Update re previous posts: I contacted Consumer Focus as advised by Juicebuster and I followed CF's advise to pay in order to restore power immediately to the property ,and to then send a letter of complaint stating that I paid under duress and that I expected to be refunded. CF also raised the issue at a meeting with BG. I subsequently received a call from BG agreeing that the Revenue Propection Team had unfairly charged me as I hadn't profited in any way from the tenant's action and BG refunded the fee. Thanks for your responses and advice.

Hi! Thanks to you both for the replies and the information. I'll speak to Consumer Focus and I'll update the forum on the outcome.

I am now facing this same problem! The tenant has just absconded, she owed rent and has left the place in a bit of a mess. My management company have emailed me to say: 'The biggest problem, however, is the electric meter or rather the lack of. Having checked with British Gas they have informed us they removed the meter as they had found it had been by-passed (looped). British Gas informed us they will not fit a new meter unless the LANDLORD pays £640. The tenant was responsible for payment and also looping the meter. We have argued this point for half an hour on the phone with British Gas, but they will not budge. If you would like to speak to British Gas yourself their telephone number is 0800 048 0202 and ask for the Revenue Protection Team. Perhaps you will have more luck.' If anyone can advise or give me an update on their efforts I'd be very grateful.