LPG help please

steamroller

Hi, I've just moved to a house with LPG central heating (never used LPG before), and I had to pay an amount to the landlord for the gas that was already in the tank and I have been sent a contract to sign for future supply by Calor Gas (which is for 2 years), which for some reason my landlord seems quite keen for me to sign. I haven't signed it, and don't think I am going to because the central heating doesn't seem very efficient and I have a wood burner so am considering heating the house in a different way.

My question is can I just tell Calor that when I have used the gas in the tank I don't want any more? and/or can I just buy some LPG from Calor as and when I want it without committing to a 2 year contract?

The landlord says I am getting a group discount if I sign the contract and he contract price they are quoting is 45.50 plus 16.90p per day standing charge?

david29dpo

You should be able to buy gas off calor without signing a contract, however you may pay more. I have never heard of a standing charge with LPG. You as a tenant should be free to choose from any supplier. Shop around, local companies are better than the big boys.

LittleVermin

Welcome to the forum!

1. The tank will be owned by Calor (only a very few tanks are owned by the user) so the "standing charge" is tank rental. 16.90p per day is standard.
2. Somewhere in the contract for supply of LPG - which the landlord or former tenant signed - will be a clause about exclusivity, i.e. only Calor can fill the tank.
3. As david29dpo says, local independents will often (usually!) give you a better long term deal. Major suppliers' price very rarely goes down when the wholesale price drops (see here and follow-ups). But you'd need to sign a contract with a different supplier (probably for 2 years), and your landlord might object.
4. 45.50ppl is a 'fair' price right now. See here and other posts.
5. Calor may have an auto-top-up for the tank - possibly driven by telemetry on the tank. Best check this asap! As david29dpo says, you should be able to buy LPG from Calor without a contract - but you'll need to pay the tank rental (assuming it is in your lease).
6. IMO info about the tank and supply should have been explained by the landlord - and discussed! - before you moved in. AND I hope the landlord paid the previous tenant for unused gas.
7. There are a few posts from tenants about LPG supply. Mostly in the main Bulk LPG .. thread (you can try the "Search this Thread" - but most just asked questions without posting what happened afterwards!).
..

steamroller

thank you for your help david and littlevermin. I am not looking to sign a contract with any supplier so hopefully, as you say littlevermin, I would like to purchase LPG from Calor as and when needed. I know I will pay more but I'm hoping not to use much (if any) as looking to heat the house and water by a different means.:)

LittleVermin

steamroller wrote: »

<snip>
I am not looking to sign a contract with any supplier so hopefully, as you say littlevermin, I would like to purchase LPG from Calor as and when needed. <snip>

I would check, asap, the existing contract - signed by previous tenant or landlord - to see about top-ups. You may have a telemetry device fitted, Calor may come round topping up tanks 'before the cold weather', etc .... and once the LPG is in the tank several people have posted that it's very difficult to get it removed*. There have been several quite shocking posts about behaviour by the major companies, including threats about taking people to court (even when the LPG has not been ordered - and even when the company has been told NOT to deliver). I would consider sending Calor a letter by registered post that you do not want the tank filled unless - and until - you order LPG, AND leave a laminated copy attached to the top of the tank by the filler cap.

Suppliers get their money for the use of the tank partly from the rental charge and partly from the price charged for LPG - so if you use very little LPG you may find Calor wants to up the rental. I'd check the small print on the contract (even if it is not your contract!) very carefully!

*Technically it's very simple to remove the gas - it just gets pumped back into the tanker. This happens if a tank needs to be 'uplifted' (i.e. removed) when it is not empty.