Gas Bill at £2106.42

Post new thread

Discuss Gas Bill at £2106.42 in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net

S

S Snowden

Messages
33
Hi

I'm new here and hoping someone can help.

On submitting a gas meter reading my account is showing as being in debit of £2106.42. I live on my own in a privately rented flat (2 bedrooms). On querying the amount with my supplier it has come to light that since I moved in the supplier has the wrong meter serial number and has been reading my neighbours (also lives on own in a 2 bed). The meter on my neighbours is currently at 3332 and mine is 7906 - the meters were installed on the same date and she has lived here longer than me. The meter reading when I moved in was 1592 (October 2015).

My query is; how can my reading be more than double (it was only last week that I turned my heating on), I live on my own and work full time, also (a little shamed to admit) I rarely use my gas oven.

How would it be possible for our readings to be so different? Back in January I had no hot water so my landlord (who says he is corgi registered) came out and fixed the issue - could he have done something that would give me such a high reading/bill.

I have also been informed that there is no record of my meter on the national grid and that meter has not been serviced since I moved in 3 years ago.

Sorry I'm not able to give any technical information and appreciate what I am asking may not be a straight forward answer but any guidance would be greatly appreciate.

Thank you for reading.
 
There's something wrong with those readings.

I've lived in my house, 2 bed semi, for 30 years since it was new and it's still got the original Gas meter.
My current meter reading is 9742.

I supsect that meter is reading the usage for all the flats combined.
How many are there.?

You need confirmation that only your gas usage is passing through that meter.
 
I'm suspicious that the landlord has been up to something. Claiming to be 'Corgi Registered', (Corgi stopped registrations in 2009) and a meter that is not on record. Hmm...

Are there 'odd' billing arrangements for other utilities or Council Tax?
 
Chuck said:
I'm suspicious that the landlord has been up to something. Claiming to be 'Corgi Registered', (Corgi stopped registrations in 2009) and a meter that is not on record. Hmm...

Are there 'odd' billing arrangements for other utilities or Council Tax?
Click to expand...
Could be anything. As requested can you get pictures of the meters please. Could be using yours as a primary.
 
If the supplier has been reading your neighbors and billing you for that ( I presume you have paid?)
Then those payments should be deducted from your total.
It sounds like your meter hasn’t been read for 3 years
Also if that is true. Has your neighbor had no gas bill?
 
Harvest Fields said:
10/20 of them. When was it last Serviced and when was the last time you had a tightness test completed?(checked for gas leaks)
Click to expand...
Hi, thank you for replying. I've spoken to my landlord today who has confirmed that a service was carried out on 22/01/2018 and included a tightness test. I was under the impression that the service was only on the boiler but would he have done the meter too?

He is not the most approachable person (I've had a bad, upsetting experience with a previous landlord and don't like to question) and he has told me he will send a copy of the paperwork when he returns from holiday...although didn't say when this was.
 
snowhead said:
There's something wrong with those readings.

I've lived in my house, 2 bed semi, for 30 years since it was new and it's still got the original Gas meter.
My current meter reading is 9742.

I supsect that meter is reading the usage for all the flats combined.
How many are there.?

You need confirmation that only your gas usage is passing through that meter.
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you. This information has helped to understand it with another example of another reading - thank you. There are 3 flats in total above a hairdressers and a café. The middle flat is prepaid the my other neighbour is the one with the serial number my supplier has.

Sorry if this is a daft question; how would I find if only my gas is passing through?
 
Harvest Fields said:
Can you get any pictures of the gas meters?
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for replying. I hope this can help (and has attached correctly.
 
Harvest Fields said:
10/20 of them. When was it last Serviced and when was the last time you had a tightness test completed?(checked for gas leaks)
Click to expand...
Hi, landlord said he did it all on the 22/01/2018 which having checked my previous text messages was 2 days before he came out to continue trying to fix the issue with my hot water. From memory (as don't have a text message to confirm) it was another day or 2 before I had hot water. Not sure if this extra information is relevant but at loss and appreciate you helping me.
 
Chuck said:
I'm suspicious that the landlord has been up to something. Claiming to be 'Corgi Registered', (Corgi stopped registrations in 2009) and a meter that is not on record. Hmm...

Are there 'odd' billing arrangements for other utilities or Council Tax?
Click to expand...
Hi, sorry it could been me that has named it wrong. He has confirmed that it has been serviced and is going to arrange for the paperwork to be sent to me (when he is back from holiday).

I'm not aware of any other 'odd' billing arrangements.
 
