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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I haven’t paid for any gas for 3 years. How to get out of it?

247 replies

Gastheif · 30/08/2022 10:16

I know I have been unreasonable, looking for advice.
had a smart meter fitted 3 years ago since then and despite the company sending out meter readers all bills I have received for gas say £0 usage.
I want to get out of this situation, ideally without having to pay it back and before the price hikes mean that I may have a debt I can’t even afford, also before government help starts.
if I switch supplier, do you think this will fix itself?
WWYD?

OP posts:
Mannymoomin · 30/08/2022 10:20

Is this a wind up?
if it’s not you’ll have to pay it back because you’ve obviously been using it.
Why on earth have you not notified them in the last three years?
Its obviously an error on their part, but you should have at least done the moral thing and alerted them to their error

Bumtum126 · 30/08/2022 10:20

Well you will probably have to pay it back. I suppose you could try and move supplier and see if some sort of glitch means you don't have to pay anything. It's going to be lucky if it happens.

Chikapu · 30/08/2022 10:20

Why have you never queried this with your supplier? You knew it was every time you received a bill for nothing.

Chikapu · 30/08/2022 10:21

*Knew it was wrong.

Thesearmsofmine · 30/08/2022 10:21

Yeah it doesn’t look great that you never queried this OP.

BlueReindeer · 30/08/2022 10:21

I think I remember someone posting by similar before if it wasn’t you. Have you put the money aside incase they come for it? Have you been taking your own readings?
I don’t think any suppliers are taking on new people but I’d guess changing supplier and just giving a new reading would be your best bet, but when your current supplier gets the new reading they’ll see it’s higher than your 0 and they’ll ask for your payment then.

phishy · 30/08/2022 10:22

I would try switching suppliers, yes.

Also, speak to CAB:

If your supplier tries to charge you for more than 12 months’ energy use, you should write to them.
Tell them that you’re protected by the back billing rules and should only be charged for 1 year's energy use.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/problems-with-your-energy-bill/you-havent-received-a-gas-or-electricity-bill-in-a-while/

Gensola · 30/08/2022 10:22

They can’t bill you for further back than 12 months

PonyTime · 30/08/2022 10:22

Mannymoomin · 30/08/2022 10:20

Is this a wind up?
if it’s not you’ll have to pay it back because you’ve obviously been using it.
Why on earth have you not notified them in the last three years?
Its obviously an error on their part, but you should have at least done the moral thing and alerted them to their error

Wrong

They can only charge up to one years of missed payments

GoneWithTheWine1 · 30/08/2022 10:22

I know someone who had the same problem, they were made it pay it all back. You can't use something and not pay it. You have a responsibility to sort it as you're clearly aware it's wrong.

PonyTime · 30/08/2022 10:23

You'll need to pay back some but not all

They can only charge you 12 months worth of missed payments

Call them up and ask for a payment plan

FourTeaFallOut · 30/08/2022 10:24

Move, change your identity and go on the run?

Otherwise, this might help. www.ofgem.gov.uk/check-energy-back-billing-rules

Mannymoomin · 30/08/2022 10:25

PonyTime · 30/08/2022 10:22

Wrong

They can only charge up to one years of missed payments

Show quote history

Well that’s alright then, OP clearly lacks some morals and probably won’t notify their energy company safe in the knowledge that once it is discovered they’ll only have 12 months bill to pay for

Sunnyqueen · 30/08/2022 10:26

I played a blinder with gas and electric companies a while ago, never had to pay it back when I started paying a different company, so don't panic too much. You may very well get away with it like I did. Switching is probably your best bet.

Original poster
Gastheif · 30/08/2022 10:35

Not a wind up and I haven’t posted previously. I didn’t notify them because I’m unreasonable, I thought it would sort itself out and the longer it went on the more anxious I got. I also was aware of back bill rules but thought it was two years, so thanks for that.

so is it not possible to switch atm? I haven’t read meter, smart meter reading is 0 surely actual meter is the same? And no, I haven’t put money aside.

OP posts:
MumofSpud · 30/08/2022 10:35

@Gastheif
We have the same problem - we have called / emailed numerous times and they just keep saying the readings / the meter are ok
We did a formal complaint but again they told us that that this has been investigated and they have found nothing wrong !!
We just get standing charges

Fm1 · 30/08/2022 10:35

Following as I’m in a similar situation.
I was with an energy supplier and another supplier took over my line in error, I hadn’t requested to switch. They then apologised and gave it back to original supplier. Since then I’ve not been charged any gas. I’m paying the daily standing charge for gas, submitting meter readings to them but they just aren’t charging me for usage on my bill. Not sure what to do either as the error has been going on 12 months now and I’m terrified of a huge bill.

Original poster
Gastheif · 30/08/2022 10:36

Seems quite a common problem then!

OP posts:
FarmerRefuted · 30/08/2022 10:41

Following too as in the same situation. My electricity meter doesn't count our usage so we'reonly billed standing charge for it, I've contacted the company numerous times and been told an engineer will call, no engineer has ever called. Contacted them again last week and was told engineers aren't doing home visits right now. If they try to back-bill me for 12 months I'm going to fight them on it as I've made efforts to rectify the situation and they've failed to act on it.

PinkDaffodil2 · 30/08/2022 10:41

Would it be worth making a note of the meter reading and maybe updating them before the price cap increase at the start of October? You don’t want to be charged for a whole years usage at the new unit rates.

SunnyD44 · 30/08/2022 10:41

What do you use gas for?

Lots if people have gas but have an electric oven so don’t actually use it.

I don’t think it is possible to switch right now and if you did your existing company will check your details anyway to send you a final bill.

Is your electricity and gas from the same people?

If so you could just play dumb and say you thought it was it one bill.
You can ask to set up a repayment plan.

PonyTime · 30/08/2022 10:42

Gastheif · 30/08/2022 10:35

Not a wind up and I haven’t posted previously. I didn’t notify them because I’m unreasonable, I thought it would sort itself out and the longer it went on the more anxious I got. I also was aware of back bill rules but thought it was two years, so thanks for that.

so is it not possible to switch atm? I haven’t read meter, smart meter reading is 0 surely actual meter is the same? And no, I haven’t put money aside.

I'd personally hold out until they notice

It's 12 months they can charge from when you notify them so I wouldn't be chomping at the bit to inform them

Sunflowergin · 30/08/2022 10:44

Phone your supplier today

take a reading from your smart meter

they can only charge for the last 12 months

Sunflowergin · 30/08/2022 10:44

Do your bills say actual or estimated? That is important here

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