how legal is it for the gas company to charge me for no service or product?

Question

i recently tried to have the gas turned on at my home but the man said he couldnt since he detected a leak in the line that had to be repaired. i told my landlord and after a month he had a plumber come out and declared it fixed. the gas man came out and said it still leaks so it is still off. 
in the mean time i recieved a bill for 82 bucks (i asked for this percentage of income monthly payment), i called the gas company and they say another such bill is on the way dispite the gas never being on. they said this is their policy since the account is "active", i asked what was active about it besides the billing and was hung up on.
do i have to pay for no service or product?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

a plumber fixes WATER pipes !!....not GAS pipes !!

you're being jerked around

Anonymous · Answer

You're on a plan where you pay a flat rate for gas regardless of how much you use. You're not using any gas now, but in January you might use $400 worth and you'll still pay $82. Once a year or so the gas comppany will reconcile what you've paid with what you've used and you'll get credit if you're ahead. The gas company isn't doing anything wrong here. 

Your dispute is with your landlord.

? · Answer

The gas and electric are in your name so you are responsible for the bill, but the landlord is responsible for repairing the leak.

I have no idea how you are getting billed for no usage at all. Are you getting an estimated or actual reading on the bill? If its estimated when they do get an actual reading you will be credited.

You don't HAVE to pay, but I'm sure you don't want to take the credit score hit.

Edit- Ah, I see. What you pay now will be credited to your account when it does get fixed, so you aren't giving them your money for nothing. If they don't credit your account then I would raise hell.

Rosalie · Answer

Contact the Department of Public Utilities for your state, and lodge a complaint.
https://www.puc.state.oh.us/secure/PicForm/index.cfm?intype=complaint

The accounts receivable unit is far,far away from the srvice side of any utilitiy - and the service side would have to notify the accounts section. What they would of course prefer to do, is keep billing you, take your money and use it to invest, and then refund whatever you didn't get in gas. Keep in mind they could also lag behind in turning your gas back on, once the repair has been made and service restored to the line.

? · Answer

Yes you do. No one is going to force you.
If you do not pay, it will be cut off and you will have to pay again.
The account is active, pay it. If you do not you will go around in circles but still have to pay.
You may get the days with no gas taken off, but no guarantee.
It is a matter of your behavior toward the gas Co.

PS:
You are paying for an active account.
do as you wish but if you do not pay? You problem.

Anonymous · Answer

Why would you sign up for such an idiotic plan?

I would tell them to F off and not pay.  Just when the line is fixed be prepared to not get service.

Anonymous · Answer

maximum states have some sort of regulatory company that oversees utilities. Poke around your state's stable information superhighway internet site till you detect yours. that's the situation to start.

Bob · Answer

You need to go to the gas company office and speak to someone who can respond responsibly..

Anonymous · Answer

Forward the bill to you landlord. It's his or her problem. You told them and its still not fixed.

Anonymous · Answer

they can bill you, doesn't mean you have to pay it.

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how legal is it for the gas company to charge me for no service or product?

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