Couple shocked after being told they owe £11,000 for 18 years worth of gas
25.10.2023 - 12:53
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A couple said 'their worst fears have come true' after they received a huge bill for almost £11,000 - telling them they owe for nearly 18 years worth of gas. Lee Haynes, 44, and partner Jo Woodley, 45, said they tried everything to try and find out who they needed to pay for their gas supply after they moved into their home in Tamworth, Staffs, in 2005.
After nobody could work out whose responsibility the gas supply was they eventually gave up asking. However, a bill has now landed on the couple's doorstep demanding £10,824.87 - and they need to pay within 30 days.
Lee, a school site worker, said: "It's unbelievable - my worst fears about this have now come true."
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After moving into their home, nearly two decades ago, Lee and Jo said they immediately tried to sort out the maintenance bills - but hit a block when it came to the gas.
Letters from the National Grid and their housing association, both dated in 2006, confirm struggles to establish the source of the gas. Lee and Jo then contacted the ombudsman and they claim they were told that they should wait to hear.
Lee said: "It was very strange. After a few months we had bills for everything but not gas. I was worried about suddenly getting a big bill - so I tried really hard to find out who was supplying our gas.
"The guy from the housing association tried all the suppliers they work with and said he didn't know what to do. When the ombudsman said just to keep the paperwork and leave it that's exactly what we did."
Lee and Jo then got a letter from gas distributors Cadent in March 2023, saying they wanted to