PLEASE advise!

cheekychic

Hi I'm new to the forums here and having a bit of a time of it!

I moved into a flat last september and currently share it with my boyfriend and 2 other people, both of whom were living there when I moved in, when I 1st moved in I was contributing £30 pm to gas and elec which seemed ok between 4 of us.

However, this is the difficult part, the guy who sorts out the Gas and Elec on the key (we don't have bills just the key meter) is now saying that we are using £360pm in gas and electric.

I just need some help on a couplf of issues, because I think this is completely wrong and either he is shafting us for money so that he pays no bills or we are being charged such a horrifically extortionate amount.

I have no experience with gas/elec meter at all, I looked last night and out electric has £140 on it and he claims there is £300 on the gas meter but I couldnt see anything at all (readings, money etc) when I looked......in order for me to find out I am going to have to closely examine our usage because I am horrified at how much we ar epaying.

The flat is a split level, 4 bed and large front room place, can anyone else give me a rough idea of how much they are using in a similar-sized place?? So I can start building up knowledge of what the flip is going on!

Much appreciated people!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi

£360 per month does seem a lot for your property. Particularly as you were only paying £30 each per month previously.

A lot of information can be taken from the meters.

Electricity key meters will have a button on the front (this is often blue). Press this with the key out and make a note of the display. Keep pressing the button and note the different displays that come up. There are 14 displays in all.

Once you reach display number 11 you will need to put the key in to see the final 3. These are important as it will tell you if there is any debt set on the meter.

If debt is on the meter it will be collecting at a set rate each week. So each time you top up part of the money will go to re-paying this.

Other settings will give you information about what rates you are paying for electricity, the meter readings and how much money is on the meter.

I know you are paying through the key but suppliers have a duty to issue a bill. This will detail the rates the meter should be on. Check the rates on the meter are the same as those on the bill. If they are different the meter may be set to the wrong prices.

Most gas prepayment meters are quantum meters. Similar information can be taken from these.

To do this press and hold button A (this is usually red) with the card out of the meter. Wait until you hear a beep and a display appears. Note the display and continue pressing the button.

Each time a different display will appear. There are 32 settings on these meters. Once you reach number 23 you will need to put the card in to find the remaining settings.

Again, you will be able to see if there is any debt set on the meter.

Ask your flatmate to see previous bills for the property. Look at the meter readings and see if the amount used has gone up a lot. It may be you are using more and need to look at ways of economising.

Are you named as jointly responsible for the bills with the supplier? If you are and your flatmate cannot provide the bills contact your supplier and ask for copies.

Modern prepayment meters send information directly to your supplier through an electronic link. Therefore, your bills should be based on accurate meter readings.

Were the electricity key and gas card sent when your flatmates took over the property? If you are using a previous occupant’s key or card there may be debt from them on the meter.

If you are still unsure contact your supplier and ask them to advise. If you are not named on the account they will not talk to you because of the Data Protection Act. In this case, find out who the named person is and ask them to give you permission to discuss the account.

filmnoir

Before getting bogged down in who uses what and whos paying what under what account to the supplier find out what was exactly agreed in your tennancy aggreement. For example if its in your agreement that £30 was all ammenities then he needs to go back and change the agreement. As stated there could be debt/high charges etc.

If he is the landlord or has it in his name, he is responsible. Due to their being multiple tennants its harder to work out who has used what regardless of whats on the meter, especially with a shared living room.

If he is the landlord there are specific guidleine if he is reselling electric and gas to tennants. If he is not the landlord, my suggestion is for him to pass back the responsibility of this back to the landlord/agent and for them to do it correctly following the reselling of electricity and gas rules.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Consumers/Documents1/1970-mrp.pdf