Murdoch said:
May be consider this before it gets colder . turn off the boiler , take gas reading, turn boiler back on after 24 hours .....check meter reading

Then you'll know if gas is being registered with your boiler off..
Click to expand...
HI, thank you so much for this suggestion. I'm doing it from tonight to tomorrow...I haven't switched my heating back on since Monday when I spoke to the supplier so the only gas I should be using is to heat the water. Luckily I have a sister who lives nearby who is going to let me use her bathroom facilities :)
 
Vicdiy said:
Are you absolutely sure that you are reading the meter correctly. I once read my electric meter which has an led display and missed a . between the last two numbers. I couldn't even see it with my glasses on so used a magnifying glass.
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for replying. Yes unfortunately - I have even supplied pictures to the supplier which is how we found out that they have my neighbours serial number on my account.
 
Chalked said:
If the supplier has been reading your neighbors and billing you for that ( I presume you have paid?)

It sounds like your meter hasn’t been read for 3 years
Also if that is true. Has your neighbor had no gas bill?
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for replying. I have being paying £29 per month which I guess is based on her usage, not mine. Before I submitted my reading (the scary 7K one) it showed I was in credit which the have deducted from the £2000+ that shows I owe. They have requested a charter back bill as they have admitted that it is their error for reading the wrong meter.

I would have assumed neighbour has had a bill (she seems very honest). I've not yet been able to speak to her but would hope that she is paying the same as me (£29).
 
Stacey Ball said:
Hi, thank you for replying. I have being paying £29 per month which I guess is based on her usage, not mine. Before I submitted my reading (the scary 7K one) it showed I was in credit which the have deducted from the £2000+ that shows I owe. They have requested a charter back bill as they have admitted that it is their error for reading the wrong meter.

I would have assumed neighbour has had a bill (she seems very honest). I've not yet been able to speak to her but would hope that she is paying the same as me (£29).
Click to expand...

Suppliers have said they cannot guarantee this chartered back bill will be authorised.
 
snowhead said:
Stacey, "Your meter" in the picture is outside?
Are there any other meters outside?
Click to expand...
Hi, yes all are outside. The café one (which is what I live above) is next to mine and the others are in the other side of the court yard (neighbour whose meter they have been reading) and the hairdressers. I think my other neighbour is on a prepaid meter.
 
i had a problem not the same but it was a new build and all paperwork passed to suppliers when we move in i phoned and emailed the suppliers for over a year as i had not had a bill eventually they came out and took all the details then landed me with an £800.00 bill which i refused to pay and sent complaints into the energy auditor off power or ga swhatever it was they came down on my side and the supplier agreed they had been neglectful and had not given good serice and reduced the bill by £200.00. i also reused to pay all at once as it was their fault to whuich they agreed. so argue like crazy and report the situation the the energy auditor.
 
Harvest Fields said:
Bet they have the meters muddled still
Click to expand...

I've been thinking that, but the GSR-Landlord would have identified the correct meter when he did tightness, assuming he did it back to the meter..

A question to Stacey, is your Landlord the owner of all the flats and shops or does he just own the flats?

I'm thinking that if he's tightness tested all the units then he should be confident which meter is which.
Leaving the only other possibility that the Gas meter is faulty.
 
Hi, thank you - again. Yes he owns all the flats, hairdressers and cafe.

When I spoke to SSE on Monday they had me turn off the gas from my meter (the crazy meter reading meter) and it did turn it off as I couldn’t use the burners on the oven.

I’ve just checked with my neighbour - she is with British Gas and has lived here a few months longer than me. My first bill (with neighbours serial no on) was with British Gas so is it possible for them to have 2 customers with the same meter serial number?? You’d think the system would highlight a duplicate.
 
Last edited:
Gasmk1 said:
i had a problem not the same but it was a new build and all paperwork passed to suppliers when we move in i phoned and emailed the suppliers for over a year as i had not had a bill eventually they came out and took all the details then landed me with an £800.00 bill which i refused to pay and sent complaints into the energy auditor off power or ga swhatever it was they came down on my side and the supplier agreed they had been neglectful and had not given good serice and reduced the bill by £200.00. i also reused to pay all at once as it was their fault to whuich they agreed. so argue like crazy and report the situation the the energy auditor.
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for replying. SSE have raised a complaint and so I have. They’ve also requested a charter back bill so hopefully I won’t have to pay. If this is not the case then I will definitely be taking your advice, thank you.

My main concern (once the payment disagreement is resolved) that if it’s not determined why I have such a high reading that my monthly bill will be in the region of £95 (as quoted by SSE).

I have asked for a engineer/gas person to visit to check the meter but they are saying they can’t until the national grid is updated/my meter serial number matches my account. This I was told can take up to 10 days.

Thank you again for your help.
 
Stacey Ball said:
Hi, thank you - again. Yes he owns all the flats, hairdressers and cafe.

When I spoke to SSE on Monday they had me turn off the gas from my meter (the crazy meter reading meter) and it did turn it off as I couldn’t use the burners on the oven.

I’ve just checked with my neighbour - she is with British Gas and has lived here a few months longer than me. My first bill (with neighbours serial no on) was with British Gas so is it possible for them to have 2 customers with the same meter serial number?? You’d think the system would highlight a duplicate.
Click to expand...
snowhead said:
I've been thinking that, but the GSR-Landlord would have identified the correct meter when he did tightness, assuming he did it back to the meter..

