Faulty Gas Meter

Ashleysaves

Background: My gas meter has been ‘stuck’ on the same reading for several months. As soon as I noticed I contacted my energy supplier via email to alert them. They eventually acknowledged that this was the case and advised that an engineer would need to visit the property. I then booked an engineer appointment over the phone but nobody turned up on the day. 

Question: I could contact the energy company again to rebook the appointment but I am getting pretty tired of chasing them. It is their responsibility to ensure a working meter at the end of the day. If I do nothing are there any consequences to me ‘taking no further action’? As I understand it they are not legally allowed to charge for energy used over 12 months ago so if enough time passes I could save? Grateful for any thoughts or advice. 

Alderbank

Answer: I've no idea.
Why not ask on the Energy forum? https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/energy

Casskale

No, they can't backbill, but they can just bill you based on previous usage.

You won't be getting free gas if you keep quiet.

Ashleysaves

Casskale said:

No, they can't backbill, but they can just bill you based on previous usage.

You won't be getting free gas if you keep quiet.

I think I read that legally they cannot charge for energy consumed over 12 months ago? So if it goes on long enough I may get some free energy… I think?

Casskale

Ashleysaves said:

Casskale said:

No, they can't backbill, but they can just bill you based on previous usage.

You won't be getting free gas if you keep quiet.

I think I will get free energy if it takes them over 12 months to charge me. As legally they cannot charge for energy consumed over 12 months ago? I think I read that somewhere credible…

No, that's not how backbilling works.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/check-energy-back-billing-rules

Nelliegrace

DD is in a similar position at their new home. She photographed the meter when they arrived and soon realised it was not working. The engineer came and fixed it, he said it had been broken for several years. 
DD is waiting to see how much they will be billed for about six weeks. How can you estimate how much new owners would have used?

Casskale

Nelliegrace said:

DD is in a similar position at their new home. She photographed the meter when they arrived and soon realised it was not working. The engineer came and fixed it, he said it had been broken for several years. 
DD is waiting to see how much they will be billed for about six weeks. How can you estimate how much new owners would have used?

It'll probably be based on what an "average" person would use.

Aylesbury_Duck

They'll probably just bill you on an estimate. You could 'win", but equally you could lose out, so it's best to keep trying to get it sorted.  

Ashleysaves

Casskale said:

Ashleysaves said:

Casskale said:

No, they can't backbill, but they can just bill you based on previous usage.

You won't be getting free gas if you keep quiet.

I think I will get free energy if it takes them over 12 months to charge me. As legally they cannot charge for energy consumed over 12 months ago? I think I read that somewhere credible…

No, that's not how backbilling works.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/check-energy-back-billing-rules

Sorry if I am missing something obvious but this link seems to validate my point rather than contradict it. The article basically says that they cannot charge me for energy over 12 months ago. So if 12 months pass I can only get a bill for the past 12 months, not 13 or beyond…

Aylesbury_Duck

When were you last billed?

Ashleysaves

Aylesbury_Duck said:

When were you last billed?

 

6 Months ago.