Gas Bill to 'the Occupier'

pluto on 18/04/2017 - 15:32

Hi Friends,

We are renting property and our electricity and gas connection was with LUMO energy for last 2 years with 20% and 12% discount for electricity and gas respectively(gas usage charges have always been 0 in 2 years and only got charged service to property charge).

Then I got good offer of 42% discount from sumo power and changed to Sumo Power for electricity and disconnected gas connection. Earlier we were unaware that we are not using gas at all and paying for nothing, as we thought hot water was using gas but it was on electricity.

Now we are getting bill from LUMO energy addressing to "The occupier" with usage charges 0 and service to property charge i.e $0.6629 per day. First time when I got bill, I called them and told our gas usage is 0 and they should not send bill. They told that they have the right to charge the occupier. They said if we are leaving the property then we don't have to pay it, to which I said we are still living there and we are not paying the bill. I need suggestion , if it is alright to avoid paying this bill or can it affect my credit rating as i told them my name on the phone.

Financial

Comments

  • pjetson on 18/04/2017 - 15:49

    Did you actually contact Lumo to request disconnection of your gas service? If so, you owe them nothing except any outstanding charges between your last bill and the date you cancelled.

    • pluto on 18/04/2017 - 15:53

      Yes , I told them to disconnect the service, but they said they have right to charge as lines and meter is still there. i got $25 bill which i didnt paid and $44 second bill now with $25 previous outstanding with total $70.

  • BensonP on 18/04/2017 - 15:51

    Do you have a gas connection at your property? If yes, then you have to pay a supply charge, regardless of usage.

    Otherwise, the gas company will shut off your gas, that way you don't have to pay any supply charges.

    • pluto on 18/04/2017 - 16:00

      I am alright with them shutting off the gas. Or can i tell my landlord for these bills as there is no usage of gas and we don't need it at all.

      • BensonP on 18/04/2017 - 16:12

        You need to TELL THEM to shut the gas off. Otherwise the still SUPPLY the address.

        Looks like you're going to have to pay the bill my friend…

        • pluto on 18/04/2017 - 18:18

          What will happen if I choose to avoid the bill, as its not in my name?

        • the cheeky dropbear on 18/04/2017 - 20:24

          @pluto:

          Would usually be reffered to a credit/debt collection agency

        • PeteM on 20/04/2017 - 12:55

          Not the case, the OP already confirmed they asked Lumo to disconnect the gas. It is then up to the provider as to how they want to carry out the disconenction. Often when you are moving they do very little, generally just do a final meter read and then close the isolation valve. Sometimes they will place a lock or a seal on the isolation valve to ensure it is not turned back on until they send someone to do it.
          If on the other hand, the OP changed providers and told the new provider they did not want gas, this is a different story. The OP would have to of called Lumo directly to cancel the gas.

  • Xyzzy on 18/04/2017 - 15:59
    +1

    Ask the ombudsman:

    https://www.ewov.com.au/

  • pjetson on 18/04/2017 - 16:13
    +1

    Talk to the energy ombudsman.

    https://www.ewov.com.au/

    Drats: Xyzzy beat me to it.

  • Diji1 on 18/04/2017 - 18:33

    Are you saying you paid for a gas service for 2 years whilst having no gas appliances? :o

    • pluto on 18/04/2017 - 22:46

      yes exactly. just the service to property with no usage.

  • onetrickpony on 18/04/2017 - 18:53
    +1

    Familiar story.

    My gas was with Another Gas Lot, and I had it disconnected 7 years ago, but the meter remained. Around 3 years ago I started receiving bills every few months, always addressed to "Energy Consumer". The first couple of years I would ring them, outraged at their ineptness. I was always told, as the bill wasn't actually in my name, and it was never for gas consumed, only supply charges, I was never liable. I was told it was a system glitch and not to pay it.

    Last June, I called them after a particularly enthusiastic $365 invoice, and they sent 2 guys out to put a lock on the meter. They spent a half hour tying a paper tag to it, and declared my troubles over! A few weeks later, I got another bill for $324.36, to Energy Consumer. This one included a previous balance, and - get this - a $56.54 account establishment fee, yes they had single handedly signed me back up! , plus a 1 day supply charge of $1.05. I just ignored it. Heard nothing more until last week when I got a letter reading, Dear Energy…….. If I don't contact them within 5 days they will automatically disconnect me.

    If its not in your name, maybe sit tight for a bit. I gave my former supplier a false name in all my phone calls, and have never seen that name arise on any paperwork. Its just a lot of chasing your tail it seems.

    • GrumpyHuskie on 26/11/2018 - 11:33

      Thank you for sharing your story! I am having the same issue too, these energy companies are so annoying, and in the recent letter they even threaten will send it to debt collection.

  • Tsort on 19/04/2017 - 22:02

    Oh I ignored such bills, they came when I first moved in, and I never used their service. I suspect they just let autobilling on even when service has been disconnected, in case some people are generous enough to pay without question.

    • pluto on 19/04/2017 - 22:04

      cheers. I will do the same then.

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