Gas meter reading

[Gwenhwyfar]

Hi
I'll be leaving my flat soon. My gas company is badgering me for a reading. This is obviously not in my interests having been working from home for four months so I'd much rather pay based on an estimate. Can I just not give a reading? Would they come after me afterwards?
TIA

You have to give an accurate reading when you leave a property. If you don't give it to them the new tenant probably will. The new tenant could even give them a higher reading and you'd end up paying for their first few weeks.

@Gwenhwyfar

"You need to give a reading so you pay for what you have used and don't leave the next tenant with a debt hanging over them."

Why would the next tenant have to pay? The flat is managed by agents who would change the names so it would be clear when I leave and when the next person starts.

But the date you left means nothing without an accurate reading.

Say the actual gas reading was 35000

But the company estimated 34500 which is what you paid

The next tenant moves in and after a month the reading is 35500

The new tenant ends up paying for an extra 500 units that they didn't use, that you used and should have paid for.

Why would working from home increase your gas bill?

Increased heating and potentially extra cooking in the day.

Plus lots of extra heating up of hot water for all the hand washing we've been doing.

Why would the next tenant have to pay? The flat is managed by agents who would change the names so it would be clear when I leave and when the next person starts.
So who is going to pay the difference between your estimate and what you've actually used then? You're either a really CF or this post is a wind up. Theft is theft however big the corporation is.

@NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1

Why would working from home increase your gas bill?

I thought I explained that - heating obviously. In April I had the heating on almost constantly. That will cost loads. My electricity bill has also doubled, but that wasn't as high to begin with. I will give them a reading having read what you've all said.

"for April and May the weather was scorching"

Scorching in April? Not here it wasn't.

Christ you're a horrendous person OP. As if you even thought this was an acceptable thing to do 🤷‍♀️

It's not in your best interests to give a reading as you've had to work from home. Why should you not pay for the fuel you have used?

I've been on furlough for 15 weeks now. My bills have gone up, so I increased my direct debit to cover that. Because I pay for what we use.

You say 'you know nothing about my commute', but if you work from home you have no commute.

This has to be a joke? What adult living away from their parents would think they can run away from their bills and only pay an estimated bill. Get a grip. How would you feel if you moved and the ex tenants did the same leaving you with their debt?

Honestly, this sadly happens a lot in rented accommodation so I can believe it's real.

You're being silly and childish. Pay your bill.