British Gas forced entry & fitted PP meter for prev tenants debt!!

[Crotalus]

Hi, my first post here. Il try and keep to facts and bullet points.

 

I moved into a rental flat on Saturday 8th June, well i started moving our things in.

 

Prior to this, the landlady had been receiving letters addressed to The Occupier, the previous tenant had left debt with British Gas. Landlady spoke to BG on a few occasions and informed them the tenant had left and provided a forwarding address. LL was assured that was an end to the matter.

 

4 other letters arrived from BG saying they were applying to Court for a warrant to fit a PP meter due to previous debt. Again, LL sent a letter via recorded delivery repeating the facts. LL was assured action was cancelled.

 

LL received a letter from BG saying they had been granted a warrant to enter the property to fit a meter. Once again calls and letters were sent. All the correspondence from BG was addressed to *The Occupier*.

 

With the prospect of forced entry looming, LL once again, was assured by BG the action had been cancelled, no PP meter would be fitted. BG were told that the meter was outside anyway. LL even quoted the law to BG, they accepted the debt was not for me ( previous tenant was a male, im a girl). At this point i`d taken tenancy with 2 weeks in lieu to move in , decorate a little ect, i called BG to start a new account.

 

I keep reptiles so i moved the snakes in first to settle. My son is only 9, im a single parent and he adores his pet snake. So as we were moving in, to make things smoother, me and my son stayed with family till flat was ready.

 

3 days after i moved the snakes in, i went to the flat to finish some wallpapering. When i opened the door it was like a furnace hitting me. It was over 100 degrees in there. Remember the first heat wave we had? We for this reason, i had turned the gas off completely, leaving the snakes with a Stat for temp control.

 

First thing i noticed was paperwork on my coffee table, from BG addressed to the Occupier saying they had fitted a meter outside, i was to pay the debt at 25 pounds per week! no copies of warrants ect. Then it dawned on me, BG had turned the heating on, full.

 

I checked the animals and found my sons Corn snake dead, over heated. The Boa and Python made it, but only because i got there just in time for them.

 

Furious, i called BG, after talking to a moron who refused to put me through to a manager,he said they would call back - that was 4 weeks ago.

 

My son refuses to stay in the flat, we had to bunk down with friends and family since then. My kid is now staying with my sister - he wont come home as "But the bad man will get in and kill Irwin and Missy like they did to Coco" . Its broken my heat to see him sat there with his dead pet crying. Despicable barstools.

 

BG have since ignored me and told me they had a right to do what they did and the meter stays. I got my MP involved and BG have agreed to remove the meter but thats it. Not a apology or anything. This has left me out of pocket by £300+ you cannot stay with people that length of time without contributing financially.Plus transport to school and back ect. Not to mention im having to pay someone to house my snakes as my kiddo is too scared to have them home. We are going to have to move again.

 

I dont know what to do about this? Any help please?

[Crotalus]

Can i also add that the bottom line is this: BG knew the tenant had left and i was taking the tenancy over. They agreed it was not my responsibility but they IMO sneakily and slyly went to court anyway. I have just taken a call from BG admitting they did know the account was disputed and admitted ( after being told we had sent letters registered) a *mistake had been made*

A mistake does not bring little Coco back, nor does it reassure my son he is safe in his own home.

[Crotalus]

I made a formal complaint in writing the day after it happened. Its now been upgraded to a stage 2 complaint, BG have to try and resolve the matter before the Ombudsman becomes involved. I have, however, already submitted a complaint to them. BG told me they do not have the finances available to compensate me and my boy to a level that reflects the severity of what they have done.

 

Yesterday was the first time i was back at the flat since and i have noticed a lot of damage to the door frame. I have a couple of questions please.

 

Which energy supplier do you guys recommend. I told BG i am terminating the contract.

 

Would BG have had to leave a copy of the warrant?

 

All i got was a note on BG notepaper saying what they have done, how much the meter is set to.

 

BG knew the meter was outside so why break in?

 

Why put the heating on?

