Landlord has installed prepay meter

cinereus

I signed my contract about 6 months ago. All bills were included. Now the landlord has installed a meter and wants me to buy cards and pay 16p/unit. He deducted £25/month off my rent but I calculate it will cost me more like £35-£40 with the meter.

Do I have any rights here?

chanz4

where has he installed the pre-pay? also is it connected to another main meter?

dogshome

Look at your lease - If it says that Elec is supplied within the rent, with no 'Get-out' clause and the rent is fixed for the lease term, the L/L can't change the deal mid-term.

The L/L must not profit on the price he Pays for/Sells Elec for, but he is allowed to add an administration charge for the paperwork - so the rules are generallyon his side

Of course if you stand on your rights the chances are the lease won't be renewed at end of term, but 16p a Kwh is quite expensive so would you want to stay with a L/L who's pushing his margins on the Utilities.

cinereus

chanz4 wrote: »

where has he installed the pre-pay? also is it connected to another main meter?

It's in my flat. No idea what it's connected to outside.

dogshome wrote: »

Look at your lease - If it says that Elec is supplied within the rent, with no 'Get-out' clause and the rent is fixed for the lease term, the L/L can't change the deal mid-term.

The L/L must not profit on the price he Pays for/Sells Elec for, but he is allowed to add an administration charge for the paperwork - so the rules are generallyon his side

Of course if you stand on your rights the chances are the lease won't be renewed at end of term, but 16p a Kwh is quite expensive so would you want to stay with a L/L who's pushing his margins on the Utilities.

Pretty sure the term was only 6 months.

I know he can't profit but how do I know how much he pays?

This seems to be a rent bump in all but name - as I'm out of term I guess I have no rights?

Man_Overboard_2

Did you not discuss this with your landlord before allowing access to your flat for the installation of the meter?

cinereus

Nope - it was installed when I was on holiday. He cornered me on the way to work before it was activated though and because I was in a rush I foolishly said it was okay to let the electrician in.

But what's done is done - what recourse do I have now?

Man_Overboard_2

cinereus wrote: »

Nope - it was installed when I was on holiday. He cornered me on the way to work before it was activated though and because I was in a rush I foolishly said it was okay to let the electrician in.

But what's done is done - what recourse do I have now?

If your six-month tenancy agreement has rolled over onto a monthly basis, then the landlord has to give you notice of any change to the tenancy. If you don't want to accept the change, then you have the option to negotiate or move.

If the six-month agreement was renewed with a new six month agreement, then you both have to stick to the terms of the new agreement until it expires.

cinereus

It is now on rolling contract. It says I need to give two months notice to move out. Does that mean they needed to give me two months notice too?

patman99

Find out if the meter 'piggy-backs' off the one installed by the energy provider. Once you know whether it is a direct replacement, or if it sits in between the main energy meter and the fuseboard, then we can help further.

Man_Overboard_2

cinereus wrote: »

It is now on rolling contract. It says I need to give two months notice to move out. Does that mean they needed to give me two months notice too?

I expect so, and in the meantime, the original terms of the agreement will remain in force, so I guess you'll be able to knock off the cost of your prepaid electricity from the rent

cinereus

It must piggy back. It's a split-building and the meter I pay into is in my kitchen in my self-contained flat.