Ener-g Switch2 Standing Charge

Greenpenguin

Hi there,

I've just moved into a new build flat and have received my first bill from the gas supplier, 'Ener-g'. They are charging us £2.16 per day standing charge in addition to the cost of any gas we use. I have phoned the company and they have confirmed this is the correct charge and will apply every day that we are in the property.

They also said that we would not be able to change energy supplier as they provide the communal boiler. We're really not sure what we can do here - it's a 2 bedroom flat and this charge seems extremely excessive.

We're private tenants in the flat and our tenancy contract says that we need to pay all utility bills including any standing charges. However, after speaking to the energy company they said a large proportion of the standing charge is for maintenance of the boiler and for free repairs if there are any problems with the boiler. Later in our contract, it says that our landlord is responsible for the maintenance of the flat and any repairs, so we feel like we're paying for something that we're not responsible for.

Does anyone know if it is possible to change energy suppliers in these sort of circumstances? Or if you have any experience of querying this sort of charge with a letting agency (we suspect that as the energy company describes the maintenance and repair fee as 'standing charge, the letting agency will say it's our responsibility under the terms of the contract)?

Would appreciate any advice, as at the moment we're facing over £60 per month in gas bills before we've even used any gas!