British Gas have not submitted me a bill for 17 months due to them saying my account moved elsewhere which it didnt and now its back with them. Under the back billing code of practise I believe they cannot charge me for anything over 12 months. Ok - my account was closed Feb 2014 but they still collected my direct debit payments until Dec 2014 when they decided to send me a final bill closing my account at Feb 14 and I was in credit so they refunded me my credit balance. So from March - July 14 they cannot charge me for the gas? July 14 - to date I agree is chargeable. Can anyone help me or tell me how they work out the back billing as the chap I am dealing at B Gas is only offering a credit of £ 2.50 for back billing when I have calculated the units to be over £200. I feel he is calculating this incorrectly to their advantage. Can anyone help - I have the Citizens Advice on the case and am now considering the Ombudsman Thanks

When I first moved to this flat three or so years ago there was a card meter and I asked my electric company of twenty years, British Gas, to alter it to a 'normal' direct debit one. When their engineer came, he said that he couldn't because this meter and the other three flats' meters were all interconnected (back in the 60s) in such a way that to replace it correctly (& legally) meant ripping the whole wiring system up, which, he insisted, would entail a massive job because the whole apartment block and most of the road would have to be ripped up too. he instead tampered with my card meter a bit (not sure how legal that was) and said it was now direct debit. Since then I've received electricity no problem, but every bill has registered zero usage. Into the bargain, British Gas never sent someone to read the meter, despite my asking them to. After, say, 12 months, I was contacted by "Face2Face" (British Gas enforcers) who said they'd been trying to get access to the meter cupboard but insisted that I kept missing their appointments - totally not true. I actually sent them the key to the meter cupboard (situated outside the flats) and told them to access it whenever they wanted without needing me. Did that happen? No . During the last two years I received nothing but regular "We will get a warrant if you don't let us have access" letters, to which I always replied "YOU HAVE THE KEY", and then they'd apologise, but then a couple of months later I'd get another "We will get a warrant if you don't let us in" letter, and everything would be repeated. Moving forward to about two months ago, some Face2Face bully boys came around out of the blue saying they had a warrant. I pointed out that "YOU HAVE THE KEY", which resulted in their company giving me £150 as an apology after I complained, and also because management then admitted they had lost the key. The management then asked if I would grant their engineer access to the meter cupboard to change the meter today, which I of course agreed to. When their engineer and site foreman arrived, I discovered that they wanted to change the meter to another pre-payment meter, which I told them I preferred not to have thank you very much (and for reasons not worth going into, we luckily couldn't get into the meter cupboard anyway). The result of this was that they said that they'd come back in month, and that I should try to ask their management to ask British Gas if I can have a normal meter. The problem is, they said that they doubted British Gas will agree to that because there will be a large backlog of money owed on this meter. But I haven't caused that, they did. I'm also worried that they'll want any money owed at a rate of return that exceeds my meagre incomings. Any thoughts? Additionally, remembering that the last engineer who tried to change the meter said that doing so would mean a massive "knock down the building and tear up the road to do it properly" job, I'm assuming that the only way they can change the meter this time (without knocking the building down) is to, again, do a makeshift 'dodgy' job. But I suspect that this time they will set it up heavily in their favour!

I was a business customer of British Gas from 31st August 2009 - 31st of August 2014 and sold the business to another party. This new party had a visit from the RPU 3 weeks later and changed the GAS meter as they said it has been tampered with. 9 moths later I get a call from a collection agency saying I owe BG £134,000:-x:-x:-x I was shocked to say the least when I heard this and have been stressed ever since. I contacted RPU directly and they said that the meter has been tampered with resulting in the meter readings not being accurate( based on my actual meter readings they have had over the years) and since you are the previous tenant and based on the equipment you have been using the amount owed is £134K. For the record I have not tampered with the meter in anyway what so ever and suspect it has been done in the past from the previous owners. For the 1st year I did not use hardly use any GAS as I was renovating the building and for that year they say i owe £24K As it stands RPU have asked me to send them my email address so that they can reply with a serious of questions for me to answer to workout what I have actually used. I have not done that as seeking advice. I would appreciate you advice and guidance on this.

