lady electricity con by landlord DESPERATE

bordercars

poppysarah wrote: »

CAB.

You could live without using ANY electric for a week and work out how much the bedsit uses.

(Utterly impractical I know)

Is it legal to be sharing meters like that? Does it imply building regs not complied with?

not so impracticable, go on holiday for a week and turn everything off. as its your meter could turn off at the mains.

poppysarah

bordercars wrote: »

not so impracticable, go on holiday for a week and turn everything off. as its your meter could turn off at the mains.

That wouldn't work out how much the bedsit used and wouldn't solve the problem the landlord has created.
I'm not saying it wouldn't be "interesting"

olly300

Rick62 wrote: »

I don't know the law on this, but, first the energy supplier is at fault, if the two properties are legally seperate do they not have any duty, in particular if they cannot clearly identify your usage then can they enforce payment?

The energy supplier is not a fault at all. I've lived in a property where the electricity meter was shared between 2 properties.

It's actually the landlord's fault.

The landlord should have informed you that the electricity meter was shared between 2 properties when you moved in and either:
1. Sorted it out so you were both paying a cost attributed to the size of your properties
2. Let you sort it out between yourselves.

I should state in my situation the landlord was very happy when he got the cost to put in a separate meter for the other property, however the tenant in that property became extremely difficult when he realised he would have to pay more towards his electricity usage. Once the landlord agrees to fund the cost to put the meter in it's up to the tenants in the property to allow access for the work.

It worked out with the previous tenants in the property we were all contributing roughly the same.

Rick62 wrote: »

You landlord is at fault, he is guilt of fraud, but not sure if that fraud is versus you or the energy supplier (may depend on first question above).

Personally I would not pay the existing bill, stating clearly in writing that I would pay once they can identify your usuage clearly itemised. I would be willing to compromise and pay a far estimate (based on typical usage for size of property, number occupants etc). Going forward I would demand a new meter that is just for the property I was in, I don't know why are saying about feeding it hundereds a month, are they demanding a cash meter?

Rubbish and you will get the OP into legal trouble.

As suggested by Fred1 get in touch with the housing charites ASAP. Contact Shelter today on the phone and see if they can give you some advice - 0808 800 4444.

Then go to your local MP's surgery ( www.theyworkforyou.com will locate them) with the letter from EDF and ask if s/he can help you sort the mess out.

As Fred1 stated make sure you move after your fixed period is over. If the landlord acts crooked in this situation there maybe other things he is doing.

beaujolais-nouveau

problem123 wrote: »

PLEASE RESPOND EVERYONE I AM DESPERATE

You need to start a "paper trail". While you are waiting to be able to talk to CAB and Shelter,

1. keep a diary of bills - dates, amounts;
2. write a record of every conversation you have about this, with your landlord and the bedsit occupier and EDF (date, time, who said what);
3. make a list of the appliances etc in your flat that use electricity;
4. and call out the electricity company to confirm officially that "your" meter is also recording electricity used by the bedsit: after EDF have confirmed in writing that your meter is also recording electricity used by the bedsit, I would write to them pointing out that that occupier is unrelated and unconnected to you and has his own separate tenancy agreement with the landlord;
5. put in an order to EDF to install a separate meter for your flat (you don't have to wait to do this, it is for the benefit of the paper trail firstly);
6. find your tenancy agreement and send a copy to your landlord with a covering letter pointing out that it says nothing about paying for the electricity used by another of his tenants. (I think that your landlord might deny the conversation you had with him after 23 December.)

If you have to pay any electricity bills here on in, in order not to be cut off, put in writing that you are doing so under duress because you are being obliged to pay also for electricity that you are not using.

It is dangerous to use the word "fraud" until after a conviction. Use a phrase like: seeking to obtain pecuniary advantage by deception.

Hope this helps.

Zelie

If the landlord gets difficult about paying you back for the bedsit's share then throw his own words back at him: If the bedsit's energy consumption is minimal then why does he have a problem paying for it!

espresso

More info about the resale of electricity here.

tinypawz

OMG....I didn't want to read and run. That is absolutely not fair!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Best of luck getting everything sorted...

Sonofa

Your landlord is despicable. An absolute conman. He takes money from the other tenant for bills and all the while you are paying for it.

What about your other utilities, gas, water, etc?

Check these out too if applicable. This man is stealing from you on a monthly basis and has done for the last six months. Take legal advice from Shelter and CAB and keep your dealings with the LL to an absolute minimum until you know where you stand legally.

sweetstudent

I work for an electric company, not EDF, however they WILL NOT CUT YOU OFF, all they will do is obtain a court order (chargeable to you) and change the meter under a court warrant.

Other than that all i can do i sympathise with you, but i can only agree with the fellow posters.

Gorgeous_George

If I was the OP I would cobble together a spreadsheet to work out what my bill should have been. Be fair and reasonable and do not underestimate your usage.

You need to know the wattage of everything, how long it was likely used for each day and the rate the electricity wouild be charged at.

Once you have a final figure, write to your LL and tell him that you are prepared to pay this total. It represents the electricity that you believe you have used. Pass him a copy of the spreadsheet. If he refuses to help resolve your problem with EDF, you could use the small claims court. It is possible that a criminal offence has taken place. If you are not satisfied with your LL's response, speak to the police (as well as the small claims court).

Keep EDF informed. They are victims too. But DO NOT pay the bill without seeking legal advcice first. If you pay, write 'UNDER PROTEST' (or something similar - speak to a solicitor for the correct term) across the cheque.

If your LL does not resolve this situation, I'd be looking for somewhere else to live. What else is this incompetent fool capable of?

GG