What your British Gas contract says

In short

This is a domestic dual fuel energy supply agreement with British Gas (Centrica). You pay monthly by direct debit for gas and electricity delivered to your home. British Gas buys energy wholesale and supplies it through the national grid to your metre. On a standard variable tariff your rates can change with 30 days' notice; on a fixed tariff the unit price is locked for a set period. Ofgem, the energy regulator, sets a price cap that limits what you can be charged on a variable deal.

What you agree to do

• You must pay your energy bill each month, usually by direct debit.
• You must provide accurate metre readings when requested, or allow a metre reader access.
• You must tell British Gas if you change your bank details or move address.
• You must not tamper with the gas or electricity metre.

What you can ask for

• You can switch to another energy supplier at any time without exit fees on a variable tariff.
• You can cancel within 14 days of signing up (cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013).
• You have the right to a smart metre installed free of charge.
• You can complain to the Energy Ombudsman if British Gas does not resolve your complaint within 8 weeks.
• You can request a payment plan or apply for the Warm Home Discount if you are struggling to pay.

Points worth knowing

• Variable tariff rates can change with little noticeOn a standard variable tariff, British Gas can raise your rates with just 30 days' notice, up to the Ofgem price cap. Your bills could go up significantly between cap reviews.
• Early exit fees on fixed tariffsIf you leave a fixed-rate tariff before the end date, you may have to pay an exit fee (typically £25-£50 per fuel). This means you could be locked in even if cheaper deals appear.
• Estimated bills can be inaccurateIf you do not submit metre readings, British Gas will estimate your usage. This can lead to unexpectedly large catch-up bills when an actual reading is taken.
• Debt collection for non-paymentIf you fall behind on payments, British Gas can install a prepayment metre, pass your debt to a collection agency, or apply to disconnect your supply as a last resort.
• Auto-rollover to expensive variable tariffWhen a fixed deal ends, you are automatically moved to the standard variable tariff, which is usually more expensive. You need to actively choose a new deal.

Dates and deadlines

Monthly direct debit

Collected monthly; amount reviewed at least twice a year based on usage

Cooling-off period

14 days from sign-up (cancel with no penalty in this window)

Annual statement

Sent once a year summarising your usage, costs, and whether you are in credit or debit