Hi, Since leaving British Gas, I called them up as soon as I moved, gave them my new address (logged the call, and the transfers thereafter as usual) and voila, was presented with a bill (just £150). 6 Weeks later, I get Moorcroft on the blower (some girl called Scarlet)... Heh, well I have fn flirting with her... In short, they didn't get too far with me... I got back to British Gas gas with a big "?" asking where the bill was so I could factor it into the other wads of monthly paperwork that I'm subjected to. Anyhow, They "didn't realise that I had left"... *sigh*.... so I had to go through a load of people to explain that I've moved, that they were called in time (weeks before I moved even as I was going to take them with me!) and they just never bothered to either call back or answer when i called. After moving to another company , I get "Moorcroft" on the phone again.. Despite all my pleasing and begging, Scarlet was busy and wasn't able tot make the call (BAH! Just my luck!)... Anyhow, I explained the situation to them ALL over again, who... mysteriously have amnesia and have no record dog contacting me at all. Despite reminding them of the dates, time etc.. of the calls, (the jokes we shares about Scarlet) they had no record. So this went back to British Gas. On to the Chairman! So i sent a stinking email to the chair (which of course was intercepted by his diligent "flack managers" and one of which called me up. Hours later, and weeks of frustration, they FINALLY took my details, (my actual new address), my new phone number, etc... and voila... I was given @20 which I was thankful for at the time. I triple confirmed with the manager at the time (although I think it was just a title they give their staff to keep people happy), that they would send me the bill (as I had a few if's about the final readings) and was guaranteed that I would (this came from the Execs office).. Now... 6 Weeks even further on... (today... well last night)... I got Moorcroft on the phone again. And seeing as the somewhat enchanting Scarlet wasn't available.. nor was I *click*... I'm at a loss as to what I can do about this. 1) British tarnishing the credit record that I've been bloody working hard at to keep clean 2) Moorcroft aren't helping (yet Scarlet dampened that blow) Literally all in all this has taken up a full day (working hours) to get to this point and I have a sh***y feeling that it will for a while longer. Any tips as to how I should approach this? Cheers, A

I have a couple of hundred pounds owing to British Gas which I have been late paying and now I have received a threatening letter headed "British Gas" and "Richburns Ltd", addressed to the The Occupiers or Occupiers. The letter says, Removed indentifying info ] They intend to visit the house this week and are threatening to apply for a Warrant of Entry if I do not comply. This is causing me a lot of worry as I already suffer from anxiety and am diagnosed with two chronic conditions. I have been paying the gas bills but on the last two quarterly bills I paid £100 less than the amount asked as I had to prioritise my debts. The problem is I don't have a tenancy and I don't own the house. I don't want to give my details as I have agreed to leave the house on very short notice due to a domestic situation and don't want to risk bills being racked up in my name (which unfortunately has happened to me in the past). My Questions are; 1. Am I obliged to register my details with the utility company because I still pay the bills, even if not always on time? 2. Can they legally break into the house and fit a prepayment meter, which I don't want, as I have young toddler and I will struggle to get out and buy prepayment cards? 3. How should I deal with Richburns, as I have hardly slept for worrying, since receiving the letter from them? please ask me any questions and I will be as honest as I can.

Hi Years my bills have always been around £300 from October - December. However according British Gas they last recorded actual meter reading from my property since September 2013. Since September 2013 all my gas and electric bill has been based on estimates. For the period of October - December 2014 my bill has been £707 which is double the amount what I would normally. In the past I have always called up to make payments and at the same time giving actual meter readings. There has been no changes in my life and I have been using the central heating periodically similar for the past four years. The BG advisor calculated and worked out that I am using 2.2 units of gas per day. I accept that during winter times the heating is on more during summer, however a good portion of the day we are all out. Kids at school, I'm at work. My wife does the house errands and teaches during the evening time. Each time the central heating is being used we only leave it for an hour then its switched off. I suspect it could be the meter but if the meter is not at fault I end up paying a call out charge. It seems so harsh that British Gas never leave calling cards and they expect you to do all the chasing. I dont have the money to pay such a high bill. Can anyone advice how I can challenge this. Best Wishes

