Bill error sparks fears

A HOUSING association has apologised after an “oversight” led to some tenants receiving threatening letters from British Gas.

Residents at Durden Mews, Shaw, had their gas supply switched from communal to individual boilers in April and took over responsibility for paying their bills from First Choice Homes Oldham. FCHO agreed to pay the first 28 days of the tenants’ bills following the switch - but an error led to a hold-up in the payment.

British Gas sent letters to FCHO and copies to the residents concerned, demanding payment or it would enter their homes and take property worth £50. But FCHO wrote to tenants explaining it owed the money to British Gas, not residents.

One of those affected was Peter Brown, who was worried that bailiffs might come to his house to reclaim property.

He said: “It’s ridiculous. I’ve got letters saying that I don’t owe anything to British Gas so why are they threatening to enter my home? First Choice owe them the money; why don’t they just pay it? There are other elderly people living here that are in genuine fear about opening the door. The whole changeover has been badly handled and left a lot of people worried.”

Sheena McDonnell, FCHO’s business transformation director, said: “This was an error on our part and we apologise for the avoidable stress caused. We’re now rectifying the situation and ensuring that all bills are paid in full by us.”