gas bill + stolen meter

[Pimpernel]

Hello,

1 week ago, I moved in a studio flat (electricity only) in a rather run-down building (dating back from the 30's, owned by 1 landlord, and entirely let out).

Yesterday I received a gas bill (yes, gas) from British Gas for the staggering amount of �158.88. I called them (the agent of the landlord doesn't work at the weekend) and they insist that the flat is supplied with gas, that the gas meter is in one of the kitchen's cupboards, and that it must have been stolen! They wanted to send me an engineer to report the theft right away.

I couldn't stay because my phone line isn't reconnected (I spent �10.13 on that conversation with them on my mobile), so I needed to go to the library to use the internet, and I also needed to buy some food for the coming week (I work long hours and am not allowed to use the internet for private purposes at work).

I've contacted the agent of the landlord by email (scanned copy of the gas bill since I work long hours and won't be able to leave early tomorrow to meet him), I'm going to phone the caretaker tomorrow (who might know better than the agent how matters stand with that flat), and if necessary I'll try to have an engineer come and have a look at my flat at the same time as the engineer from BT (for the phone).

Any idea of what else | can do?
Apparently British Gas intend to keep charging me for that gas I don't use (none of the appliances in that flat uses gas, I don't know who is using that gas I'm being charged for, and I don't even know where the meter is: my electricity meter is on the landing, with the electricity meters of the other flats, and I didn't see a single gas meter). Trouble is, if they keep charging me, and I refuse to pay the bills, this will damage my credit rating, and I want to get a mortgage next year.

[bednobs]

even if you find you DO have gas you surely wont be liable for this bill which has surely been run up before you moved in? Send this bill to the landlord

[heathfield]

Why would anyone steal a gas meter unless it was coin fed? If it was coin fed, why did they send you a bill instead of calling to collect the money? Do as Bednobs says, and at the same time inform British Gas of what you're doing.

[brenda]

Ring Transco tell them there is a leak probably from the meter , and that you can't find where it is.

[thugulike]

This happened to me and I said they could come and cut the gas off. When they checked they said they couldn't because I didn't have any gas. It was a long and difficult saga to get that far though. You have my sympathies. Have you thought of contacting CAB for advice?

[BillyBB]

What postcode area are you in?
Do not pay them anything. At the very least faxing a copy of your tennancy agreement with start date should negate that bill.
Yes, credit meters get stolen.

[Pimpernel]

Cheers for your answers.

The agent confirms that the flat does not have gas.

I'm going to call Transco early tomorrow morning. I am expecting BT with 2 engineers (one to reconnect my line, one to fight the rats in the basement), so I will be in if they want to send an engineer. What fun it will be, 4 people in a small studio (5 if you include the caretaker who has the keys to the cellar, and 6 if the agent decides to drop in): this will be just like having a party!

I rented a carpet-cleaning machine from Johnsons before I moved in, cleaned the carpet thoroughly, and have been leaving my shoes in the entrance hall since. Imagine how nice it will be to have all those people with shoes (and it's snowing too!)!!!

Just hope that I can get the gas supply which is being charged to my flat charged to the right flat (or the communal parts?), or else, have them ascertain that there is no gas supply.

Their meter readings are an estimation, they might have carried on issuing gas bills after the flat was renovated and made 'electricity only'.

[Pimpernel]

****-up cleared (hopefully). The agent of the landlords called British Gas: the bill is for the flat next door (3A and not 3 where I live!).
The bill was addressed to 'The Occupier' because, although the tenants have been there for many months, they omitted to tell British Gas that they had moved in.

[bednobs]

thank you for re-posting i was intrigued!

[nonomaybe]

Do remember that if you have this sort of hassle again with any sort of supplier and you are the innocent party send them a bill for the time it takes you to deal with it and mention the word "harassment if it drags on, the pursuing party usually gets the message, pretty quickly