Please can anyone give me any advice on what I can do please I have a prepayment meter with British Gas and I haven't been able to afford to put any money in it. I am unemployed and was just about managing then I got a benefit sanction of over 6 months and in that time I've not had any gas because I can't afford it, but I have still been getting charged and I now owe over £87 in the meter. So I would have to pay that of first and then put more money in to actually get gas Can they do this, charge for gas when its not been used? Is there anyway of me getting my gas put back on as I hate having no hot water or heating and all this has been going on for so long now, I just want it sorted out Thank you for reading this

I moved to my current address late December 2012. There was a gas meter in a utility cupboard just by the front door of my flat. I have not consumed a single "breath" of gas since moving in. Indeed gas has not been used in this flat for a number of years past. Back in 2012 I contacted BG to come and remove the meter. Quelle suprise: nothing happened. Recently someone came to read the meter. I told the meter reader that I had asked for its removal. "Thats ok Sir, let my take your details and I'll get that done for you" says he. I unwittingly gave my name, Dob etc., and the date that I moved in (day before calling them asking to remove the meter). 48 hours later I received a bill for £118.29p from British Gas for the "outstanding" standing charges for the meter from the day I moved into my flat. A week later the meter was indeed officially removed................................... However. I have since been inundated with further bills and demands for payment, threat of all kinds of action and lots of nuisance calls from them. Where do I go from here, I live on Pension Credit and cannot afford to pay for a service which I have never used. Please contact me with any help you can give.

This also works out of hours, if you tell the advisor you have a heart condition (i.e. Angina) and high blood pressure they prioritise your call! What ever the time of day! Why be fobbed off when you pay for the service?

Hello to All I am new to the site and looking for some advice. I have just got hold of the list of charges that British Gas have applied to my account over the last 2 years. My question is, can I deduct them when I make my next payment when I get their invoice? I was thinking that as long as I paid teh fuel fees but not the charges could they cut me off for not paying their late payment charges? Cheers Gareth

Hi Everyone I have an account on my credit file for British Gas which shows a balance of £900 for a property I resided at in 2012. I have written to British Gas to request information relating to the account and to set up a repayment plan. British Gas are reluctant to provide any information relating to the account or balance and referred me to Past Due Credit solutions informing me they are managing the account. When I contacted PDC they informed me the account was closed and the were no longer handling it. Again I referred this info back to British Gas where my complaint was escalated to "Tier 3" after a lengthy discussion I was informed the account was reopened with PDC and to contact them for repayment. However again PDC has informed me they are not handling the account and it is closed with them Where do I stand with this? British Gas continue to have a negative affect on my credit file with monthly updates yet refuse to allow me to make a payment to the account, any advice on what to do next. Thanks

Hi Everyone, I am having a dispute with BG over a gas meter. I moved into my property in November 2013, there was no gas in the property but there was an outside meter which wasn't connected to any gas pipes in my property so I just left it like that. The dials on the meter were all at zero. About 6 months later I recieved a bill for £26 for having the meter there and was told this was a standing charge for it. In November 2014 they sent someone out to remove the meter. I told BG that I was going to look into the charge a few weeks later I got a bill for £55, maybe i shouldn't have but I ignored this bill then got sent another bill a few months later for £75. When I phoned up to ask why I had got this latest bill they told me that the meter at my property was my responsibility and that it cost 0.26p a day for having it there. I have now had debt collectors threatening to take me to court if I don't pay up. I don't think I should be paying for something that I haven't used, I'm not even a BG customer! I wish I had taken the advice of this website and kept track of phone calls and kept all the bills but i just ignored it, I just thought that it was so stupid that I was being charged for something that I've never had that BG would see sense and dismiss the dispute. Can anyone give me advice on what to do next as I don't think that I should be paying British Gas for anything.

