British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

[redleg]

Hi ,
I would like some advise regarding the 80 year old mother in-laws gas bill.
In July 2015 the MIL mover to a housing complex run by the local authority.
The property has electricity but no gas as the meter had been removed some time ago (2013).
The MIL started receiving bills from British Gas shortly after moving in.

• first bill dated july 2015 for £179.32,
• next letter is from BCW group (Debt collection agency) dated September 2015 requesting payment of £227.76
• Next bill dated October demanding £240.77.
• Next bill dated 13th November (billing period 22 Dec 2013 - 27 Sep 2014) demanding £289.18.

There have been numerous phone call to BG repeatedly informing them that this money is not owed to no avail.
What should be the next step ,
Email the CEO,cite the harassment act etc
Any advice would be appreciated as not had to deal with this kind of issue before
PS the MIL has just had major open heart surgery and needs this like a hole in the head .

[Kati]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

Definitely an email to the CEO (with maybe a letter sent recorded too?) ... try and get you MIL to give you written permission to deal with this for her, she's got enough to deal with without the stress of handling this too :sad:
You'll find email addresses etc... here - http://www.ceoemail.com/index-search.php (just search for BG )

Then there's posting up on social media (FB https://www.facebook.com/britishgas/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/britishgas are a good start )

[nemesis45]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

Just to add to Kati's excellent advice, has the local authority been told what is happening.
The LA would have been involved in the removal of the original meter.

nem

[wales01man]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

Where is the Meter they read?

[Kati]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

Where is the Meter they read?

could be an "estimated" bill??

[nemesis45]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

could be an "estimated" bill??

Based on what I wonder Kati, usage prior to the meter being removed,
knowing the total incompetence of BG anything is possible.

nem

[redleg]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

They are estimated readings with standing charges and late payment fees.

[nemesis45]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

They are estimated readings with standing charges and late payment fees.

Is the housing complex warden controlled, if so take the bills to the warden/site manager.

nem

[redleg]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

Is the housing complex warden controlled, if so take the bills to the warden/site manager.

nem

I will ask the Mrs to contact the complex manager , although i don't hold out much hope of them sorting it.

[nemesis45]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

I will ask the Mrs to contact the complex manager , although i don't hold out much hope of them sorting it.

Worth a try redleg.
nem

[Exasperated]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

The managing director of British Gas residential is Stephen Beynon. His email address is Stephen.Beynon@britishgas.co.uk. His Twitter name is [MENTION=44650]stephen[/MENTION]Beynon. Perhaps you should contact him directly.

If you google "my british gas nightmare" and click the blogspot link, you'll find a posting describing issues similar to yours in case it helps. It details how British Gas sent repetitive bills and threats to force entry to the home of someone they didn't supply electricity or gas to. British Gas similarly ignored repeated disputes and so the individual sought the help of the courts via the protection from harassment act.

Unfortunately, cases like yours with British Gas seem all too common.

Ex

[Kati]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

Here's the whole BG team - https://www.britishgas.co.uk/about-u...-the-team.html

and their "complaints process" - http://www.britishgas.co.uk/help-and...ectricity.html

Gas & Electricity complaints process

Let’s get this sorted.

We’re really sorry you’re not happy. We want to sort things out for you quickly, so please give us a ring on

0800 072 8632*

If you’d rather complain in writing, you can fill in our online form or write to us at Complaints Management Team, PO Box 226, Rotherham S98 1PB.

If you aren’t happy with how we’re handling your complaint, you can get in touch with Matt Idle, Managing Director Energy Customer Service via his dedicated team on 0800 107 0184* or email customercomplaints@britishgas.co.uk. Or you can write to them at the address above.

When you get in touch to make a complaint we’ll investigate fully and let you know what needs to happen next. We will say sorry for anything we have got wrong and may make a goodwill gesture, or offer compensation.

*You can call us Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to 6pm.

[redleg]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

Just a quick update ,
The Complex manager had been spoken to and just as i thought were no help.
Kati,
My sister in law has spoken the BG previously, apparently at the time they could not locate the meter on the system and looks like it was removed sometime in 2013.
She was told that they would update the system and that would be an end to it.
Unfortunately since then, there have been 3 more demands from BG and the debt collectors letter .
I will send an email to the CEO and see what happens .
Thanks for your help with this.

[enaid]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

Can I ask does the bill have your mums name and an account number?, often these letters pop through regarding the last resident at the property. The bill should also have the dates from and to where the bill is being charged for and a letter to state when your mums tenancy started should be proof enough your mum is not responsible for this debt.
I had this myself and it took some sorting out tbh, letters popped through addressed to the 'householder'.
I would also go above the complex managers head and go to the local authority they should have records of any changes to the property and therefore be able to write to BG about this matter.

[redleg]

Re: British Gas bill even when the meter was removed in 2013

Can I ask does the bill have your mums name and an account number?, often these letters pop through regarding the last resident at the property. The bill should also have the dates from and to where the bill is being charged for and a letter to state when your mums tenancy started should be proof enough your mum is not responsible for this debt.
I had this myself and it took some sorting out tbh, letters popped through addressed to the 'householder'.
I would also go above the complex managers head and go to the local authority they should have records of any changes to the property and therefore be able to write to BG about this matter.

Originally they were addressed to the local authority but to the MIL's number,
Then they were addressed the to MIL directly.
The billing dates are 2013 , 2014 & 2015.
BG were informed of the tenancy start date but then she received the debt recovery letter.
I have instructed the MIL to ignore any more bills and hand them to me to deal with.
The sister in law was speaking the the council today, but as yet i haven't heard what the council have said.