British Gas - received bill almost 2 years later

[Stormbringer]

I just received my first gas bill from British Gas for the period dated 19 May 2006 to 27 March 2008.

A few concerns:

All the meter readings listed are estimated, even though I called about 3 times giving them an accurate meter reading (this was back in 2006 and 2007 when I realised I wasn't receiving a bill and they requested a meter reading). I only have record of one meter reading for 30 May 2006 which was 02175. The bill shows an estimated reading for 3 September 2006 for 02179.

BG have offered me a credit of £386 for gas use as the bill covers a period greater than one year but they can't prove an accurate meter reading, so I believe this credit is not as much as it should be. Since I did not keep a record of the dates and meter readings when I called (lesson learned!!), I can't prove that I was underestimated during this period and should therefore receive a larger credit, which I believe I am entitled to. So what do I do?

Their accompanying letter states: "As this bill covers a period greater than one year we have given you an allowance of £386 that will show as a credit on your bill. This means you only need to pay for usage over the last year."


My other question is about the info that appears on Energywatch:

However, as a result of the ‘super-complaint’ submitted by energywatch in April 2005 to the energy regulator, Ofgem (see below), energy companies have been told that, as of July 2006, they should no longer bill for any energy used by consumers more than two years previously where the company themselves has failed to provide a bill. As of July 2007, energy companies will be expected not to bill for any amount that dates back longer than a year.

energywatch: Billing Basics

If I understand this correctly, as I am just a few months' shy of the two year period from July 2006, I don't qualify not being billed for two years. However, I do qualify for the July 2007 date, which means I only pay for usage from 27 March 2007 onwards (as the last billing date on my bill is 27 March 2008 .) Is this correct?

Again, all meter readings are estimates... so how can they prove to me that I am paying an accurate amount now and that the credit they have given me is fair? On the other hand, I did not keep records of the 2 meter readings I called in back in 2006 and 2007. (You would think they would have a record of my calls in my customer profile... do I challenge them on this?)

So do I just pay this bill, accept the credit as is and move on... with a huge lesson learned to keep providing meter readings through their website or automated meter reading service? Maybe it's not worth the hassle. Or is it?

Any advice is very much appreciated.

[car2403]

Usually, what will happen is that they will ask you to read the meter now and give that to them - you can then calculate your average daily usage and work back based on that average.

Energywatch also say that they should allow you as much time to pay the bill as it took to accrue it - so if you divide that amount by 24 months, that would be the amount they'd expect from you, IMHO. (On top of your current usage, of course)

[2Grumpy]

I found that if you ask BG what formulae they use for estimating bills they won't tell you

You can howeved dispute the bill. You can also ask how they arrived at each of their estimated figures. (I would ask for them to provide that in writing because there will be so many of them).

If you scan & upload the bills minus personal details or post the bill details (date, reading, actual/estimated units, etc (everything) (you can put items in columns with headings) then maybe we could suggest whether they were reasonable, especially with your single actual reading.

What do you use gas for? Cooking & central heating?

Were the first and last reading actual or an estimate?
If the first reading was an estimate, you should add all readings from the last actual reading prior to this bill!

Roughly the bill you have to pay aught to be in the order of 12/22 of the total, plus an allowance for gas price increases

Grumpy

[Stormbringer]

Thanks for the info everyone. The calculations seem to work out so I have paid the bill and will keep track of my meter readings from now on.

By the way, I got a letter informing me that they have been unable to access my meter over the last 18 months. They have given me a specific date for them to come and inspect the meter and go on to say that if they are unable to do so, due to their legal obligation, they will have no option but to apply to a Magistrate for authority to enter the property.

That's quite funny given the fact that I live in a development and the meter is not in my apartment. All meters are in a locked room in a communal area by the entrance! This can only be accessed by the concierge who has the key. There was nothing stopping BG from inspecting the meters. It just goes to show how ignorant they are and I believe this letter is an exercise to cover their behinds... since they now just noticed that they haven't billed me in 22 months!

We shall see if anyone comes on the specific date they gave me. Either way, I will be writing to them and letting them know that if they apply to a Magistrate to enter my apartment, they will be doing so erroneously!