Well then when i moved i still had a small amount outstanding to British Gas I have now been contacted by a company called LCS on behalf of British Gas saying they have been instructed by there client to collect said amount Who are LCS, are they British Gas and do they put on any collection fees uses

We live in a small, one-bedroom apartment in central London. Roughly 45 m2 with fairly good insulation. Our bills for 2014 were 49, 64, 37, 36 and 34 pounds for a total of a bit over 200. So far this year, our bills are £467 and £236 - the second bill alone being higher than the 2014 aggregate. We have contacted British Gas for an explanation after the £467 bill which they told us was a retrospective adjustment as our use was higher than they expected, but this doesn't seem very credible, especially with the next two months coming in at £236. Is there anyone we can contact to have this investigated? Is there anyone with experience with this - is their claim even plausible or is someone stealing our gas?

Hi I have tried numerous times via british gas to get rid of both my gas and electric pre payment meters and they said because my credit score is low they will not do. I am putting £30.00 per week in my gas and £20.00 per week in my electric. I have never had my meters checked in the 10years I have lived at the property. I did have arrears but these were paid up around 5 years ago. I asked them to check my meters and they said I did not need to have this done. I am spending over £2000 per year yet my gas statement says £600.00 and electric £350.00. Please someone advise

Hi, Just joined because I have a specific question I'd like to ask. Hope it is ok to post this here. I think my electricity supplier has miscalculated my bill, and I just want to check that I am working it out correctly. I'll try to give as much info as I can. I moved into my current address on the 18th June 2014. I have one of those dual meter things, but I am paying the same tariff on both. The readings when I moved in were 11664 and 24844. The readings now are 12572 and 26660, and the tariff is 12.62p per unit and an additional 26p per day (both including VAT). So I get 26660-24844=1816 for the night meter and 12572-11664=908 for the day meter, which adds up to 2724 kWh. So, 2724*12.62p=£343.77. Plus the daily charge (228 days) of 228*26p=£59.28, totaling £343.77+£59.28=£403.05. Since I moved in, I have paid £385 (£50 a month and one month at £85), I am expecting to be £18.05 in debit, but they are telling me that since my last estimated bill in November of £220.95 that I owe £344!!! I phoned them about this, and she ran the argument that my November bill was only an estimate -- which I understand - - but since I have worked out my bill from when I moved in (with actual un-estimated readings) I think I should have only been charged the £403.05 in total since June? Is this correct? Have I calculated my bill correctly, and if so, what should I do to challenge them? Also, if they are correct, can they demand tho whole amount of money at once via direct debit, or just increase the payments? Thanks in advance.

Hi, I am wanting to change from using prepayment meters for my gas and electric and going onto DD. British Gas have done a credit check on me and it failed, he told me to maybe check with Expedia to see if my credit file is wrong. I know it's right as I have a couple of CCJs. Am I now stuck on prepayment meters for ever, I wouldn't mind but they were already in the house when I moved in and when I asked for them to be removed they said there was a charge for removing them. I refused to pay it as I never had them installed. Topping up my gas is costing me about £40 week with British Gas and my electric is £20, it's crippling me. I've started to sit with candles on( which is nice ) and I have my gas on for 2 hours in the morning and the same on an evening. And help advice would be good, thanks in advance.

. . . . . .(see attached) emailed 21.1.2015 to all at BG Centrica, FAO: British Gas / Centrica - B Gas visits intended to harass; HR8 and UK Nationwide re. “job reference .................. B Gas / Face 2 Face” Warning of legal action - please read carefully Currently, the electric ppt meter holds a credit balance of £84. If you continue to have difficulties with this, you may if you wish outline these via email or by normal letter to me. You may also be aware that there has been a history of alleged criminal nuisance harassment at this address, courtesy of a gas fitter whose work is below the standard required by Gas Safe Register. (And, similarly asked to leave of course.) Inappropriate and badgering behaviour by BG and its minions via telephone or via attempted personal contact with me will immediately cease. You are also advised that BG do not have the presumed licence to trespass on my property. That is withdrawn for the reasons outlined. Further harassment via BG - more than likely commissioned by the gas fitter’s behaviour - will be dealt with robustly. If required, a legal claim will be considered against BG / F2F for compensation for nuisance and distress, along with the customary adverse media attention.

