Heating Supply Contract

rmadillo007

Hi All

Our landlord has installed a new Biomass district heating system on our estate. We were told in advance that it would be going in - but basically thats it. Have had several bills now for usage but what im really wondering is - Should we not have a contract for this? We had our own heating energy supply previously. Not been asked to sign anything, no terms given etc just a bill each month with units used etc.

Help would be much appreciated

Ta!

macman

What does your STA say about this?

rmadillo007

Thanks for reply

I assume you are meaning my tenancy agreement?

If so it says that we are responsible for paying bills (electric etc) however that is the same agreement that we have had for many years as been living here a long time. The landlord does not send the bill from themselves. Instead they have created a separate company for the district heating system and we get the bill from them. Obviously when anyone signs up to new electric, gas, telephone etc they agree a new contract etc. regarding charges and terms - but with this we have had nothing. Just wondering if that's right?

Thanks

Cardew

Do you live in NI by any chance?

If you have a 'district heating system' what fuel was used before Biomass?

I would very much doubt if a rental agreement gave tenants the right to approve the type of heating fuel. What would happen if 90% agreed with the switch to biomass and 10% didn't?

matelodave

Can we assume that you've always had a district heating system and that they've just changed the main boiler to biomass. In which case you've probably always been paying for your heating, possibly through your rent and they've changed the way you have to pay for it.

Have they come in and done something to your system, like install heat meters or do you pay a fixed amount for what ever you use or have you always had a variable tariff. If it was in your rent and you now have to pay a separate heating charge, has your rent gone down to compensate.

Its difficult to know what has actually changed or whether you've been disadvantaged by this change without a bit more info. The best people to talk to are the Citizens Advice Bureau if you've suddenly had a big hike in prices.

rmadillo007

We used to have an oil fired combi boiler and we were responsible for paying for and ordering the oil, the district heating is new to the property (run on wood chip). We are now charged through a heat meter. Told when it went in that it should be cheaper than oil and we thought "great". Doesnt seem to have happened though. Bills work out more than what oil would have cost us.

matelodave

I asume that you agreed to have the oil boiler removed and the district heating system connected - have you no documentation or agreements or even notifications. I would have thought that it would have been a fairly major change - digging up the streets to get heating pipework into your house/flat and then you giving them access to connect it up.

Did you have an option, was it clearly spelled out what was going on and what the cost would be. I dont know where you live but its been extremely cold for a prolonged period this winter so any sort of heating will have cost significantly more this year compared to the last couple of winters.

Unfortunately with a district heating system you have no control over what its going to cost except by turning it down. At least with oil, you could choose who to get it from and so get the cheapest deal.

If you are being charged via a heat meter then you should know how much each kilowatt costs and if there are any standing charges - how does it compare with gas, oil or even electricity. You should have at least been told how much it would cost per kw, rather than "it'll be cheaper mate"