@britishgashelp British Gas standing charge

[mollymop]

Hi

 

Please can someone offer me some advice on this matter.

 

I have been living in my Housing Association property since 2011 which I rent through my LA. I have been receiving letters from British Gas addressed to "The Occupier" saying that money is owed for gas supply to the property. I have called them on several occasions informing them that I do not have a gas supply to my property, I only have an electric cooker and the heating is included in the rent. Despite me calling them several times to let them know this, I am still receiving letters addressed to "The Occupier" saying that £301 is owed.

 

I have just come to know about the 26p standing charge for just having a meter, when I called them this evening and I even had to force this information out of them as I am not the registered occupier (according to them) I had no idea about this and it was not made known to me when I took on the tenancy nor when I have called BG, I have always been told it was for gas supply to the property.

 

My main concern is that they have sent a letter saying that they have a warrant to gain access to my property, they will change the locks and I will have to contact them for access.

 

I just want to know if they can do this, do I need to prepare myself and take the day off work. I have not seen any warrant. Will they send this to me?

Edited December 23, 2015 by mollymop

[martin2006]

If they are simply addressed to "the occupier" they can be ignored and filed in the circular file otherwise known as the bin.

 

There is a statute which allows them to do that yes.

Last time i checked it was the Rights of Entry act (gas and electricity) 1954.

It may have been updated since then but it is legal for them to effect entry although they do need a warrant

[citizenB]

If you don't have a gas supply, then I fail to see why they are persecuting you like this.

 

I think you need to cease telephoning them and write a formal complaint to the CEO at their Head/Registered office. You need to head your letter "Formal Complaint"

 

Point out to them that you do NOT have a gas supply and that your electricity is supplied by XYZ. That if they continue to harass you in this way you will escalate your complaint to the Ombudsman.

 

Send the letter by a tracked method if you can afford it. If not, then do at least obtain a free proof of posting from the Post office counter.

[mollymop]

Seriously?? Someone can break into my property whilst I'm at work without me seeing the warrant or me knowing about this standing charge until this evening. I was never informed when I signed my tenancy that I would have to pay this standing charge and I have never entered into any agreement with BG.

 

Thank you for the advice citizenB and Martin

 

Apparently it is for a 26p a day (for the last 5 years) standing charge for merely having the meter, sending out bills and having someone come and read a meter that has not been used since May 2011 when I moved in. It's not even inside my flat so why they need to threaten me with a warrant to gain access is beyond me. I have done all the right things and don't even have the energy anymore.

 

I give up! I thought TV Licensing were bad but if BG can just gain access like that, they are obviously more powerful than I thought.

[citizenB]

I will ask others with more knowledge to look in on you.

[dx100uk]

you don't get to see or know about the warrant.

 

 

however as you state the meter is not in your property

you should inform the CEO of this in your complaint.

 

 

its also rather telling that they have NOT sent quarterly bills in the last xx yrs?

 

 

if so, even if you did owe them money

they can only back bill 12mts.

 

 

you need to point that out too.

 

 

dx

[Bailiff Advice]

Sadly this is a subject that I know very little about. I will make some 'Google' enquiries.

 

You say that you have received a letter advising that the gas company have a warrant. Does the letter provide you with a date when they are intending to enforce the warrant?

[Old Cogger]

British Gas

 

 

Mr Mark Hodges Managing Director

 

Email [email protected]

Telephone 01753 494343 (Direct)

Switchboard 01753 494000

Website http://www.britishgas.co.uk

Social Media T F

 

Postal Address Millstream, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5GDM

Company Number 06723244C

Company Status Active (Established 14/10/2008)

 

See also Customer Services

Companies House data

[mollymop]

Thank you all for your advice.

 

The warrant is 4th January 2016.

 

They have sent bills but I had no idea that these were just for a daily 26p a day standing charge (that I understand came into effect 2013) as the bill did not state this and when I called, they said it was for gas being supplied. If I had known about this charge I would have had the meter cut off in 2013 or when I moved in. I honestly had no idea and I will not be duped into paying this when I should have been informed in advance that there would be extra costs on top of my rent.

[martin2006]

So where exactly is the meter?

Do you live in a communally heated block of flats?

Or is the meter solely for your property?