I tried to start a new thread, but there was option to do so. I received a bill for £87 from British Gas, no gas used at all, it was for standing charges!!!!! I phoned up to complain but was told it came into force last October and that I must pay it regardless. I questioned the ethics of charging people for nothing, and the guy said that if the gas pipes etc were faulty they would repair/replace them and that this was the reason. I said it was like the mafia who would protect you if you were ever attacked by anybody however slim the chance. The guy laughed and then asked if I felt I had received good service from the call, I told him I was going to the papers..... I have since discovered Ebico with no standing charges and have applied to switch.

I was caught for about 3 weeks between contracts. The old supplier was british gas. Today they sent me their final bill, the problem i find with it is the standing charge, it is £1.16p per day, is that exessive. I do have some paperwork that suggests the standing charge out of contract is around 46p per day. This is a micro business. Do i ring them up and ask what is going on or take it on the chin regards to all

I have an oral warning from an staff of BG revenue protection team to cut off my gas supply if I do not pay £9k by Wednesday. He changed to £10k after my so many calls to him in the past few days. I was accused to tamper their gas meter which is located in my shop unlocked in a cabinet, that I do not do. I was showed the proof of tampering by a company called scienco in Bristol. Ok, the story is that. a year or 2 ago, there was a BG guy came and asked to see the meter. So he was shown where the meter was and was left alone. After 5 minutes or more, I was wondering what he was doing and taking so much time there. I went out to ask him and he said the blue seal on top of the clock of the meter had sign of being tampered. so I checked it and told him there was no scratch as he told me. I asked a friend of mine and my wife to look at it. They all said there was nothing, no mark. then he said to me the meter seemed not working cos it did not move while he was there looking at it. so what he would do is to have the meter taken away for test and I would be informed. Since then, there was no letter from BG and everything was forgotten. Two months ago, there were 2 BG guys came to my shop to ask to see the meter. So they were showed to the meter. I was alone at the shop and staying with them at the very beginning after they arrived. I mentioned what happened the previous visit by their colleague. I told them about the blue seal on top of the clock of the meter. and i even put my finger on it to show them. And they told me it seemed fine to them but they need to inspect it thoroughly. I left them and went back to do my work. When I looked out from inside of my shop. I noticed 1 of the guy was pushing very hard on something with his whole body. I thought it was weird so went to ask them what they were doing. They said he was getting an imprint of the serial number on the top of the seal with something like a blue tac. Actually I saw him doing that when I was looking at them. Before they left, I was told it seemed the meter was in good condition. He found nothing suspicious but to be sure the meter would be taken away for test to find out if it was slow. Then I told them it was ok. I did not check the meter at all cos i was so busy then and also of the guys' assurance of the state of the meter. a week or 2 later, 1 of the BG guy came back and asked the meter to be taken away straight away. I told him no because my shop was about to open in an hour and I needed gas to do preparation. I told him off why he did not send me a letter to arrange it and he said he did. I had never received any letter from him whatsoever. So he called me sometimes later and we arrange the date. My wife was so suspicious about it so she called BG on the following to confirm about the meter removal. They came back on 26/11/13 and took away the meter and replaced it with a new 1. Even then the BG guy still kept on telling me the meter seemed ok. as far as he said there was no damage of the blue seal. Last week, the BG guy came to my shop and showed me the report. It clearly showed there were damage of the blue seal and a scratch on a metal which was said inside the meter. I was so shocked because I did not do it. My mind was blank and he went to give me an estimate how much gas I STOLE for the last 6 years. He said a figure which was more than £6k. of cos I stard to challenge him about the tampering and the estimate. Then he was so pixxed off and he changed the estimate to nearly £9k. Then he left with an oral warning, pay up or cut off on wednesday. and he did not even give me any statement or invoice of the estimate and the warning letter too. He demanded me to pay to him directly. I told him I had not have £9k in my saving and i needed to arrange with BG about the payment. But he said there was nothing to do with BG and i had to pay him with cash or visa card but no cheque allowed. we started to get panic and angry. what can we do? pay up the amount that I do not owe or let them to ruin my business with no gas.

