Large gas bill... for an electric only flat!

Terrylw1

If there is 1 gas meter, the supplier only holds the landlord/management company liable for the full amount and they have no interest in your dispute, hence will continue to pursue it regardless.

So how it becomes a matter of your t&c's.

The form you signed, I think, is not quite what you believe. I think that form was to state you were directly liable for elec to a supplier and the landlord/management company would use that to proved themselves from paying your bill if you did a runner. This is normally in the tenancy agreement.

If this is the case, it doesn't mean you are not liable to pay for the gas you use but are not directly liable to a supplier. So, you can still pay via a service charge, % added to rent or via a seperate invoice provided just for this.

So, check the wording.

Also what about the other tenants? How do you know that you aren't getting charged more than them? So check it out.

Something else to consider is billing frequency. Why now? Should you have paid in increments as they got billed? Were they not getting billed and have had a lump sum bill from the supplier hence they are now interested? Are they trying to charge you for something already accounted for in another charge you pay as they are getting hammered for their gas?

Also, be aware that Ofgem don't allow them to resell at a higher rate than they pay for it. However, this hasn't stopped even large management companies from slapping all sorts of "administration charges" on top to make a profit. There is one such legal case running at the moment over this with businesses who pay this way to a management company.

You also need to know if they are paying as domestic or business. To be business they have to defined as making a profit out of the premises but its tricky with landlords and you would need to check the HMRC definitions on this or you may be overpaying for their higher rate VAT & CCL charges. You may also be paying based on business rates which could be higher or lower than domestic rates.

I can't remember the HMRC rules on large landlords but its common to see the smaller ones as domestic rates.

You really need a full itemises breakdown.

You would be liable to pay for gas usage but it may have been within something you already pay.

You are not directly liable to a supplier though unless your individual flat has its own MPRN & meter.

Also consider some points on here, especially about calculation and readings/periods, etc.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3983067

dogshome

Yet again, Hmmm - Unless your Agent is contracted by the buildings owners to be the 'Manageing Agent' responsible for running the whole block, any letter from the Agent is not worth the paper it's written on - Look at your lease to see who as a tenant you have actually made your contract to occupy with - It's only this person or firm who's letters hold legal weight.

The whole situation is bordering on script from the Goons - From the Agents letter, not only are you supposed accept the return of a reduced deposit, but you are also required to write a blank cheque against bills of unknown value to be issued at an unknown date in the future, and more than that, it's your responsibility to chase them for the details of this future bill.

As before, get out now and change your Email address a.s.a.p