 

Should`nt someone have done a assessment about any vulnerable people in the house? My son has a degree of autism ( hence his refusal to come home, he is genuinely scared)

 

Can this sort of action be authorised in a Court against a person who is unknown to them ie: The Occupier. If this is true, we all need to worry, it will be a get out clause for just about any mistake they make

 

And i am missing 4 pairs of very expensive knickers

 

Any help is very much appreciated

[Crotalus]

Apparently BG have to check equipment using Gas before and after PPM installation.

The Gas was literally switched off, the boiler was not switched on.

Its Baxi Combi Boiler so you have to turn a dial for the temperature, it was turned on full and left on

( it used all the £10 they left on the meter).

No timer was set.

I use very little gas anyways and when heating is not needed,

i only turn it on for an hour in the evenings for washing/showering ect.

 

It seems to me that the more the recession hits, the more aggressive these companies become.

 

I am struggling to find anymore details about this warrant i have yet to see.

Is there a set procedure to follow ?

 

The Court who issued the warrant said they cannot provide me with a copy of it as its not in my name and i was not the *occupier* responsible for the debt.

 

In fact they did not even confirm or deny a warrant was issued!

 

Any ideas where i go from here please?

[Crotalus]

Im gobsmacked.

 

As my son refuses to return home yet,

we have been staying with family while i work with him.

 

I came home today to find that BG had removed the PPM.

 

They have not replaced it and have left me with no heat, water, cooking ect....

. Then joy of joys, they want me, a single mum on benefits, to pay to have the Gas reconnected.

 

Please if anyone can help me,

i just want my babies back with me,

i cannot stop crying.

[Crotalus]

So BG, after contact with the MP, said they would remove the PPM. Clearly the implication is that they will restore a normal meter.

 

But no – in their bloody-mindedness, they have simply taken the meter out.

 

This is absolutely astonishing in its nastiness, given that Crotalus should have been simply allowed to take on the account.

 

I strongly suggest you also consult a solicitor – any decent one would take this pro-bono.

 

This is exactly whats happened. The meter is outside so no need to enter my house, they removed the meter and stopped the gas. I was told by a really nasty woman that they will listen to the calls and if i asked for the PP meter to be removed, i have to pay to get a meter back. They took it literally. I was told to call re-connections in the morning and was told it could take weeks to be sorted out as they have to listen to all the calls ect.

 

I have a sneaky suspicion that BG will now tell me that until my complaints are resolved and ive paid for a new meter, there is nothing they can do, dropping my complaint may make it quicker - just me musing here but i would not be surprised.

 

How can i take care of two kids with no hot water, cooking facilities or heat? They know this....

[Crotalus]

Hey Donkey

I cannot Pm you or reply to yours ( i cannot see it) untill i have 30 posts. Do you know if there is anyway i can contact you as i really need help.

[Crotalus]

Name of MP posted and edited

Edited August 13, 2013 by Crotalus

[Crotalus]

You know, i was trying to say to DonkeyB via DM that BG have wreaked that much havoc in areas of my life that you just dont expect, that its hard for me to know where to start. My main concern is my son. No cooking facilities, heating or hot water throws up potential childcare issues. Im running between our home and my sisters, my kids Dads, showering in one house, eating in another - im sick of getting fobbed off with promises and they do the exact opposite.

Tomorrow is a new day hey.

[Crotalus]

Is Phil Bentley still CEO? Im composing a email to him. How should i put my case across? Im not very good at things like this.

Thanks DonkeyB

[Crotalus]

Im literally on the phone to them now, on hold. I called the re-connections team, fully expecting it to be the wrong department and i was not disappointed. The woman i spoke to last night did not listen to a word i said, the number she gave me is for re-connections for customers with debt.

 

So despite extensive notes on their systems, myself repeating the story ad nauseum, just spoke to someone in the billing department, again just put through to anyone - so far 20 mins on the phone and im yet to speak to anyone who can walk and talk at the same time. Im not even angry anymore, its just ridiculous.