This has been going on for 7 years apparently. Full story.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30214471

Hi Forum. I am currently a BG customer, for three years, prior to that EON for a additionalr three years. Myself and my better half live in a tiny two beds (chocolate box) cottage, single fuel (electricity), No gas main, multi fuel stove burner which keeps the house reasonably warm in colder months. For many years we have always disputed and questioned the high costs with both Utility companies. After many years of being made to feel like we are going mad, and with the suggestion from both companies "are you sure you want to go-ahead with the meter check, it will cost you if you are proven wrong" attitude by both EON & BG we finally decided to proceed with a meter check, we were advised that this check would be via an independent! It was actually carried out BG themselves. Results - The engineer who attended professionally used the phrased "goosed" to confirm that as we had suspected over many years, the box is fast running. BG took over a week to acknowledge this and the reaction to resolving the faulty equipment has been disappointing, enough for me to ask for senior member of staff to deal with the matter. BG have now offered a monetary value, zero interest applied, no additional compensation applied, just what seems to be monetary payment with regards to over payment (I do not know the formula used to calculate their offer?) EON initial response was very professional to begin with, but now the worm has turned and they have become some may say, quiet bullish in their opinion. I am aware of the complaints procedures that I have to follow, I have logged a case reference with CAB, I will use the 14 days period of notice, followed by an additional 8 weeks if I am not satisfied with conclusion. Thereafter the ombudsman directly. I have been advised not to let the faulty meter be taken away, this advise actually came from the regulatory body who will determine further checks on the meter if we fall further into dispute with our current suppliers, I understand that meter examiners are employed by SGS and a point of contact here advised at no costs let them take the meter until we are satisfied fully with the outcome of dispute. The same kind contact advised me that beware that on the day, if the meter happens to perform correctly then it may not work in your favour!!! So right now I am confused about how best to approach this case! once I have exhausted the official process of complaint with the energy companies; Q can I claim compensation in excess of what would be the standard overpayment due to the fast running meter? Q are we entitled for interest to be applied to any overpayments made? Q should I allow the meter to be replaced? Q should I request a checking meter sit side saddled to my current meter? Q is their a maximum claim applicable to this kind of case and can I use effect on lifestyle (true) etc etc to make my claim for compensation stronger? Sorry for so many questions but I am now feeling a little bogged down with different opinions, at least BG by offering a figure is acknowledging the faulty meter. I look forward to the forums responses. Kindest regards

Hi Does anyone know the direct contact details for the current CEO of British Gas? I did search this on the forum, but could only find details and info from 2009...... Any help, very welcome. Lindsay

Hi, was hoping for some advice on the best way to try to get some compensation. We had a 'homecare' maintenance agreement with BG for about 5 years, they came out for an initial assesment and have serviced it every year with some additional visits for the odd breakdown (so far so good). On one occasion the engineer stuffed some tissue around the flue exit hole behind the boiler and told my wife 'the next time your husband does some diy with cement, get him to fill that opening in'. We have recently swapped companies and the new company engineer arrived to do an initial boiler inspection. He shut down our boiler and said 'it is too dangerous to use'. The reasons are that the flue is not sealed inside at the exit hole (just behind the boiler where the tissue is), and also not sealed outside the house at the external exit hole. He also told us if the wind is blowing in a certain direction it is possible that the fumes from the flue will blow back into the house. He explained that these could blow back into the cavity wall space and exit in the kids bedrooms (where we have loft conversion storage space). We do have a co2 monitor outside the airing cupboard but he said it may not activate until it's too late. We were horrified at this, a Gas Safe engineer has also been and just sent us his finished report which completely agreed that this is a very dangerous situation. I know BG are not at fault for the installation of the bolier but surely they should have alerted us to this state of affairs at the initial inspection or subsequent service visits. Not sure what the best way forward is, we contacted BG customer care and they assured us someone would get back to us, but that was 2 weeks ago. Any replys greatfully appreciated.