Landlord using my supply for communal lighting

flibblesan

I have been in my current flat since February 2008. There are 4 flats in total situated above a shop and each property has it's own electricity supply and meter, with a fifth meter for the landlords supply. A few weeks ago I had my meter changed by E.ON and when they cut the supply to my meter it turned all the communal lighting off. The engineer had a quick check and confirmed to me that all the communal lighting has been coming off my fuse box and thus my supply. This means that since February 2008 I have been paying for the lighting of the hallways, stairs and outside.

The E.ON guy said it would be a big job to rewire these to the landlords supply. Where do I stand on this? I currently have rent arrears with the landlord which I am paying off by £75 per month. I feel that I should ask for the landlord to pay me for the electricity use since I have been in the property which is estamated to be £10 per month by the E.ON engineer. I'm currently paying in excess of £40 per month on electricity for a one bedroom flat where I live alone and have very few electrical items.

thank you

N79

Of course, ask away. Is there any reason to think that your LL is even aware of this problem? Your LL may well be as shocked as you are.

I suspect it dates back to when the building was built and no-one has ever noticed

preable

Tell your landlord and say you will pay the bill but he must deduct the money owed ie - £10 per month from your arrears

DVardysShadow

As N79 says, ask away. If you don't get an answer you like, you could try pulling the relevant fuse except when you want the communal lighting. But do try and get it sorted by discussion.

sooz

At the same time, change all the communal bulbs to low enegry ones. Electricity companies were giving them away, but most supermarkets have them for 10p now.

lee636

Totally off topic and not sure if anyone will remember or know but this thread reminds me of the show 'Bottom' and the episode where Richie and Eddie try and steal the next door neighbours gas supply through the wall on the landing and end up with a massive gas explosion! :rotfl::rotfl:

sonastin

Did the guy from E.ON give you his estimate of what its costing in writing? It'll help your case if you can show some evidence of an independent valuation when you ask the LL

pinkshoes

I'd ask the LL to reimburse you at £10 per month since you moved in, and insist it's deducted from your arrears.

If he refuses, then I think you're quite entitled to pull the plug on the communal lighting, as it's unfair you should have to pay for it, particularly if it's not in your contract.

Tigsteroonie

I'd pull the plug (fuse!) on the communal lighting now, and wait to see what the other tenants or LL do about it - but that's coz I'm wicked

Norman_Castle

with a fifth meter for the landlords supply.

Does the landlord get a £0 bill?.

The E.ON guy said it would be a big job to rewire these to the landlords supply.

Thats not your problem.Ask for the communal lighting to be removed from your meter as soon as possible.

flibblesan

I've contacted the rental agent twice by email and once in writing and so far I've had absolutely no reply. I expected this from her as she only ever gets in contact whenever the rent is slightly late. I have no direct contact with the landlord as everything goes through the agent.

I do not know if the landlord receives a £0 bill for the fifth meter. The e.on engineer couldn't tell me and E.on themselves cannot provide me with this information due to data protection.

The communal lighting comes through my fuse box which is fitted with trip switches instead of fuses (not sure what you call this exactly). The box is accessible by all flats as it's situated downstairs next to the meters. I have now switched off the communal lighting and informed the agent of this.

All lightbulbs have been changed to low energy since February 2009 when I moved in. I did this myself each time a bulb went using a load of free bulbs I had.

I don't have anything in writing from E.on regarding the lighting. I will contact them.