We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Electricity usage by estate agents in empty property......
shrewandroo
Posts: 32 Forumite
Hi,
We have had our house on the market since July last year when we also moved out into a rental property. It is a small 2 bed terrace and was marketed at too high a price so had very few viewings. (Thats another long story!)
I read my electricity meter on the day we moved out, and last week have received a bill for £40 worth of electricity being used. The property is completely empty and the only things which would use power are the lights which obviously would need to be on when an agent has shown the property. We have had around 10 viewings in total and so I am very shocked at the amount of electricity that has been used.
Should I talk to the agent, as I'm concerned that they have been leaving lights on etc. Not sure how else to explain the usage. I was expecting to see a very light increase on the meter but 106 units of electricity was used!! Does this seem high to you?
Any comments would be welcome!
We have had our house on the market since July last year when we also moved out into a rental property. It is a small 2 bed terrace and was marketed at too high a price so had very few viewings. (Thats another long story!)
I read my electricity meter on the day we moved out, and last week have received a bill for £40 worth of electricity being used. The property is completely empty and the only things which would use power are the lights which obviously would need to be on when an agent has shown the property. We have had around 10 viewings in total and so I am very shocked at the amount of electricity that has been used.
Should I talk to the agent, as I'm concerned that they have been leaving lights on etc. Not sure how else to explain the usage. I was expecting to see a very light increase on the meter but 106 units of electricity was used!! Does this seem high to you?
Any comments would be welcome!
0
Comments
-
If the house has been empty, has the meter been read or is it an estimate (the energy company wouldn't know that nobody was living there). If the meter has been read, what about previous readings - were they estimates or actuals. You really need to check the reading stated on the bill against the actual meter reading.0
-
No heating? What if there's a cold snap, your pipes freeze and your insurance is turned down as you did not leave heating on?
Perhaps agent has arranged this> Ask?
As for lights, have a word with the agent and ... ask?
But ultimately the agent is acting on your behalf so you remain liable for the bill.0 -
Maybe the LA is charging up all their office mobiles/laptop batteries etc whilst conducting viewings
As above, check whether the bills is based on an a, e or c reading first then have a chat with the LA.0 -
Thank you for replying. In answer to questions, all readings are actuals, read by me. The heating is gas, and yes I have had it on periodically to ensure no frozen pipes etc. It just seems very high!0
-
What lightbulbs? If old style ones have been left on then that'd do it.0
-
2 rooms (kitchen and bathroom) have 6 LED spots and the other 4 have energy saving bulbs in them.0
-
utility standing charges mount up horribly during voids......0
-
-
Confident that someone from the agency isn't using your nice house for overnight stays and consequently using your leccy to cook their Full English every Sunday morning?0
-
this is nearly 6 months of electric costs.. £40 is not a vast amount .... the boiler will have used some if the gas boiler has been left on frost control0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.3K Spending & Discounts
- 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.6K Life & Family
- 259.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards