Unable to access meter for reading. Accruing daily standing charges tho no energy being used

TinaMoreland

My Father recently died in a house fire.  The house has been completely destroyed.  I am the executor for my father's estate.  I have notified everyone that needs to know but wanting some advice regarding the bills and standing charges for the gas and electricity supply.  Both of these were supplied to my father via British Gas.  When I telephoned them to notify them they asked me to supply a meter reading.  I explained the house was destroyed in the fire and that I was not even sure if the meters would have survived intact.  They told me they would continue to charge the daily standing charge for both gas and electricity until the house changed ownership.  This obviously will be some considerable time.  I am concerned about how much this is likely to be considering if will be at least 12 months before the house will be habitable again.  Is there a way I can get the standing charges frozen or stopped until the house is actually habitable again?
I have also since received a letter from British Gas's solicitors, again requesting a meter reading.   The house is not safe to enter, and even if it was I am too distressed to go near it.

Section62

Sorry for your loss.

If the house has been destroyed to that extent, both the gas and electricity supplies should have been disconnected (externally) to make them safe.  Has that happened (yet)?

If the property is disconnected then there should be no ongoing charges at all.  Although there may be a reconnection charge once the property has been rebuilt/refurbished and the services made safe.

DE_612183

@Section62 is correct - you may need to speak to the Electricity Distributor for your area - they would have carried out any emergency work and *should* notify BG in due course - but it's better to get them moving on this - which area is the house in?

Robin9

Did BG attend the fire ? Did they cut off the gas / electric to the building ?

DE_612183

Robin9 said:

Did BG attend the fire ? Did they cut off the gas / electric to the building ?

It won't have been BG

Vegastare

Firstly I am so sorry to read the sad circumstances of your Dad passing and the present situation

You should answer the solicitors letter asap  -  informing them of the situation and the added distress this is placing you under and the explain it is unsafe to enter property.  Post it with proof of postage as confirmation for yourself and keep the proof.  I think last time I posted something they was no extra charge for this while registered post does have a charge and has to be signed for on arrival.

I would also email the head of British Gas again fully explaining your contact with British Gas what was said and the full circumstances that you find yourself in and now you are receiving solicitors letter.  Basically what you have said above.

This is a very sad and distressing situation and British Gas are making it harder for you.

Section62

TinaMoreland said:

They told me they would continue to charge the daily standing charge for both gas and electricity until the house changed ownership.

...

I have also since received a letter from British Gas's solicitors, again requesting a meter reading.   The house is not safe to enter, and even if it was I am too distressed to go near it.

Another thought - are you in touch with the British Gas bereavement support team?  They should have specially trained staff who are better equipped to deal with the complications that can arise in this type of situation, rather than the normal customer services staff who only read from a script.

There are details of the service on their website, which includes an email address for the team -

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/probate

bereavementsupport@britishgas.co.uk

Personally I think you should consider making a complaint about the way they have handled things so far, but that can wait for now.

The priority should be getting the services made safe (if they aren't).

Robin9

DE_612183 said:

Robin9 said:

Did BG attend the fire ? Did they cut off the gas / electric to the building ?

It won't have been BG

Cadent then.     The question is still relevant 

Section62

Vegastare said:

You should answer the solicitors letter asap  -  informing them of the situation and the added distress this is placing you under and the explain it is unsafe to enter property.  Post it with proof of postage as confirmation for yourself and keep the proof.  I think last time I posted something they was no extra charge for this while registered post does have a charge and has to be signed for on arrival.

I would also email the head of British Gas again fully explaining your contact with British Gas what was said and the full circumstances that you find yourself in and now you are receiving solicitors letter.  Basically what you have said above.

As I just posted, I think the OP should be in touch with the bereavement support team, rather than jumping through these hoops.

The 'solicitors' shouldn't be asking for meter readings if the house is unsafe to enter.  Someone in the bereavement team would know this and be able to put a stop to that kind of nonsense.

DE_612183

Robin9 said:

DE_612183 said:

Robin9 said:

Did BG attend the fire ? Did they cut off the gas / electric to the building ?

It won't have been BG

Cadent then.     The question is still relevant 

For Gas - yes if they are the distributor for the area, may be a different one for electricity - but yes the question is correct - normally the Fire Service would get the relevant service companies to attend.

EssexHebridean

Tina, I have nothing to add to the subject but didn't want to read and run without saying how sorry I am for the situation you find yourself in - and I'm not surprised you are too distressed to go near the house. I'm so sorry for your loss and the awful circumstances it occurred in.