:( Yet another big huge money problem

GibbyGab, it's definitely extremely suspicious.  No way your gas bill should be that high!  Hoping the gas company can get you sorted.

Thats insane! No, your gas bill shouldn't even be close to that. Definitely go see the Citizens Advice Bureau and also speak with British Gas asap to let them now your suspicions--just as others have said. Good luck, stay assertive and remain confident that you can get this sorted because you are completely correct to query this. x

I think it's outrageous that your landlord won't even look into this issue for you.  I know my Hungarian friends have been helped a lot by CAB in disputes they have had with their landlord.  It has been an amazingly helpful resource and if you do need to take anyone to court and your income is low they will help you to avoid fees and court costs.

BG should be helpful.  We once realized they hadn't sent us a bill for months (we are billed quarterly) and it turned out to have been nearly 10 months!  Because we reported it to them, they gave us a huge discount and they are extremely flexible on when the bill has to be paid in full.

Hope you get it sorted out and so sorry you are facing this on top of everything else.

So we did a little investigation and found that the washer does have two pipes leading from it to our flat. One for cold and one for hot water(I think). Then we used it and compared the meter readings. It's definitely using our boiler to heat the water! We're getting someone from British gas to check it out and give us something in witting in case I need to take this to court.

Until you get it sorted, you can partially control the use of your gas.  Might be a pain, but turn off your boiler at the wall switch or turn it off by the off button on your boiler.  That will prevent your gas from being used.  The weather is warming up, so you shouldn't need to have your boiler on as much -- just turn it on when you need it.

Another thing you will need to look at is water.  If you are paying a water bill and the cold feed is coming from your flat, then I suspect you are paying for the water as well.

If the washing machine is communal and there for everyone's use, then your landlord should have a separate supply for gas, electricity and water to power that machine.  Unless he can show you these communal supplies (and their associated meters), I'd be very concerned that he's powering a communal washing machine off individual tenants' supplies.

Thanks for all the support you guys. It means so much to me. The landlord actually told me at the beginning to pay the water bill but then I read his ad for this flat and it said water is included. So there's no way that I'd be stuck paying for the entire building's water as well.

I just have another few quick questions. I realize that the bond should have been put into a deposit scheme. Does this mean that if he hasn't he can get into trouble? Also he only lets me pay him in cash or cheque but never into his bank account. Is that a bit fishy too?

I don't mean to bother you guys, I'm just so angry with him, I want him to get into trouble because of how crap he treats all of his tenants. By the way, I've witnessed him walking into one of my flat mates flats when they weren't in a few months ago(I didn't know this was illegal at the time).

Thanks for all the help and support

Thanks for all the support you guys. It means so much to me. The landlord actually told me at the beginning to pay the water bill but then I read his ad for this flat and it said water is included. So there's no way that I'd be stuck paying for the entire building's water as well.

I just have another few quick questions. I realize that the bond should have been put into a deposit scheme. Does this mean that if he hasn't he can get into trouble? Also he only lets me pay him in cash or cheque but never into his bank account. Is that a bit fishy too?

This along with what everyone else has been saying would set off alarm bells for me. I'd really be sure and check about all other bills. I don't think you'd want anymore surprises.

I would really, really be clear about about all your concerns, maybe outline them in detail, and and contact the CAB as soon as possible if you haven't done so already along with everything else you have been doing and the other suggestions, along with contacting British Gas.

See also:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/RentingAHome/DG_10020862

Glad you are moving out.

If he hasn't put the deposit in a scheme you def. need to visit the CAB as you will be able to take him to court for 3 times the amount of the deposit.  This was my friend's situation. 

If he hasn't put the deposit in a scheme you def. need to visit the CAB as you will be able to take him to court for 3 times the amount of the deposit.  This was my friend's situation. 

Hehe this put a huge smile on my face. 3x the deposit would be sweet!