Nov
Gas Bills
Gas bills
Who is liable to pay the gas bill
The person who requested a supply of gas will be liable to pay for it and their name will appear on the gas bill.
If your name is not on a bill but you are asked to pay it, consult an experienced adviser, for example, a Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
Paying the gas bill
Gas suppliers must allow you to pay your bill in a variety of ways, for example, by cash, cheque, postal order, or monthly direct debit. Unless you have joined one of the payment schemes detailed below, the bill is due to be paid in full when you get it.
If a gas company has failed to send out a gas bill, they aren’t allowed to bill you for any amount which dates back longer than a year. However, this only applies if you have tried to contact them to arrange payment and have not obstructed any attempt by the company to read your meter or to resolve queries over billing.
Regular payment plans
Ask your gas supplier for information about payment schemes. Some gas suppliers offer a discount to customers who pay their bills by direct debit, standing order, a fixed payment budget scheme or a flexible payments scheme.
Direct debit, standing order and fixed payment budget schemes
With these schemes, your annual use of gas is estimated, usually based on previous consumption, and you pay this amount by equal instalments throughout the year. If you pay by direct debit or standing order, the payments will be made automatically from your bank account, either monthly or quarterly. If you use a fixed payment budget scheme, you must pay the agreed amount to the gas supplier at the specified times – this is usually weekly but may be fortnightly or monthly.
At the end of the year, you may have a balance owing or a credit. Any amount owed will be taken into account when calculating the next year’s instalments or, if large, will usually have to be paid. Refunds of credits are normally made at six monthly or annual reviews.
If your direct debit has been increased by your supplier and you feel that the amount of the increase is unreasonable you may want to challenge the amount of the increase. You should ensure that your payments have been assessed on the amount of energy actually used and not estimated amounts. You should tell your supplier about any changes in your circumstances which may lead to a decrease in the amount of gas you use.
Flexible payments schemes
The gas supplier may offer a flexible payments scheme, which allows you to pay any amount at any time. You may find this is a useful payment option if your income is variable. Check carefully the terms of the scheme, for example, how the payments are worked out and what happens if you build up a credit or go into arrears.
Reduced rates for low-income or vulnerable customers
Most gas suppliers offer reduced rates to low-income or vulnerable customers, such as older people, or people with long-term ill health. These reduced rates are known as social tariffs.
Each supplier has its own set of rules about who qualifies for the reduced rates. For more information, contact your gas supplier and ask for details of their social tariffs.
