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British Gas outrage

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  • #1

    British Gas outrage

    Hi there, I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.

    I moved into a new property 2 months ago and didn't immediately set up the utilities as I had a lot of things to look after. I finally got a bill through from British Gas for the first months usage, totalling £380 which was ridiculous. I assumed it was an estimated reading and called them with the actual readings and they then corrected it to £430. Now £430 for a single person living alone for one months usage is beyond a joke. I have registered now with Npower and am paying what I would expect to be paying for the property, however the initial British Gas bill is still unpaid.

    My question is this.

    When I moved in, I never signed up with British Gas or agreed to anything to take over an existing agreement from the previous tenants. I have signed nothing with British Gas or agreed to their terms of service, so how can they claim that I actually owe them this amount? I want to know what my legal position is, as like I said I have not read, signed or agreed to any contract with British Gas at that property, they just assume because I am the next tenant, I am now liable for their bill, but surely a company cannot demand money from me when I have nowhere agreed to be supplied by them? And the fact that they are trying to charge me over £400 for one months usage is what's prompting me to decline payment as I refuse to pay such a ridiculous amount for energy, when it should be less than a quarter of that. But I want to know my legal position if I refuse to pay on the grounds that I never agreed to be supplied by BG or signed any contract with them.

    Many thanks
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  • #2
    Re: British Gas outrage

    Unless British Gas can produce a legitimate contract to supply you with gas, bearing your signature, their demands are illegal. Send them a Recorded Delivery letter along the following lines -

    Mr P Bentley
    CEO
    British Gas Trading
    XXXXXXXXXXX
    XXXXXXXXXXX
    XXXXXXXXXXX

    Dear Mr Bentley,

    On [date], I received a bill from your company demanding £380 for gas it had allegedly supplied to my home. I then telephoned your company to ask what was going on as I have not contracted your company to supply me with domestic gas. Your company's response to this was to send me a bill for £430.

    I put you on notice that I have contracted Npower to supply me with domestic gas, not British Gas.

    In view of the foregoing, I require you and British Gas to furnish a legitimate contract, bearing my signature, proving that I have, in fact, contracted British Gas to supply domestic gas to my home, within seven calendar days of the date of this letter.

    In the absence of evidence of a legitimate contract between myself and British Gas, I do not accept liability for the bills you have sent to me.

    I await your response within the time-limit stipulated.

    Yours sincerely,

    [Your Name]"

    Print your name where the signature should go. DO NOT sign it. This prevents them doing a "cut and paste" job and forging a contract. Come back onto this thread once you receive a response from Phil Bentley or need any further advice or guidance.
    Life is a journey on which we all travel, sometimes together, but never alone.
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    • #3
      Re: British Gas outrage

      Dont forget to include "I am also well aware of the ferguson v british gas trading limited court case." in the letter Bluebottle has posted above.
      Please note that this advice is given informally, without liability and without prejudice. Always seek the advice of an insured qualified professional. All my legal and nonlegal knowledge comes from either here (LB),my own personal research and experience and/or as the result of necessity as an Employer and Businessman.

      By using my advice in any form, you agreed to waive all rights to hold myself or any persons representing myself of any liability.

      If you PM me, make sure to include a link to your thread as I don't give out advice in private. All PMs that are sent in missuse (including but not limited to phishing, spam) of the PM application and/or PMs that are threatening or abusive will be reported to the Site Team and if necessary to the police and/or relevant Authority.

      I AM SO GOING TO GET BANNED BY CEL FOR POSTING terrible humour POSTS.

      The Governess; 6th March 2012 GRRRRRR
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      • #4
        Re: British Gas outrage

        I bet Phil Bentley just loves being reminded about the outcome of the Ferguson case, TB. LOL!
        Life is a journey on which we all travel, sometimes together, but never alone.
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        • #5
          Re: British Gas outrage

          ohhh he loves it alright lmao
          Please note that this advice is given informally, without liability and without prejudice. Always seek the advice of an insured qualified professional. All my legal and nonlegal knowledge comes from either here (LB),my own personal research and experience and/or as the result of necessity as an Employer and Businessman.

          By using my advice in any form, you agreed to waive all rights to hold myself or any persons representing myself of any liability.

          If you PM me, make sure to include a link to your thread as I don't give out advice in private. All PMs that are sent in missuse (including but not limited to phishing, spam) of the PM application and/or PMs that are threatening or abusive will be reported to the Site Team and if necessary to the police and/or relevant Authority.

          I AM SO GOING TO GET BANNED BY CEL FOR POSTING terrible humour POSTS.

          The Governess; 6th March 2012 GRRRRRR
          • 1 thank

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          • #6
            Re: British Gas outrage

            Thank you very much, that's brilliant.

            Just to check, that addition you suggest about the outcome of the ferguson vs british gas case - was that a serious addendum or a joke? Just want to be sure

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: British Gas outrage

              Seriously, as british Gas lost big time in that case!
              Please note that this advice is given informally, without liability and without prejudice. Always seek the advice of an insured qualified professional. All my legal and nonlegal knowledge comes from either here (LB),my own personal research and experience and/or as the result of necessity as an Employer and Businessman.

              By using my advice in any form, you agreed to waive all rights to hold myself or any persons representing myself of any liability.

              If you PM me, make sure to include a link to your thread as I don't give out advice in private. All PMs that are sent in missuse (including but not limited to phishing, spam) of the PM application and/or PMs that are threatening or abusive will be reported to the Site Team and if necessary to the police and/or relevant Authority.

              I AM SO GOING TO GET BANNED BY CEL FOR POSTING terrible humour POSTS.

              The Governess; 6th March 2012 GRRRRRR
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              • #8
                Re: British Gas outrage

                The Ferguson case set a precedent that a company can harass an individual. BG tried to argue that the threatening letters were computer-generated, but the judge turned round and pointed out that a human being operated the computer to send it out and it was sent to a human being. Game, set and match to Ferguson. As Teaboy says, BG got hammered big-time.

                The case to quote is Ferguson -v- British Gas Trading Limited 2009.

                Phil Bentley will probably cringe when he reads the reference to that case in your letter.
                Life is a journey on which we all travel, sometimes together, but never alone.
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