electric/landlord

Budgie2_2

Hi, Just moved into a newly refurbished flat.
Can the landlord somehow use all the tenants electric to run the lights in the communal areas?
One of the other tenants turned everything off in his flat and checked his meter and it was still using electric to the tune of £10 a month. (he is the only tenant with a meter in his room) if landlord does this to everyone it's a fair amount every month.
We cannot access the meters ourselves as they are in the basement which is always locked and only he has a key along with the builder.
If he is doing this is it legal? I am worried about my bills now as the communal lights are on 24/7

Ulfar

Do you have fuses or trip switches next to the meter.

Is the building an HMO or split into separate flats ?

It does sound dodgy and if it is a building split into separate flats would expect other things have been done that wouldn't meet building regs.

What you can do is pull the fuse/turn off the trip switches one by one to see when communal lights go out.

If they are on a separate fuse/trip switch turn off.

Make sure all the communal lights are energy saving bulbs as well, are there external lights being run from this as well ?

Whatever happens be prepared to move as landlord will not be happy when you challenge.

Budgie2_2

hi, the flats are separate flats not HMO.
we have a consumer box in a cupboard but tbh I have no idea what I would be looking at/for.
There are outside security lights and the hallway lights are over 10 foot high, I have no chance of putting energy light bulbs in, just had a hip replacement.
The landlord is very nice really but it does bother me that I cannot get in to read the meter as I have just changed suppliers and they want me to check and send meter reading every couple of months so the DD is enough to cover costs.

DominicJ_2

Can the landlord somehow use all the tenants electric to run the lights in the communal areas?

Practicaly, yes, legaly, no.

We cannot access the meters ourselves as they are in the basement which is always locked and only he has a key along with the builder.

I'm certain thats illegal, you have to have access to the electricity/gas meters and cut offs.

If he is doing this is it legal? I am worried about my bills now as the communal lights are on 24/7

Probably not, or at least it would have to be agreed in the contract.

Its far more likely the electrician who installed the communal/external lights just spured off the closest circuit.

As Ulfar said, expect S21 rather than remedial works.

G_M

I would be very unhappy about this arrangement.

Since "The landlord is very nice really " I would start by having a chat. Explain you need access to read the meter for the supplier. At the same time, ask which meter is yours, and which one runs the communal supply. See what he says.

If you get no cooperation, then consider following up with a more formal letter. However, as others have said, th LL may decide that the cost of installing a new communal meter is not in his budget and it's easier/cheaper to get rid of a pushy tenant.

So much depends on what kind of tenancy contract you have. If you have just moved in, and have a 12 month contract with no break clause, then you are secure for 11 months....