Excessive Electricity Charges

sportinggenius

I live in a block of flats where 2 flats share a communal hallway.

Our electricity charges last year were typically less the £5 per year (we only switch the lights on when entering the hall and it automatically switches off after 1 minute). EDF energy has been charging us £2 for the electricity usage and a whopping £51 for the daily surcharge! So the surcharge is 2550% of the actual electricity :mad::mad:. EDF says this is the lowest tarriff and it's because OfGem wanted electricity bills to be clearer. How can this be fair for a user like myself???

Anyone out there in a similar situation (there must be) and who do you use?

Andy_WSM

The communal area must have it's own supply, which, whether or not it's used, has to be paid for - at business rates too I'm guessing, so "no standing charge" tariffs are out. It may well pay, if you have a committee that runs the flats, to have the supply for the lights fed from one of the residents and they receive a small amount each year from the residents fund as compensation.

Terrylw1

Do you rent off a landlord and does your neighbour? If so, the communal supply has to be in the landlords name unless he/she has somehow added it to the tenancy agreements. Normally, its classed as a landlords supply but it does so times end up in a tenants name in error until the supplier understands what & who its for.

If you bith own, then legalls who owns the communsl area? If both, you will need to sort it out with your neighbour which is where a tenants association style agreement is needed but this is you g to need to be covered by a solicitor as its a contract between the two of you.

In terms of rates, a landlord supply is set to business rates because he/she is running a business. If you both share liability as you both own it, you are domestic rate as you are not trying to make money of it. In terms of standing charge, there is nothing you can do other than get on a tariff without one if possible...but you have to resolve all the rest first.

And remember, whoever is on that bill is currently liable until proved otherwise.

undaunted

Much as I can understand your frustration they don't appear to be doing anything illegal here.

Can you switch suppliers or find another alternative? (eg for £5 per year you can't be using much electricity so is a 12v lighting or similar system an option?)

sportinggenius

Thanks for your posts.

I own the freehold, together with another flat owner so we should be classed as domestic rate.

The good news is I think Atlantic Electricity do a tariff which excludes a standing charge but the electricity costs more but it's not 2000% plus!

The tricky situation is going to be trying to recover some of the costs EDF has already charged.

Ultrasonic

sportinggenius wrote: »

The tricky situation is going to be trying to recover some of the costs EDF has already charged.

Were you an existing EDF customer and EDF changed the tariff you were on? Did they write to you to advise you of the change? If they didn't then you'd have grounds to claim a refund but otherwise I'm afraid I don't really see how you would be entitled to reclaim any money.

Terrylw1

sportinggenius wrote: »

Thanks for your posts.

I own the freehold, together with another flat owner so we should be classed as domestic rate.

The good news is I think Atlantic Electricity do a tariff which excludes a standing charge but the electricity costs more but it's not 2000% plus!

The tricky situation is going to be trying to recover some of the costs EDF has already charged.

If they have been charging you business rates as a domectic, they are in the wrong and you should raise it as a complaint and get the whole difference back if possible. The supplier needs to prove why they added you to a business tariff and if they have no proof, push for as much as possible off them.

You really need an agreement in the share as well but I think you will need a solicitor for that part as its normally where su h as tenants associations are set up. Just be sure to cover your liability.