 

update: 33 minutes later, another wrong department, on hold and still not spoken to anyone who has said anything other than " sorry Miss X, this is the wrong department, il put you through to the right one"

Edited August 14, 2013 by Crotalus
added info

[Crotalus]

Now im shaking with anger. Im on the phone to a young man who told me i requested the meter removing, therefore i would not have any gas, why am i complaining!!!!!!

 

They said they listened to the phone call and i asked for the meter to be removed and im was happy with that.

 

Im informed what i should have said was i would like a meter exchange.

 

Its a crying shame BG`s pedantic attention to detail,l in this case, does not extend to operating within the law.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Crotalus

[Crotalus]

Oh no, BG agreed to come today to install a credit meter, the guy is here but says he can fit a meter but is not allowed to switch the gas on. So still no further in getting my son home.

 

Edited number.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Crotalus

[Crotalus]

Im on the phone to BG now, the lady whom i speaking to checked with her bosses and has told the engineer, no matter what is going on, they have to leave me with a gas supply.

 

The Engineer has said that he is under instructions from his boss not to connect the supply under any circumstances.

 

We are at deadlock. Both my phones are out of use, im on one and the engineer is on the other, otherwise id be on the phone to the Sun newspaper right now.

 

As soon as he finishes with the mobile im going to record the rest of the conversation.

 

Well, engineer called his boss who told me because the boiler had been stood, not working, for 5 days, it was now considered to be decommissioned and needs a full service, at my LL`s cost.

 

That was the final straw, i lost my temper completely and told them if they do not have my gas switched on by 8pm this evening, pictures of my kid crying over his dead pet will be blown up and posted on every social media outlet i can find, under the headline of Thinking about BG? Think again, what you are looking at is a true picture of the real face of BG`s customer care.

 

Im told a service engineer will try and call today as they recognise this is not my doing. Too late, im calling The Sun and every National i can think of. If it was not for the CAG, i would be even more lost, if anyone takes my story, il be happy to mention that.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Crotalus

[Crotalus]

Thank you, absolutely il take any help i can get. But more than that, i don`t want this to happen to anyone else. If it was winter i hate to think of the consequences.

 

After speaking to the young guy last night who patronised me over asking for the PPM to be removed ect, i said to him at the end of the call " can i confirm then that the credit meter will be installed and my gas supply reinstated" he said yes. When i questioned this today, i was told yes it was correct what i had been promised but the guy did not say the gas supply would be switched back ON, just reconnected.

 

I keep expecting Aston Kutcher to come jumping out at me.

 

Still no call back from the service engineers.

[Crotalus]

Crotalus, you may get some calls shortly from the press – let us know if anyone makes contact.

 

Absolutely i will DonkeyB thank you. You have made note of my number, il edit it now. CAG and its representatives are welcome to pass my number on to anyone they feel can help us.

[Crotalus]

Thanks guys, ive posted a link to this thread on the BG facebook page too. Bets are on how long it stays there.

 

Im composing a letter to the Court right now. Im still gobsmacked a Court will issue a warrant to The Occupier! A warrant i have yet to see.

[Crotalus]

Thanks Citizen B, im gathering all the paperwork now. BG even had the nerve to moan that i did not return the Direct Debit mandate so my payment plan was cancelled!!

Ive pulled off the SAR template and that will be going first thing Monday, id do it this weekend but living between 2 homes is zapping my finances quite a lot.

 

I contacted a Reptile specialist that i know, who is writing me a report to say that the snake died from over heating, he described it like a dog in a hot car. As snakes are exothermic, our snake could not regulate her temperature, the STAT responds to temperature increases and decreases accordingly, the STAT was at zero. My Rep vet is also on board with the specialist. Ive made a complaint to the RSPCA and the IHS ( International Herpetological Society).

 

I did speak to the Court who told me they cannot give me a copy of the warrant as its not in my name, go figure!!

[Crotalus]

Ahhh you picked it up then Donkey! Feel free to add me if you wish

 

I had a chat with a journo from the Sun, they want to send a reporter out to interview me, il make myself available of course

[Crotalus]

Update : Got off the phone with BG. They cannot send out a service engineer as they promised as i dont have a "live account"

 

Of course i dont have a live account, they wont connect me....

