Flat hardly occupied - Standing Charge

Premier_2

Energyman wrote: »

Premier

I have stated twice in two previous posts that the topic in question was pre-payment meters - Why are you insistant on having a go re other matters and a hypothetical situation regarding at event that hasn't happened.

...and as I have explained, it was you that originally brought up that you have included a clause within your tenancy agreement that suggests you will withhold a tenants security deposit in full if they change a meter.

It was that clause that I have told you would not be enforcible.

Energyman wrote: »

If you have queries re my letting agents I can supply you with their details.

If you have queries regarding my taxes / NI / VAT I can recommend a good accountant - You know nothing regarding my circumstances so I refute your allegations and ask that you withdraw any insinuation or allegations regarding my tax matters immediately and apologise. Are you man enough?

I have no need of you knowing your letting agent or your recommendation of an accountant.
It was you that suggested you would charge a tenant 4xyour hourly charge.
Unless you are self employed as a Landlord - you don't have an hourly charge and so cannot deduct it from a tenant's bond.
If you are self employed as a Landlord, then you would be required to pay tax & NI on those earnings - as well as all other earnings you make as a LL. If that were to be the case, I think you should look for a new accountant yourself

As for apologising - well I have nothing to apologise for as I have simply explained the error of your ways.

Energyman wrote: »

This is a board for discussing energy matters - can we return to subject? or else drop this thread and stop posting allegations.

This is energy related. You brought up the matter by stating you have included a clause within the tenancy agreements of properties you let that means you intend to withhold tenants bonds if they change the utility meter.
What allegations? Your the one making allegations now! (i.e. that I am supposed to have made some allegation against you)

Energyman wrote: »

The 2 questions which you did not answer (amongst your rants) are below - perhaps you would like to answer these questions instead?

'I am wrong in my views or do other people agree it is wrong to change a meter against express written agreements signed with the owner odf a propertyy'

'If a utility company fits a pre payment meter, in the circumstances described above, who pays for it? You and I in the form of higher bills for the rest of us. We are paying for the meter change over and subsidising their debt, which they will pay back at a few pounds per week. If they do a bunk and don't pay - even higher bills for the rest.

Do they care ? Yes or no?'

I think I have answered those questions, but I'm happy to reiterate those answers that you clearly have missed.

You are wrong to believe that you can withhold a tenants bond should they change the meter. You can only withhold that part of the bond representing the cost that you actually incur in having the property put back to the condition it was originally let (fair wear & tear excepted).
You cannot go and make up hourly charges for your own time; as a landlord that is the service you provide.
If the bond is protected as it most probably should be, you should be providing details of that protection in the required form to your tenants. With the bond protected, you wont even be able to withhold the bond - it's LL's like you who tried to unreasonably withhold bonds that was the reason for introducing legislation on tenancy deposit schemes.

If a utility company were to fit a PPM, then the tenant would be responsible for paying the necessary costs (assuming the tenant is the account holder which is typical of many tenancy agreements). If LLs weren't unlawfully witholding bonds or failing to protect the bond when they should do, then maybe the tenant would be in a position to pay their bills.

I more interested whether you care in taking your responsibilities as a landlord seriously, when your not otherwise maligning your customers.

Energyman_2

You remind me so much of my ex-wife! Like a dog with a bone - always had to have the last word, NAG NAG NAG.

So I paid my dodgy electrician to wire my pre-payment meter so it electrocuted her when she topped up the credit. Then she died from carbon monoxide poisoning from the faulty fire. I got a dodgy builder mate to build me an extension (without planning permission or building regs of course!) and we buried her body under the foundations. The really good news was that the letting agent could increase the rent and all the work was tax-deductable so my accountant is happy too!

I am sure you will have loads of fun disecting this post! -(or you could just get a life!)

juno-eclipse

Well thank you for those enlightening posts Energyman, i was in rather a dull mood but perked up once i realised what lovely landlords i have and that id rather live on the street than be a tennant of yours, perhaps you should take your own advice in the last post, and get a life?

Anyway, thanks everyone who helped, and i think i might move to Ebico for the nill standing charge, although it is a little higher on unit charge im. Is there a minimum use with Ebico? As il probably only put £10s on every few months?

Thanks again,

Premier_2

juno-eclipse wrote: »

...Anyway, thanks everyone who helped, and i think i might move to Ebico for the nill standing charge, although it is a little higher on unit charge im. Is there a minimum use with Ebico? As il probably only put £10s on every few months?

Thanks again,

No, there's no minimum use charge with ebico.
You only pay for what you use all at the same standard unit charge rates.
If you don't use anything, you dont pay anything