ChrisMurren:

I think my problem arose in that the date for the supply starting from british gas was staggered for the electricity and the gas despite being on Dual Fuel.

I *think* British Gas have made a process error and treated this as a switch or transfer when they should have treated it as a new supply agreement from the date of entry.

There is more than one way to solve this. I think British Gas is wrong and I like kicking *ss when I believe an organisation is wrong. Alternatively pay up and put it down to experience. Or pay up and claim the incremental cost from British Gas. They may or may not pay up. You may still have to kick BG's *ss.

Up to you, but this is really not a "Scottish Power Standing Charge" problem.

I think my problem arose in that the date for the supply starting from british gas was staggered for the electricity and the gas despite being on Dual Fuel. The electricity was two weeks after i moved in and the gas 4 weeks. I supplied meter readings to british gas for both utilities on the relevant start dates but given i have used not a single unit of gas i am loathed to pay for the standing charge...

I think the key point is as you say "in the abscence of a supply agreement" which means i am likely obliged to pay despite never signing up to their standard rate with standing charges. With heindsight i should have checked who the default supplier was and asked for the best tariff from them before being landed with the final bill.

I know for next time to question everything including the default supplier should my prefered choice not be connected in time. It is disapointing British Gas just told me they will sort everything and I don't have to lift a finger...

Time to call Scottish power and see where i get to.

Thanks

ChrisMurren:

You can only be supplied by one supplier at a time. Either a supplier you signed up with or in the absence of a supply agreement, the supplier supplying the property.

If you initiated a supply agreement before moving your arrangement is with the supplier you made the arrangement with. If something has not worked, take that up with the supplier you made the arrangement with. If you make no progress raise a formal complaint. Whether you owe Scottish Power anything really depends on how the supplier you made the arrangement with proposes to resolve the issue.

I suggest you explain the issue to Scottish Power and try to agree a common understanding.

Whatever you do make sure you have read the meter.

I would like some help or advice if people have experienced this befre as after recently moving house to a property supplied by Scottish power I opted to retain my exisiting utility supplier which i initiated before moving. I have used no gas at all in the new property given the hot water etc is on electric. However as Scottish Power have a standing charge i am now asked to settle the bill despite using nothing and never signing up to them. Can I argue not to pay this charge or am i bound to it? I have already settled the electricity bill with them and the rates that they put us on automatically are quite high.

Thanks for any help.

Chris