Official Free Boilers and Insulation guide discussion

simon1966

Ferferksake wrote: »

I'm a little confused about eligibility. My elderly mum has come to live with us and because of her age we have to have the heating turned up and the gas fire on far more often than would be our preference and as a consequence our bills are frightening. She's in receipt of pension credit and I did read that if anyone in the household receives that, then you qualify automatically. Under the circumstances I decided to see what help we might qualify for.

I rang our supplier (British Gas) and they gave me a number to call (it was the Energy Saving Trust or something similar), to check eligibility. He took my details and then asked which benefits I received, when I told him that it was actually my mum in receipt of the benefits he said that he needed to fill the application out in her name. Fine so far. We changed the application into mum's name and then he asked if she was a home owner or a tenant. I told him that she was neither as I was the homeowner and she lived with me so he said "Oh, well she'll be classed as a private tenant then". I could sort of see the logic, she does pay some board towards her keep, so accepted his classification. He agreed that she would qualify and said that British gas would be in touch shortly.

British Gas did phone up and have said that they will contact us to come and do a survey, but they told mum that they will need to see a copy of her tenancy agreement and will need a letter of authority from her landlord. Well quite simply, I've never drawn up a tenancy agreement for her, I've never viewed it as that sort of arrangement. I can easily download an agreement, fill it out and cobble a consent letter together, but it doesn't seem right somehow, it feels like I'm trying to fiddle the system. The last thing I want is to fall foul of the law for providing non-existent documents that they insist on having, so that they can tick a box.

Anyone else have any experience of this? Any advice would be most appreciated.

I had to fill out a tenancy agreement myself as i was in the same position. Carillion my installer sent me a simple form i had to sign and send back - once they received it they were happy to proceed with the installation.

Seems a standard thing - but i agree it doesn't sound right.

wishicouldaffordit

simon1966 wrote: »

What i did was search for the e.mail address of the ceo of my energy supplier SSE - so in your case look for the e.mail of the ceo of E.On and write saying you have waited ages etc and about the charge etc.
You should get passed to someone then that will chase this up for you and get your boiler installed quickly.
I must stree that you need to make a nuscience of yourself, keep e.mailing and phoning till you get your boiler.
If you sit back and wait you will not get anywhere.

once you have a point of contact you can e.mail and call them daily for an update on your case.

thank you - I will certainly do that. I have certainly been making a nuisance of myself, emails and phone calls every fortnight or so since Aug. Have done my best to get it done. V frustrating indeed.

Northy01

I have a tenant who qualifies for the free boiler scheme. I have used a local company completed all the paperwork.they have told me the application has been accepted but because the house is terraced and has good loft insulation it only qualifies for a reduced grant and I would have to pay £1,000 toward the cost!!
They refuse to tell me how much grant the property has been awarded so how do I know whether they are conning me or not? Nowhere have I read that the house has to qualify I have only read that the occupier has to qualify.
Has anyone had similar experience?

lulu999

Northy01 wrote: »

I have a tenant who qualifies for the free boiler scheme. I have used a local company completed all the paperwork.they have told me the application has been accepted but because the house is terraced and has good loft insulation it only qualifies for a reduced grant and I would have to pay £1,000 toward the cost!!
They refuse to tell me how much grant the property has been awarded so how do I know whether they are conning me or not? Nowhere have I read that the house has to qualify I have only read that the occupier has to qualify.
Has anyone had similar experience?

Identical situation. I contacted the approprite person at the enegry supplier who is now investigating my concern. Like you, it's the lack of transparency, in fact point blank refusal to provide details, that makes me suspicious that the installer is on the make.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/59017/contactsforobligatedparties12jul2013.pdf

OAP80wallace

wishicouldaffordit wrote: »

Has anyone been asked to pay towards their installation. I have appointment all booked for installation - now I get a phone call today, legislation has changed. Everyone has to pay towards it now. We are going to have to pay between £750-£1K towards our installation. Need another survey to assess the cost. Not sure what to do now?

I was asked to pay £280 in oct. When the boiler was fitted ,only extra seemed to be earthing in bathroom costing probably a few quid. I have just had a letter back from my MP who has sent all my complaints re Swale Heating and the fact that they will not reply even to a recorded delivery letter to the MD, on to the Dept of Energy and Climate Change. He suggested I contact the Energy Saving Trust (EST)who has an advice and Information helpline, on 0300 123 1234. until He receives the Minister's reply. Hope this helps others. I will keep fighting !!!!! Never give up.

POLAR_BILL

I had my boiler fitted free 6 weeks ago and yesterday water was dripping fairly fast from the magna clean filter. A phone call to N Power was all that was needed and the problem was sorted the same day. Someone came and resealed the unit.

OAP80wallace

POLAR_BILL wrote: »

I had my boiler fitted free 6 weeks ago and yesterday water was dripping fairly fast from the magna clean filter. A phone call to N Power was all that was needed and the problem was sorted the same day. Someone came and resealed the unit.

Yes,there must be SOME good firms out there. My experience has just been one long hassle. Engineer from Swale came to try to diagnose why my new boiler is intermittently making clicking noises. He saw the torn ceiling paper and drip left by Swale , said they usually do a good job and he will report it. Perhaps I shouldn't hold my breath! I am more interested in why they took £280 from me.

wishicouldaffordit

Little update from me - the installer has called and said it was an error and I now don't need to pay towards it and installation is going ahead as booked. I also had an email from the rep of the CEO of E.On who spoke to the MD of the installation co. and they can't understand why I was told there would be a fee to pay at all. All seems a bit fishy but I am very glad it all seems to be going ahead as previously told. Thanks everyone for input and advice.

wishicouldaffordit

OAP80wallace wrote: »

Yes,there must be SOME good firms out there. My experience has just been one long hassle. Engineer from Swale came to try to diagnose why my new boiler is intermittently making clicking noises. He saw the torn ceiling paper and drip left by Swale , said they usually do a good job and he will report it. Perhaps I shouldn't hold my breath! I am more interested in why they took £280 from me.

have you contacted the CEO of the energy company who paid for your installation?

sydneyneedshelp

I've been advised that we are eligible for a new boiler - great! BUT apparently only if we get rid of one of our water cylinders. I thought one wasn't working but apparently they are both working (one of the immersions doesn't work!). They told me that you are only eligible if you have one water cylinder. This seems a bit a daft as being a family of 2, it obviously helps having 2 tanks.


Anyone heard this before? Help would be appreciated.