Gas meter database issue - cannot switch providers!

Moneysavingchap

I have an issue with my gas meter on the meter database - basically it appears to suppliers that I have 2 gas meters registered to my address! 

I had an issue around a year ago when British Gas started sending my address bills - despite me being with Eon Next and never having had an account. I was on and off the phone to British Gas numerous times, and it took a long time to sort out, but I thought it was resolved as they have been sending bills correctly to my neighbour. 

I live in a semi detached building, numbered 1 and 2 Main Building, High Street. The British Gas error from before started sending me letters to just "Main Building, High Street", and this is where the error was, it as meant for number 2, however I got it resolved and thought nothing more of it. 

Until now, when I want to switch, suppliers think I have 2 gas meters and cannot support the arrangement! 

When I look on the database for gas meters, it shows meters at:

1 Main Building, Main Building, High Street

1 Main Building, Main, High Street

2 Main Building, High Street

Both 1 Main Building, Main, High Street and 2 Main Building, High Street show as British Gas, different MPRN. It looks like there are 3 MPRN for two houses in a semi detached. My house, 1 Main Building, Main Building, High Street is showing Eon next and the correct MPRN for my bills.

When I called British Gas, they were incredibly unhelpful, saying that I am not a customer, and they have a valued customer at the address who is receiving bills and if they wish to update their address they need to call. I have spoken to them and they don't seem that bothered, as on their side they are getting correct bills and paying. Am I really dependent on them fixing this?? 

Does anyone know how this could have happened, and my best recourse to fix? I can't believe it's right that I now need to rely on my neighbour to fix this before I can switch suppliers? All from a British Gas error?

DE_612183

What are the suppliers saying when you say you want to move one MPRN from EON to X Supplier?

Moneysavingchap

DE_612183 said:

What are the suppliers saying when you say you want to move one MPRN from EON to X Supplier?

They haven't been asking for the MPRN - they take my address and say that they are unable to support my meter setup as it shows me as having one electricity meter and two gas meters.

This is for OVO in particular as they have come up with the cheapest quote by a reasonable margin.

DE_612183

Moneysavingchap said:

DE_612183 said:

What are the suppliers saying when you say you want to move one MPRN from EON to X Supplier?

They haven't been asking for the MPRN - they take my address and say that they are unable to support my meter setup as it shows me as having one electricity meter and two gas meters.

This is for OVO in particular as they have come up with the cheapest quote by a reasonable margin.

Strange as the registration system ( was - I thought it still would be ) based on MPRN not address.

Could you change your address to 1a - get the change of supplier done, and then change back to 1?

Stupid really but I don't understand why they can't use the MPRN as the reference.

Moneysavingchap

DE_612183 said:

Moneysavingchap said:

DE_612183 said:

What are the suppliers saying when you say you want to move one MPRN from EON to X Supplier?

They haven't been asking for the MPRN - they take my address and say that they are unable to support my meter setup as it shows me as having one electricity meter and two gas meters.

This is for OVO in particular as they have come up with the cheapest quote by a reasonable margin.

Strange as the registration system ( was - I thought it still would be ) based on MPRN not address.

Could you change your address to 1a - get the change of supplier done, and then change back to 1?

Stupid really but I don't understand why they can't use the MPRN as the reference.

I would be loathe to do that - it isn't solving any issue and potentially making things more complex by introducing another address into the mix. My house is number 1 and theirs is number 2 - I don't see how this can be a complex thing to fix?

Phones4Chris

@Moneysavingchap What does the Data Base say for who are the suppliers for each MPRN?

Moneysavingchap

Phones4Chris said:

@Moneysavingchap What does the Data Base say for who are the suppliers for each MPRN?

1 Main Building, Main Building, High Street - Mine, Eon next, this is mine and is correct

1 Main Building, Main, High Street - British Gas (have now spoken to my neighbour at number 2 and the MPRN against this address is what they've been paying bills on, meter serial numbers align so they've been paying the correct bills as have I)

2 Main Building, High Street - British Gas

As above, after speaking to neighbour we are against both 1 Main Building addresses. I have no idea what meter the MPRN for 2 Main Building is against. 

A rather strange issue, British Gas refuse to help me as I am not a customer and they apparently have valued customers at the other addresses!

t0rt0ise

I have a similar thing going on with electricity meters also with British Gas who are not my supplier. They don't know where one of the meters for my address is and do nothing to find out. I have always been able to change suppliers by giving the MPAN number. Gas is similar but different with 3 of us being recorded at the same address and again I just give the MPRN number.

The problem with British Gas and the electricity meter for me seems to be unsolvable. I think it's sorted then I will suddenly get an estimated bill for the meter that isn't mine. The letter I had last week was from a debt collector so it gets no better. So good luck with British Gas but still, you ought to be able to change suppliers by giving the relevant number.

Moneysavingchap

t0rt0ise said:

I have a similar thing going on with electricity meters also with British Gas who are not my supplier. They don't know where one of the meters for my address is and do nothing to find out. I have always been able to change suppliers by giving the MPAN number. Gas is similar but different with 3 of us being recorded at the same address and again I just give the MPRN number.

The problem with British Gas and the electricity meter for me seems to be unsolvable. I think it's sorted then I will suddenly get an estimated bill for the meter that isn't mine. The letter I had last week was from a debt collector so it gets no better. So good luck with British Gas but still, you ought to be able to change suppliers by giving the relevant number.

I could probably change to Octopus as they seemed to take it, but not as good a deal as OVO which is frustrating. I spoke to the OVO call centre who wouldn't take the MPRN, obviously just using the same online tool I tried. I could fix with Eon Next again but it is just incredibly frustrating to be limited in my options due to British Gas error that is nothing to do with me.

Largs

On the OVO quote page where you input your postcode, press the button " I can't find my address" this allows you to enter your address manually and then further on it wants your meter numbers to proceed.  I only know this as I had problems with my own address.

Phones4Chris

@Moneysavingchap I would contact/email BG as a Formal complaint and state that they are listed as the supplier for this MPRN (quote it) incorrectly listed at 2 Main Building, High Street. It does not exist at no:1 or no:2
The correct MPRN (quote it) for 2 Main Building, High Street is listed as 1 Main Building, Main, High Street.
My neighbour at 2 Main Building is also making this complaint. Get your neighbour to copy your email to BG as well. Go on to say, If you fail to address this situation and correct the assignment of the correct MPRNs to the correct addresses, send a deadlock and/or we will go to the Ombudsman after 8 weeks if need be.