Energy Company Dispute - Advice Please

[Mike295]

Hi guys,

Question here relating to a request for payment from an energy company.

August 2024, we moved into a new warehouse (let). The warehouses previous tenant went bust without paying any landlord or utility bills.

once moved in, we immediately rang our preferred electricity supplier and got into contract, along with other services we thought we needed.

Fast forward to May 2025, we receive multiple letters and emails threatening legal action from a different energy company relation to gas bills.

We do not use gas. The warehouse has no known working gas appliance (it has a gas heater, which we haven't ever attempted to use). I see a gas pipe/meter installed, though.

The letters from the energy company contain billing statements. The bills show there has been zero usage since we have moved in, but there has been a daily standing charge which of course has added up over the months.

The bills have been addressed to our company name and they say they've set us up an online account using our sales email address. To be clear, we have never spoken to this company, never signed a contract. We do not use gas and do not want their services.

Do they have a leg to stand on here? Can we really be charged for daily standing charges even though we've never had a contract with them and do not ever use gas (as proved very their usage statement).

Any help much appreciated - i have emailed them multiple times to address this issue but they don't reply, they simply send more letters.

 

[boxlot]

Unfortunately yes they can and they will. I was in exact same situation. When you taking over a unit, you will be responsible for electricity and gas, even if you don't use them. Call them on Monday and tell them that you want gas meter to be removed. Then they have to stop charging you etc.

Regarding previous standing charges, you can try and negotiate a discount and payment plan with previous gas supplier. You could also speak with your current supplier and ask if they can take over gas supply backdated to August 2024. You may be able to get the better deal etc.

In overall it will be a long process and will take many phone calls.

 

[BizEnergyDeals]

Hi guys,

Question here relating to a request for payment from an energy company.

August 2024, we moved into a new warehouse (let). The warehouses previous tenant went bust without paying any landlord or utility bills.

once moved in, we immediately rang our preferred electricity supplier and got into contract, along with other services we thought we needed.

Fast forward to May 2025, we receive multiple letters and emails threatening legal action from a different energy company relation to gas bills.

We do not use gas. The warehouse has no known working gas appliance (it has a gas heater, which we haven't ever attempted to use). I see a gas pipe/meter installed, though.

The letters from the energy company contain billing statements. The bills show there has been zero usage since we have moved in, but there has been a daily standing charge which of course has added up over the months.

The bills have been addressed to our company name and they say they've set us up an online account using our sales email address. To be clear, we have never spoken to this company, never signed a contract. We do not use gas and do not want their services.

Do they have a leg to stand on here? Can we really be charged for daily standing charges even though we've never had a contract with them and do not ever use gas (as proved very their usage statement).

Any help much appreciated - i have emailed them multiple times to address this issue but they don't reply, they simply send more letters.

I think you may have a case here to avoid these charges.

The energy supplier is billing you on the basis of a "deemed contract". Here's when this applies (according to Ofgem guidance)

A Deemed Contract relationship will normally exist in circumstances where any type of customer moves into new premises, and starts to consume gas and/or electricity, without agreeing a contract with a supplier.

Deemed contracts allows energy suppliers to charge customers who are using electricity/gas at one of the properties they supply, even if they haven't signed a contract.

However, since you can demonstrate with you gas meter readings that you haven't consumed any gas I think you can argue this does not apply.

I recommend emailing the supplier making this point and ideally including meter reading photos from the move in date and today's date to show there hasn't been any consumption.

 

[Mike295]

I think you may have a case here to avoid these charges.

The energy supplier is billing you on the basis of a "deemed contract". Here's when this applies (according to Ofgem guidance)

A Deemed Contract relationship will normally exist in circumstances where any type of customer moves into new premises, and starts to consume gas and/or electricity, without agreeing a contract with a supplier.

Deemed contracts allows energy suppliers to charge customers who are using electricity/gas at one of the properties they supply, even if they haven't signed a contract.

However, since you can demonstrate with you gas meter readings that you haven't consumed any gas I think you can argue this does not apply.

I recommend emailing the supplier making this point and ideally including meter reading photos from the move in date and today's date to show there hasn't been any consumption.

Thank you for this. Going off the previous reply, I thought I was going to just have to absorb these costs, so i called them and requested they remove their meter at the cost of £130. No money has been paid yet for the bills.

do you think I should wait for them to remove the meter (which I'm happy to pay for them doing), then dispute the charges?

 

[Lisa Thomas]

Thank you for this. Going off the previous reply, I thought I was going to just have to absorb these costs, so i called them and requested they remove their meter at the cost of £130. No money has been paid yet for the bills.

do you think I should wait for them to remove the meter (which I'm happy to pay for them doing), then dispute the charges?

No, why are you waiting to dispute all this? You might have zero liability....!

 

[segutilities]

No, why are you waiting to dispute all this? You might have zero liability....!

Hey Lisa, hope you’re well. I’m new to this group and wondering if you managed to get this resolved? I usually work with corporate and construction clients and would love to help out. If you’ve been unfairly treated you may be entitled to some compensation. Happy to give you some advice over a call/email if you wish.

Best Regards
Abdul

 

[segutilities]

Hi guys,

Question here relating to a request for payment from an energy company.

August 2024, we moved into a new warehouse (let). The warehouses previous tenant went bust without paying any landlord or utility bills.

once moved in, we immediately rang our preferred electricity supplier and got into contract, along with other services we thought we needed.

Fast forward to May 2025, we receive multiple letters and emails threatening legal action from a different energy company relation to gas bills.

We do not use gas. The warehouse has no known working gas appliance (it has a gas heater, which we haven't ever attempted to use). I see a gas pipe/meter installed, though.

The letters from the energy company contain billing statements. The bills show there has been zero usage since we have moved in, but there has been a daily standing charge which of course has added up over the months.

The bills have been addressed to our company name and they say they've set us up an online account using our sales email address. To be clear, we have never spoken to this company, never signed a contract. We do not use gas and do not want their services.

Do they have a leg to stand on here? Can we really be charged for daily standing charges even though we've never had a contract with them and do not ever use gas (as proved very their usage statement).

Any help much appreciated - i have emailed them multiple times to address this issue but they don't reply, they simply send more letters.

Hey Mike, hope you’ve managed to sort this out with the supplier.

If not feel free to reach out, happy to help.

Best Regards
Abdul