Bord Gais deposit - what to do!

Kimia

Bord Gais want me to pay €200 deposit for being a renter because I've never had gas before. I have not got the money for this.

What kills me is - they are putting a major advertising push on 'switching' to Bord Gais coz they're great (apparently) - and then when a customer does switch they get screwed because of this deposit.

I have never not paid a bill, loan, credit card etc. But I genuinely have not got the spare cash flow to pay this extra. I am not unemployed but you know yourself - I'm barely scraping by and everything I spend is scrutinised closely.

I also don't have anyone to act as my guarantor. I rang their credit control dept and asked them to give me some advice or help and they just said it was policy.

I have been with ESB previously with no hassle and am really annoyed that I have to pay this deposit which I won't get back for a year, and which was never mentioned on the 'big switch' ads.

Any advice?

petes

Kimia wrote: »

Any advice?

It is standard policy. Is that €200 and paying by direct debit or is that the total deposit? I remember it used to be €200 with DD nad €400 without.

Kimia

Yea that's it. You sound exactly like the person who I was talking to on the phone. I was never informed about this 'policy' when I signed up.

twenty8

ESB actually do exactly the same. You can get it back after 8 months. Consider it a way to save €200.

JDxtra

Sounds fair to me to be honest. Im sure they have been stung by renters in the past doing a runner. Think of it as a low interest savings account!

petes

Kimia wrote: »

Yea that's it. You sound exactly like the person who I was talking to on the phone. I was never informed about this 'policy' when I signed up.

Thanks. Either was I when I had to do it. No information but it is on the website as far as I can recall.

It's not called a security deposit for nothing!

dudara

I checked out the Big Switch with the same intentions - having been an ESB customer for over 10 years now - only to find this deposit clause.

Now in fairness, I can understand why they apply it. But I think that they could do a little more to promote it in their advertising.

cute_cow

You have 2 choices. Either sign up to DD and pay €200 deposit or if you don't sign up to DD, its €400.

I beleive if you have had a gas bill in your name in other rented accomodation within the last 3 years, they may be able to waive this.

tony1kenobi

Get your landlord to pay it or move out. Surely heat and hot water are basic services you are entitled to. I don't know if they are part of your rental agreement but I suspect that if you cannot be provided with those you can probably leave.......and landlords can't be picky at the moment.

Cabaal

tony1kenobi wrote: »

Get your landlord to pay it or move out. Surely heat and hot water are basic services you are entitled to. I don't know if they are part of your rental agreement but I suspect that if you cannot be provided with those you can probably leave.......and landlords can't be picky at the moment.

BG is entitled to cover its arse be looking for a deposit, especially with rented accom as its common for people to move on without paying....its the same reason why ESB also looks for a deposit now

The_Conductor

twenty8 wrote: »

ESB actually do exactly the same. You can get it back after 8 months. Consider it a way to save €200.

Its actually after 14 months- it comes off your next bill after you have been a customer for 1 year.

soc

If you're trying to sign-up for BG electricity - then go for Airtricity... they don't charge a deposit, and make is easier to budget month-to-month as they debit your bank a/c an equal amount every month.

If, on the otherhand, you're signing up for actual gas from BG... then I'm afraid you're screwed! Sorry!

Little A

tony1kenobi wrote: »

Get your landlord to pay it or move out. Surely heat and hot water are basic services you are entitled to. I don't know if they are part of your rental agreement but I suspect that if you cannot be provided with those you can probably leave.......and landlords can't be picky at the moment.

The landlord is providing the facilities for heat & electricity, but is the tenants responsibility to pay for it. The LL is not responsible for Bord Gais & ESB's T&C's.