 

Only way to get gas now is to pay for a service engineer, i cannot afford that.

 

Stalemate. Suppose id better go find somewhere to sleep and shower tonight, again.

 

The lady on the end of the phone was in tears because i cracked up and cried, im being forced to be separated from my children. Im losing my mind and i cannot afford to be like this now, when i need to be sharp and have my facts in place.

 

Would someone help me write an email to Sam Laidlaw please. I know my MP is or has contacted his office, i guess thats why they were so quick to remove the PPM and install the Credit Meter.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Crotalus

[Crotalus]

Trying to, they are calling on my mobile so im limited. The woman im talking to now has said that the engineer would not switch the gas on if he found an appliance unsafe, he did not even come in the flat and said his boss told him not to connect it.

 

They are insisting on another boiler service despite the last one being 4 weeks ago. They were happy to install the PPM and switch that on, so why are they saying they cannot do it with a credit meter?

 

Its £99 to get gas back and my life. They refuse to put anything in an email too.

 

Being utterly truthful, i feel myself and my kids are being bullied and abused by this Company. I feel violated.

 

Update: My MP or his representative is on the way now, he has said he will not move till this is sorted out.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Crotalus

[Crotalus]

You should not have to pay anything. They entered illegally. You should simply have been replaced as the account holder.

 

They should be recording their own calls – bet they ‘mislay’ them in an unfortunate ‘admin error’.

 

Yep thats my thoughts too, still i have dates and times of calls and some partly recorded. Funnily enough since my MPs representative got on the phone, BG are sending out a National Grid engineer to reconnect me. Wait for it....because they think there is now a gas leak! But the previous engineer failed to mention it.

 

On his job sheet it stated that he was to leave me with a supply, as we know he refused. Now he can only refuse on the grounds some gas appliance is dangerous. How the hell would he know, he never entered the flat. He said he was forbidden to connect me by his boss who reiterated the same. BG have said he can only refuse if there is a suspected gas leak - thats why they are sending out an engineer.

 

So now what they are telling me is that i could have a dangerous gas leak - bit bloody late, ive been sat her since 3 o clock, i could have been blown to smithereens.

 

You could not make this up seriously.

[Crotalus]

It really sounds like a mistake was made originally and the people involved are desperately ( and failing) to cover their tracks. Oh well, more fuel for your legal action.

 

At least im getting some fuel!

[Crotalus]

I knew it was too good to be true. The engineer has just left and said he cannot switch the gas back on, its been capped, until i pay £99 to have the boiler tested ( which was done 5 weeks ago)

 

Still no gas. I cannot take anymore. I cannot take care of my own children properly, what kind of a mother does that make me. A **** one that what. Ive had enough, i cannot fight them, i cannot think straight anymore.

[Crotalus]

You can fight them. Make sure you tell your MP everything that is goign on. Keep them updated. You also have a very high, almost guaranteed chance of a successful court claim.

 

Im trying to hang on to that Renegadeimp. It was the first week in July that me and the kids last spent a night together under the same roof. BG are aware of this but they continue. I miss them so much its making me sick. The Daily Mail are interested in running the story now as well as the Sun.

 

If anyone from BG is reading this, and with 120 guests, i guess its possible, i have a message....what you are doing to me and my family is TORTURE. Its BULLYING. You messed up, not me. You acted illegally, not me. I pay my bills, i do whats right. All i want is a hot shower, a hot meal, and a little heat to take the chill out of the room my baby sleeps in. May God have mercy on your souls because when i get your sorry asses in Court, il make damn sure that the Judge and Press show you the same treatment as you are showing me. How would you feel if some broke into your home, killed your kids pet, left you with no means to take care of your family, had to farm the kids out to whoever can look after them. Is it you comforting my baby Esme when she cries for me? No its not so dont you dare ever try and justify this.

 

For the record, il be paying CAG for its advice and claiming it back from you.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Crotalus