Electricity bill...Landlord making money out of us???

1carminestocky

And here's me thinking Peter Rachman had (fortunately) died...

Premier_2

A LL can install his own meter, (e.g. it could be a sub-meter from a supply that provides more than one property) but he can still only sell electricity to you at the rate he pays. The meter itself usually says who owns it if it belongs to a supplier - this might be the old regional distribution area if the meter is old.

If he hasn't got a bill yet, then he hasn't paid for any himself ... and neither should you. Tell him you will be happy to pay once you see the bill sent to him by his supplier.

Do you live above a shop or something? Could you be being charged at commercial rates rather than domestic rates?

Prinky

no, there are no shop in the building. There are 10 flats here and I am surprised that no one has ever tried to find out what happened with this.

Anyway we are going to see the Landlord today. We will let you know if we have any new information about this.

Premier_2

Purpose built flats? Or a property conversion?

Purpose built flats would usually have their own independent supplies. A conversion may have one supply meter with each flat sub-metered by the LL's own meter - though that type of set-up is usually found more in bed-sit type accommodation.

The reason I ask is that if you have your own independent supply (also evidenced by your meter belonging to the supplier) then it would be interesting to understand why the LL doesn't want you to have your own contract with the supplier (other than it prevents him from illegally overcharging you).

Prinky

We have found out which supplier our landlord is using. I called them and they told me that they do NOT charge our landlord £0.20/unit but much less...£0.1258!! Therefore we know now that our landlord is making money out of us and out of our foreigners neighbours (who, like us, do not know the english law or their rights) We are definitely going to take actions, with the citizen advices bureau and if it is not enough with a lawyer. Thank you all for your answers and if you know anybody in our situation, (if they pay the electricity directly the bill to the landlord without seeing any bill) tell them to be careful!

brightonman123

i would ask to see the bill, and pay direct.

Ken68

Could be Prinky, 12.78pence PLUS vat PLUS standing charge. Don't upset LL before you know for certain.

Ken68

Wouldn't the power company be out of order re. Data Protection Act in telling Prinky the details.

hippey

20p/kwh is not the worst, but is the use being recorded on an Electricity company meter, or is it one the LL has fitted , and possibly wrong?

space_rider

When I used to work for EMEB we were allowed to say what we were charging and I used to tell customers to inform trading standards if they were being charged too much. Don`t know if thats appropriate now.