Empty flat incurring 'standing charge' from Scottish Power

[Deleted User]

macman wrote: »

Some practical advice-switch to a NSC tariff until the property is sold (Ebico being the obvious one).
Why greedy? There is still a cost of billing, metering and maintaining the supply, regardless of usage.
The clue is in the name 'standing charges'...

I guess I made the error of comparing Scottish Power with British Gas! Mum's gas supplier was British Gas. The gas bill was paid up-to-date when Mum went into the nursing home; no further gas was used in the flat; and BG haven't made a 'standing charge'.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

ZED wrote: »

I guess I made the error of comparing Scottish Power with British Gas! Mum's gas supplier was British Gas. The gas bill was paid up-to-date when Mum went into the nursing home; no further gas was used in the flat; and BG haven't made a 'standing charge'.

British Gas have 4 tariffs. They all have a standing charge. There are a few legacy tariffs left without SC, but they're all coming to an end fairly quickly. I suggest you check your latest gas bill carefully.

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/gas-and-electricity/our-energy-tariffs/Tariffs-A-Z.html

antrobus

ZED wrote: »

....In fact I found out this morning that Mum's estate is in negative equity (her flat was mortgaged) so there won't be sufficient funds to pay the standing charge anyway.

A fact which renders all debate on the matter rather superflous. All that is required is a simple letter to Scottish Power informing that, regretably, the estate is insolvent.

[Deleted User]

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

British Gas have 4 tariffs. They all have a standing charge. There are a few legacy tariffs left without SC, but they're all coming to an end fairly quickly. I suggest you check your latest gas bill carefully.

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/gas-and-electricity/our-energy-tariffs/Tariffs-A-Z.html

I 'phoned them yesterday. They confirmed that the account is clear.

Nada666

ZED wrote: »

WOW! How unpleasant are YOU? [...]
Then I got the bill for £69.20 (December 2013 - March 2014).

In fact I found out this morning that Mum's estate is in negative equity (her flat was mortgaged) so there won't be sufficient funds to pay the standing charge anyway.

So why are you making ridiculous accusations against Scottish Power? You are the one who started calling people 'disgusting' for absolutely no reason. It is Ofgem that has introduced the standing charges. Clearly you did not bother to read the earlier communications from Scottish Power telling you of the change in the tariff. You caught it after one bill. What is the problem?

If you think throwing the accusation 'disgusting' about at random people unjustly is unpleasant then do not initiate the shenanigans yourself!

[Deleted User]

Nada666 wrote: »

So why are you making ridiculous accusations against Scottish Power? You are the one who started calling people 'disgusting' for absolutely no reason. It is Ofgem that has introduced the standing charges. Clearly you did not bother to read the earlier communications from Scottish Power telling you of the change in the tariff. You caught it after one bill. What is the problem?

If you think throwing the accusation 'disgusting' about at random people unjustly is unpleasant then do not initiate the shenanigans yourself!

Which "earlier communications"? I didn't get any notification of a change in tariff.
Actually I do still think that a standing charge is disgustingly greedy, especially when one considers the profits that atre being made by energy firms. I wasn't targeting individual people (staff) though.
Can you go and intimidate someone else now please, as I've had enough.

footyguy

ZED wrote: »

... and some don't make a standing charge at all!

So why didn't you move the supply to such a supplier?

How come the mortgaged property has stood empty since 2011?

Presumably you are executor or administrator?
Are you aware that as such you could be held personally responsible for losses to the estate if you are found to have acted negligently?

angelsmomma

Why are you having a go at the op, she lost her mother, she is depressed and talking about the mortgage is irrelevant. How the hell can she be held responsible for the flat not selling.

Bloody keyboard warriors!

[Deleted User]

footyguy wrote: »

So why didn't you move the supply to such a supplier?

How come the mortgaged property has stood empty since 2011?

Presumably you are executor or administrator?
Are you aware that as such you could be held personally responsible for losses to the estate if you are found to have acted negligently?

wow ... it's a l-o-n-g time since I was on the receiving end of SO much interest and attention!
Many thanks for your interest in the nuances of my dull and depressing life footyguy (I guess there's not much on the TV at the moment?!)

OK ... Firstly ... what would be the point of switching supplier when there is no gas or electricity being used in the flat?

Secondly ...the property has stood empty since 2011 because the service charge is £475 per month. That's not a typo. This tends to put a lot of prospective buyers off ... particularly as the many other retirement properties for sale in the same town have a service charge of a considerable less amount! (No, the flat ISN'T in London!)

Thirdly ... in what way have I acted negligently? The flat (Mum's only estate) was advertised for sale (by an estate agent) as soon as I obtained probate (3 months after she passed away). The price has been reduced twice over the three years ... until a buyer was eventually found.

[Deleted User]

angelsmomma wrote: »

Why are you having a go at the op, she lost her mother, she is depressed and talking about the mortgage is irrelevant. How the hell can she be held responsible for the flat not selling.

Bloody keyboard warriors!

Thanks angelsmomma!
It's getting quite tiresome having to answer all these bizarre and irrelevant points. Let us see how well they cope when they're dealing with bereavement, and all the issues that accompany such a sad event (legal and otherwise).