Incompetent Letting Agency

InsideInsurance

Fussy wrote: »

Is it the tenants responsibility to provide the reading legally ?

TBH, no idea from a purely legal view point however from a practical view "in my day" it was common for the leaving and incoming person to provide different readings even in the simple case of a sale rather than tenanted property.

In SSE we had a simple process to follow to deal with the disputes which was basically to check the dates the readings were claimed to have been taken to see if that explains it, if it doesnt or the difference is massive then get someone out to read it for the company.

mattyprice4004

Fussy wrote: »

Thank you, I have been in contact with the Utility Company (Utility Warehouse) and they are refusing to budge on it.

They say they are taking the written reading from the agency as confirmation and agreement between the last tenant and the agency of a correct meter reading and that I am responsible for the difference (I never saw the letter but have asked to see it under FoI).

How will FOI help? That's not applicable as they're a private company.
Before threatening things, always read up on it first to make sure you don't make a fool out of yourself.

Herbalus

Fussy wrote: »

When my last tenant moved out in February, I couldnt be there and the manager completed the check out with the tenant. I had my rep (family member) go into the house the following day and take photos of the meter readings and clear it to release the bond.

Do you still have these photos? More evidence than a letter.

You also might want to ask the utility company what the previous reading was. If the usage between then and check-out would be peanuts without the 500 units, it's likely that the tenants owe it. If the usage would be ridiculously high including the 500 units, it's likely that they didn't use it.

500 units of electricity is a lot. Imagine seven 3KW heaters on for 24 hours.

ILW

Surely it is the tenants resposuibility to check the meter and finalise the bill. If they have not done so they are probably still liable.

sujac

We've always taken a photo of meters whenever we've moved out of rented or when we've sold/bought a house. Takes the stress away in case you loose the piece of paper & have back up if any issues arise. Won't help you now but maybe insist on letting agents doing this in future.

Fussy

Herbalus wrote: »

Do you still have these photos? More evidence than a letter.

You also might want to ask the utility company what the previous reading was. If the usage between then and check-out would be peanuts without the 500 units, it's likely that the tenants owe it. If the usage would be ridiculously high including the 500 units, it's likely that they didn't use it.

500 units of electricity is a lot. Imagine seven 3KW heaters on for 24 hours.

Yes I still have the photo, and I sent it to the Agents, which is when they implied that I should get the meter checked for a fault.

The utility company stated that the last reading they had was in September 2012, and was 3940. The next one they received was the wrong one on feb 27th 4460 (which should have been 4960). It's a 2 bed end terrace, full central heating. So that's at least 5 months usage over last winter.

Herbalus

Fussy wrote: »

Yes I still have the photo, and I sent it to the Agents, which is when they implied that I should get the meter checked for a fault.

The utility company stated that the last reading they had was in September 2012, and was 3940. The next one they received was the wrong one on feb 27th 4460 (which should have been 4960). It's a 2 bed end terrace, full central heating. So that's at least 5 months usage over last winter.

Have you sent the photo to the utility company? Surely they will accept a photo over a letter from the estate agents.

In terms of numbers, your figures make the calculations easy. If the estate agent's figure is correct, the tenants used 520 units over 5 months (150 days) months including winter. That's just over £100. The alternative is 1020 units over the same period, maybe £200 or so. That's more believable for winter.

Ask the estate agents how you managed to use, in 24 hours, the same amount as 5 months over winter. Copy in the utility company and show them the photo again.

wealdroam

Herbalus wrote: »

Ask the estate agents how you managed to use, in 24 hours, the same amount as 5 months over winter.

That question has already been asked of the letting agents.

In the original post we were told:

Fussy wrote: »

When I asked [the letting agent] how a meter can go up 500 units in 24 hours, she told me I needed to get the meter company to check out any faults.