A resident in a new-build housing development in Shropshire has been caught in a billing nightmare after British Gas mixed up energy meters, leading to neighbours being charged for each other's energy consumption.
Meters Registered to Wrong Addresses
The homeowner, identified only as CG, realised that British Gas was sending bills for their energy to the developer instead of to them. After moving in seven months ago, CG informed British Gas of their details, but when they finally persuaded the company to put the account in their name and tried to set up a direct debit, British Gas sent their bank details to the developer and continued billing the developer. It then began billing CG for a meter with a different reference number.
It turned out that the newly installed meter, along with those of neighbours, had been registered to different addresses. The estate is still under construction, and all half-dozen occupied properties are affected. With charges based on estimates and properties ranging from five-bedroom houses to two-bedroom social housing, some residents may be significantly overcharged.
Compensation Offered but Complaint Closed
British Gas offered compensation for the data breach involving CG's bank details but closed their complaint about the meter mix-up. CG informed the company that they were cancelling the direct debit as they were not prepared to pay someone else's bill. British Gas responded that this would result in a higher tariff.
British Gas confirmed that it has so far identified that the meters of all homes it supplies on the estate have been mixed up. It stated: “Energy meters for new-build properties can sometimes be registered incorrectly following construction when a plot number is assigned to the wrong address.” The company said CG's meter has now been correctly assigned and it is correcting neighbours' meters on the national database.
Tariff Increased by 19%
When British Gas finally contacted CG, it informed them that their tariff had increased by a total of 19% because they had cancelled the direct debit and forfeited the associated discount. CG cancelled the direct debit to avoid paying for someone else's energy and is reluctant to reinstate it until they receive a revised bill showing actual consumption. British Gas, however, says payment for energy that may or may not have been used by CG is overdue and will incur a £13 surcharge if not paid promptly.
Three months after first contact, CG is still receiving contradictory bills and waiting for the promised compensation.
