Aussie couple's shock over extreme $5000 gas bill
A couple have been left shocked after receiving a gas bill from AGL surpassing $5000 for an apartment they only use three weeks out of the year.
Wally and Jenny Jacobs explained that the property is vacant with the gas mains switched off except for the three weeks that it is used.
The couple told The Age that they received two “totally bloody ridiculous” gas bills of $2863 and $1900.
After the pair disputed these bills, they were left with a bill of $5440 for a total of 179 days.
Wally explained that all they do in the apartment is use the heater and boil water.
“What can I say, I thought I had to go and get my eyes checked. From previous bills it's never been like that.”
When AGL had been contacted, the company said they had trouble reading the meter at the property and based the bills off an estimate.
However, the Jacobs said the gate that leads to the meter remains unlocked and they were confused as to how the company couldn’t access the reading.
A spokeswoman from AGL said they would investigate why the distributor had not been able to read their meter.
“In this case, it appears the customer has received estimated bills for an extended period of time, and further investigation is required to understand and validate the readings provided," an AGL spokesperson told The Age.
The Jacobs are not the only household to encounter this issue with the Victorian Energy and Water Ombudsman receiving 406 complaints in relation to estimated gas bills.
“It's fair to say that it is really confusing for customers when they get an estimation because in this day and age they assume their meters will be read and based on actual data,” Cynthia Gebert, Victoria's Energy and Water Ombudsman, said.
Cynthia believes this issue is a wider problem that needs to see gas companies communicate with customers when bills are estimated.
Wally believes the problem he encountered to be one that is “systematic”.
“As a consumer you sign a contract with AGL. The gas usage is determined by reading a meter but where in the contract does it say the consumer is billed by estimate only?” he asked.
Have you had any errors with your gas bills? Let us know in the comments below.