A question to Stacey, is your Landlord the owner of all the flats and shops or does he just own the flats?

I'm thinking that if he's tightness tested all the units then he should be confident which meter is which.
Leaving the only other possibility that the Gas meter is faulty.
Click to expand...

Hi, please can I ask another question - on running the hot water the numbers in the red section of the meter are increasing 2 and 3 numbers at a time - should it do this?
Thank you
 
Harvest Fields said:
No. It should be a smooth circle.
Click to expand...
Thank you for getting back to me so soon - I do appreciate your help.

On my original post I asked if the high reading could relate to me not having any hot water at the beginning of the year - my landlord took weeks to fix but never said exactly what the fix was (not that I would have probably understood) but could the high meter reading be related?
 
oz-plumber said:
No. The meter should only read the gas consumed when gas is being used.
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for replying. Daft question, I’m sure - gas will be being used when I am running the hot water (I have a combi boiler)? Should it use gas when I’m not running any hot water?

After the landlord fixed the water issue (back in Jan) the water is now scalding (mainly in the kitchen). Could a setting of higher water temperature use more gas?

Thank you - again
 
Last edited:
Stacey Ball said:
Hi, please can I ask another question - on running the hot water the numbers in the red section of the meter are increasing 2 and 3 numbers at a time - should it do this?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Yes. It will skip numbers when using gas as the electronic digital display on your Meter type works of an electronic pulse. Therefore it will appear to jump. The random counting it does is not an indication of a fault.
 
Hotter water temp would use more gas, but nothing in the range of what you state your gas bill is.

Going through the thread, maybe you should ask the gas supplier when was the last time they read the meter before you moved in, also ask them for a billing history on the meter.
You may be paying the bill for someone who lived there before you.
 
oz-plumber said:
Hotter water temp would use more gas, but nothing in the range of what you state your gas bill is.

Going through the thread, maybe you should ask the gas supplier when was the last time they read the meter before you moved in, also ask them for a billing history on the meter.
You may be paying the bill for someone who lived there before you.
Click to expand...

Hi, thank you for replying. I have a photo of the meter reading when I moved in 3 years ago and it was at 1579. From speaking to SSE I don’t think anyone from their company has looked at it as they’ve been reading my neighbours with the serial number they have on my account. I have one bill from British Gas - I was with them awhile when I first moved in (they also had the wrong serial number). My usage on the BG bill was Oct 15 - 01560 to Feb 16 - 01796.

I do have an online account with SSE but the previous readings on there are what they taken from my neighbours meter.

Hope I’m making sense - it’s all very confusing.

My neighbours meter reading is 3332 - the meters were installed on the same day and she has lived their longer than me.
 
So this problem is in hand? The utility company know they've been reading the wrong meter and you've given them the correct reading and serial number from the correct meter so you don't have to pay the wrong bill but will eventually pay the correct one?

Edit...by the way a utility company cannot back-bill you for energy use over 12 months ago
 
Last edited:
gmartine said:
So this problem is in hand? The utility company know they've been reading the wrong meter and you've given them the correct reading and serial number from the correct meter so you don't have to pay the wrong bill but will eventually pay the correct one?

Edit...by the way a utility company cannot back-bill you for energy use over 12 months ago
Click to expand...

I’m waiting for SSE to advise if a chartered back bill has been authorised. They have admitted it’s there fault but I’m at a loss as to why my reading is so high - me and my neighbour live on our own, work all day, rarely use our heating and have a massive difference in readings - she’s lived there longer and the meters were installed on the same day.

Thank you again
 
New posts

Reply to Gas Bill at £2106.42 in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net

Similar plumbing topics

J
At Risk gas meter box after new combi boiler fixed
Had conventional boiler and tanks removed last year and new combi fitted and just recently had it serviced but the guy who did it has given me a...
Replies
9
Views
810
IND_Nick
I
C
Domestic Gas in commercial properties
Hi everyone, After a bit of advice in the fact I’ve recently passed my domestic gas qualification however all the work I will carry out will be...
Replies
1
Views
100
ShaunCorbs
ShaunCorbs
L
Boiler inefficiency- cause and fix??
Hi, moved into a home a year ago with what is probably an old heating system. There is a gas boiler linking to radiator central heating, and a...
Replies
4
Views
589
Enthalpy
E
S
Install new internal meter and remove external meter
Hi all, I currently have an external water meter (which is a sub-meter) of my neighbours meter. The mains supply runs into their garden and then...
Replies
3
Views
695
fowlerboi
F
back2thefuture
Gas disconnected by supplier
Dear all, We were disconnected by our gas supplier. We have no managed to find the money to clear the bill. They have told us it will take 10...
Replies
1
Views
437
cjg
C

Newest Plumbing Threads

Back
Top