@britishgashelp electric estimated readings for 4 years

[lor6126]

Hi im looking for advice,

 

came home last week to a meter readers card on doorstep from british gas.

 

Its the first anyone has ever been to read it in four years.

 

They send me emails with an estimated amount for gas/electric and i have been paying what they ask.

 

Unfortunately, its been grossly underestimated and

 

i now owe them £1008 for electricity which they want back at £120 a month.

 

I was so relieved they were willing to spread it out that i accepted that payment plan at once.

 

However, iv now had time to think about it, im off work ill on ssp and will really struggle to pay that every month, as well as my current usage, and then gas on top.

 

Is it possible from others experience, they will accept a lower amount?,

i appreciate i used it but surely they should have read the meter in four years?.

 

My other query is,

if some of this electricity was used over a long period, is it fair iv been charged for it all at current prices?

 

im worried sick over this, so thank you for any advice.

[dx100uk]

I would certainly be talking to them

 

you are right that they should not be charging todays prices too for all of it!

 

by law they have to inspect/read a meter every 2yrs

 

why have you not been sending meter readings via their website?

 

you could have avoided this too.

 

dx

[lor6126]

Yes, i should have been sending them readings, just never dreamed there would be such a difference. Does anyone have an idea of the lowest monthly payment they might accept? or if they refuse to base some of the bill on previous years prices, where i go from there.

Edited November 7, 2013 by lor6126
add on

[dx100uk]

theres no set limit high or low

 

threres no rules or regs either

it upto you and them.

 

of course they'll want as much as they can get

and prob quote their contract period or something.

 

I've known debt a big as +£1500 being paid off at £20PCW

 

dx

[nottslad]

I agree with DX - it is a commercial decision of the supplier.

 

have they ever sent letters asking for reads? it may be worth you raising a formal complaint with them to ask them to apply the billing code, whereby they can only back bill for one year. Without knowing the ful circumstances it is difficult to say whether it will apply or not

[dx100uk]

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