Old Tenants did not register meter - what do I do?

Hele_an

Hi

I have just moved into a new one bed rental property (top floor of Victorian Terrace). Having taken the (what I assume) gas and electric metre readings for my flat I was still waiting for the landlord to let me know who the previous tenants had used as their suppliers. He was having no luck with them so gave me the numbers to call (not sure who) so I could see who we were with.

Having called them they say they have no record of my flat existing - they have the flats A and B but no C. At this point I managed to call the old tenants (we had spoken to them prior to moving in) and they basically admitted to not paying any Gas or electric for the two+ years they were there.

I don't know if they didn't realise they had to register or just assumed the landlord would sort something like this out but anyway. What I am now concerned about is registering the meters - do I just choose the company I wish to use? I don't know if I should tell my landlord as well - does he really need to know? I'm not sure when the conversion of the property was done so I can not be sure that it was my landlord who was responsible in the first place for registering the meter.

Help much appriecaited on this one!

fishybusiness

I would tell everyone that needs to know to make sure there is no comeback on you - including your landlord.

I'd also take some photographs of the meter readings, if you can showing the serial numbers of the meters. That should cover you against any come back for someone else's bills.

lemontart

with regard to gas if you have confirmed with national grid that no registered supplier you must say that when registering with a gas supplier of choice, also the advise above is very good too.

chanz4

First question, how many meters are in the total building. I would call xoserve and ask them for your supplier details using your meter serial number. If no supplier or genuine mpr but a meter, it maybe an ilegal supply.

Terrylw1

As Chanz says, contact the gas and elec distributors and ask them to search for the meter numbers.

Address problems can be common but a conversion is classed as a new connection hence its treated just like a new build. New MPRN's are issued for gas and MPAN's for elec.

Since July 2000, all such changes require the customer registering with a supplier before the meter is fit. All properties were mass registered to the old host supplier in elec in 2000 to eliminate this "shipper less" issue. Not sure how the gas side dealt with this but in a new connection, the supplier needs to register so a meter can be fit.

So, the landlord and previous tenants have been getting free gas & elec. Something you need to know is what your liability is. Basically, the local distributor is losing money as they cannot charge the supplier who bills you. So, from the industry point if view, you can only be billed from the date of registration or later...because the supplier only pays from there..,do not accept any back billing as they know they won't be getting charged before the registration date.

Its unlikely that for both fuels you have no suppliers. Its more likely the address is incorrect in the distributors database. Using the meter number may find you or when you call, tell them how many flats there are and see if they find another one but under a different address.

lemontart

http://www.xoserve.com/
http://www.xoserve.com/feedback.asp


I do not know how a member of the public can contact them but here is the link, please note that the M number line operated by National Grid on behalf of xoserve on 0870 608 1524 cannot search by serial number.

chanz4

Terrylw1 wrote: »

As Chanz says, contact the gas and elec distributors and ask them to search for the meter numbers.

Address problems can be common but a conversion is classed as a new connection hence its treated just like a new build. New MPRN's are issued for gas and MPAN's for elec.

Since July 2000, all such changes require the customer registering with a supplier before the meter is fit. All properties were mass registered to the old host supplier in elec in 2000 to eliminate this "shipper less" issue. Not sure how the gas side dealt with this but in a new connection, the supplier needs to register so a meter can be fit.

So, the landlord and previous tenants have been getting free gas & elec. Something you need to know is what your liability is. Basically, the local distributor is losing money as they cannot charge the supplier who bills you. So, from the industry point if view, you can only be billed from the date of registration or later...because the supplier only pays from there..,do not accept any back billing as they know they won't be getting charged before the registration date.

Its unlikely that for both fuels you have no suppliers. Its more likely the address is incorrect in the distributors database. Using the meter number may find you or when you call, tell them how many flats there are and see if they find another one but under a different address.

The grid however can bill for any gas used, and if its an ilegal supply back billing would not apply as its covered under the theft legislations.


Inregards to xoserve they can search by msn, I use it myself.

lemontart

chanz4 wrote: »

The grid however can bill for any gas used, and if its an ilegal supply back billing would not apply as its covered under the theft legislations.


Inregards to xoserve they can search by msn, I use it myself.

why would national grid charge for gas ? it is not theirs to charge for. National Grid are a transporter not a supplier.

Hele_an

Hi all

Thanks for all the advice. I have sent an email to my landlord explaining that the meters seem not to be registered and to come round and point out which meters are actually mine. Hopefully this will all be sorted soon.

By the sounds of things I shouldn't be charged for any gas or electic that I haven't used which is a relief.

mttylad

if there are more then it is important that you take photos/readings of them all asap.

When you find out which is yours then you can use that.

chanz4

lemontart wrote: »

why would national grid charge for gas ? it is not theirs to charge for. National Grid are a transporter not a supplier.

No they are as you say a transporter, where their is no supplier or theft direct from the mains they do seek to recover costs using an estimated aq for the site.