Please help. Do I have to pay for Electricity??

charlietoby

Myself and my girlfriend rent out a two bed flat.

When the old tennants left they sent a meter reading (apparently) to Utility Warehouse of 11338, this is supposed to have happened on the 30/10/2011.

When the estate agent read the meter on the 3/11/10 it was 11684. The flat had been left empty literally no one had been in. The new tennants moved in on the 8/11/10 and started their electricity reading from the above reading.

I was sent a bill for £66 for a period between 30/10/10 and 8/11/10 and haven't paid it. I spoke with them on the 18/12/10 and again at different periods trying to explain that the meter reading given from the previous tennants is wrong.

They will not accept this and constantly send threatening letters from debt collectors and solicitors. After speaking with a man at Utility Warehouse today he said I need documentation to prove what I am saying otherwise they will keep chasing me for the bill. I asked to speak to his manager to get the matter resolved. Didnt happen.

Where do I stand legally, is it even possible to use that much electricity, £66 for 3 days, plus the reading was taken by an estate agent, adds credability to my point??
Surely to take my money they need to prove what they are saying not the other way around??

Please help really stressing me out now :mad:

McKneff

Looks like, to me, the old tennants sent in a dodgy reading.

Good job you got the EA to take the reading. I would think that stands you in good stead

Hope all goes well for you, let us know how you get on.

BargainGalore

Can you not ask EA for a letter supporting your case ie meter readings they took?

Cardew

From Utility Warehouse's point of view, someone has used the electricity and it needs to be paid for; not an unreasonable position.

Utility companies uderstandably will not get involved in a third party dispute. If they send a revised bill to the old tenant and he refuses to pay stating that the meter reading he gave was accurate, what happens?

It really is up to you or the EA to claim back that money from the previous tenant. Normally the EA holds back a deposit until these matters are cleared.

charlietoby

The deposit was kept back because the tennants trashed the house, smashed the bathroom up, holes in the ceiling etc.

Does anyone know what would happen if this matter actually went to court though.

Surely common sense would come into play and they would realise that it is a bill for the old tennants.

This was all explained to Utility Warehouse, do you think it may have something to do with the fact that the old tennants moved back to China and they are unable to get hold of them so they just chased me for it?

I appreciate the Utility companies are due this money but should they not read the meter personally to prevent false reading. Surely this is an oversight on their part.

If I get the estate agent to write a letter then they are just going to say that I used the electricity in the 3 days previous to this?!

Thanks for all your replies they have been helpful.

advantix

Utility companies cannot just jump and read a meter the day a tenant moves out. It takes approx 10 working days to get a meter read appointment. Not all people ring before they move out of a property yet alone 10 working days before!!

If there is DOCUMENTED proof of the reading (eg a signed checkout form including the reading) for the tenant then the reading should be changed and the accounts rebilled. If not then it is a third party dispute between you, your tenant and the letting agent.

chanz4

photo evidence is the only proof, even estate agents dont know half the time inc meter readers how to read properly. Was any heating left on while empty

DVardysShadow

The key point you have to address is what was the date at which the tenancy ceased? If it was 30:10:2010, then the tenants' reading should stand because your agent did not take his reading in time. If it was 03:11:2010, then tenants are responsible for electricity from 30:10:2010 to the day the tenancy ended.

charlietoby

The mains switch was flicked. There really wasn't any electrie used. This isn't the issue though really.

The electric has been used at some point so they are due their money but why are they choosing to believe the tennant on this matter rather than myself? Why don't they chase the tennant for the money instead of me.

the tennancy had run its course and they were staying on a month to month basis. So I take it I have to pay then? It isn't the money more the principle and the customer service I have recieved has been shocking to say the least.

As stated I have contacted them to explain the situation which they have said was fine I was even told that there was no outstanding bill at one point and now I am recieving solicitirs letters. Just seems wrong to me.

Thanks for all the advice

Cardew

Whilst it is pretty obvious the old tenant that owes the money, it is impossible for UW to know that for certain.

Unless you or EA disputed the tenant's closing meter reading at the time, UW have got to accept that reading as correct.

molerat

The reading should have been taken on the last day of the tenancy by yourself or agent and agreed with the tenant. They are chasing you because they can contact you, you are the easy target. As the tenancy seems to have ended in a bit of a mess this is just one of the costs you have to suck up in your business venture as a LL.