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Storage heaters and electric only property's.

3 replies

Alicemc96 · 07/12/2021 21:41

Hello everyone,
I'm at my witts end with British Gas.
So abit of the background story. About a year ago I had recieved a bill for over £1000 I queried this and we noticed that the serial number on the account was diffrent to the serial number on what I thought was my meter (the meter on my property) it turns out my meter is in the neighbouring property. Bearing in mind when I initially moved in I was told that was my meter and british gas came out to fit a smart meter and also checked the meter in my garden. So easily confused. I was told that my account and my neighbours accounts would be under investigation due to the account confusion. I followed this us fortnightly with them and was told a manager would be in touch after every phone call. No follow up. Then I recieved a letter stating that they where going to send ballifs to our house. I rang them again and they said to ignore this as the letter was just in circulation. A month later I recieved a letter saying that they where going to court to get a warrant to access my property to fit a smart meter. I rang them up again to query this, I made them aware I don't mind getting a pay as you go meter installed if they sort out the initial problem and I don't even up paying money I don't actually owe. They then said they will sort this and I will need to get back in touch to apply for a pay as you go meter. A week passed and a pay as you go card landed on my door step and electric was shut off the next day. Since then it has been costing us £10 a day electric. £310 a month I can't afford to put the storage heaters on and we are all huddled in one room. The washing is on once a day. It should not be costing this much but british Gas do not want to hear. I asked them if they had even considered there may be a fault in the meter and they put the phone down on me. The phone lines and online chat system are a shambles you wait over 1 hour to speak to someone and no one offers any help. I know my property is just electric but there is two adults and two babies in this house we aren't running Buckingham Palace just a two bed mid terrace house. I'm so fed up of getting no where.

OP posts:
FFSFFSFFS · 07/12/2021 21:44

Go to your MP. Make an official complaint to British Gas and after 8 weeks go to the energy ombudsman.

Hellocatshome · 07/12/2021 21:48

Sounds like they are taking money off your prepayment top ups to go towards the debt. Ask them how much your debt recovery rate is set at? Tell them that it causing you financial hardship. Financial hardship is the key phrase you need to use. They should reduce the debt recovery rate to a more affordable amount.

All4Love · 07/12/2021 21:49

We had this exact same problem with British Gas. Different meter number on physical meter and on monthly statement. Customer service was abysmal and it went on for months.

I gathered all evidence and pictures to complain to the Energy Ombudsman. I sent a final email and British Gas eventually conceded that they have the wrong meter number.

Be prepared to complain to the Energy Ombudsman.

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