state I have not accepted the bill amount they have come to. When this was the first time I have seen it! The figure is calculated 2 sperate figure issues into one,so do not know what figure is for what even. They have stated their concerns for coming was non usage, then have tried to later bill me for usage to which they are saying I have used apparently . Yet have confirmed their records show no card top up to access the gas has ever been made and they have already told me that on inspection the meter was found as "non illegal and faulty" so have no idea haw they are assuming I used this gas that they are saying the meter is showing I have used. It's all deeply concerning and has made me very ill , I am going to move out of the property to be honest .

pochase said:

Did you report to the supplier that the meter is broken?

They will not just remove the meter if you ask them to do so. If you want the meter removed you have to pay for it and you will also need to speak to your landlord.

I have seen figures of around £700 for removal of the gas meter, and you will have to get a new when you move out at similar cost.

They told me when they put it in that, if I did want it removed that I could just call up at any time and have it removed for no cost, as they insisted that I had it put in, as I could not decide at the time as they would of taken it out .( I have this all recorded, and is evidence) I was unwell so did not know what to do ,plus could not work out affordability without a decision or sight of their charges,to which were not given to me.

sugerplum2

BUFF said:

so you didn't use any gas for any form of heating or cooking? You probably still owed them for the standing charge though.
Are you on their priority list if you have vulnerabilities?
You probably need to talk to somebody like Citizen's Advice.

No I used electricity. The meter was found to be faulty. I had not even used a single unit ,so what are they supposing they supplied to me ? I have contacted media companies and looking to go public with it all as it's all been very concerning .People need to know to avoid them as a utility suppler. I will take them to court, as need to get it all in front of a judge for justice

markin

What is the bill, and how many years?

sugerplum2

b

markin said:

What is the bill, and how many years?

markin said:

What is the bill, and how many years?

They are trying to bill me for the full period of usage and the gas usage it is saying. There is no break down as I have never been given one. The period of time is about 7 years. They are stating that there has been no vends on the payment since 2016 .so this is why they contacted the revenue protection service. It's awful situation as if you only knew the way I have been treated and dealt with. It's shocking . It's that bad,that I on me putting in a request for data access, they have come back saying they do not have to allow me access to everything and they will take out what people don't agree to. I said their a public service and any work employee or 3rd party therefore knows on signing any contract for employment knows that they need to be legal and lawful etc It's disgusting and all I've had on the phone, is how they have people stealing gas and stuff. I know more about stealing gas ,being forced to listen to them on the phone than ever I did before, as had no idea. I am a single mum, who's un well and just has not used the service at all with them. They have even said the meter was "non illegal" , I had no idea what they was meaning,but it's that I have not stole their gas,apparently . They can stick their gas as I'd rather rub sticks together n live in the woods that be treated like this , as I am being accuse of something I have not done as not used any of their gas! It's shocking cause they are out right lying and have reassured me whole time that if I was telling the truth I have nothing to worry about .shocking !