Small Flat Mangement Company Switching Electricity Supply

Palhil

Hi

I wondered if anyone could give me some advice. I'm in a slightly unusual situation and I'm not sure what to do. I'll try to explain.

I live in a building that has been converted into four flats. The flats each have their own electricity meter but there is a fifth meter that is only connected to one plug socket in the shared hallway of the building. This meter is paid for by the management company that is run by the four owners of the flats. I am the owner of flat 1 and act as the management company secretary and pay the bills from the company account. The current supplier for this meter is Southern Electric on a standard tariff. As the meter is only connected to one plug socket, which occasional get used for vacuuming, our total electricity usage is quite minor. At most I'd say we only use 2 - 3kWh a year.

Since Ofgen changed the way that Standing Charges must be billed I've discovered that our yearly bill has now gone from a few pence to just over a hundred pounds. This is impractical for such a barely used supply.

My options seem to be to have the meter disconnected or find a supplier who does not bill for a standing charge.

I've found that NPower sell a tariff without standing charges. However, I'm worried that they might not accept a meter with such low usage. Also, one of the questions on the application form asks if I am the Owner, Landlord or Tenant. I am not sure how to answer this as it is the management company that pays the bill. Although my name is listed against the current Southern Electric account.

I spoke to someone at uSwitch and they said that since it was not a domestic supply it would come under a Micro Business account.

I'm just wondering if it's worth the hassle of getting the supplier switched. I took on the duties of the company secretary from the previous owner. They originally set up the current contract and then transferred my name to it when the moved. I have a feeling they probably set it up as a domestic account, the management company is not named on the bill. If that is so, then I imagine it's a bit naughty.

I do know that getting the meter disconnected is free and relatively simple. It would still be handy to keep that electricity supply but it's not essential. The people in the flats would just have to use their own supplies to vacuum the hall.

I wondered if anyone had any advice. Thoughts?

Thanks.

dogshome

So we have 4 flat dwellers who own the building in common, who U switch say should be on a 'Business Supply' contract for the lighting/power of the communal passages and stairways - Strikes me Uswitches answer is more commision driven than a statement of fact

The OP should look at Switching to Ebico - though n'power are an alternative, they are like to bring more paper-work grief to the account holder than any saving is worth

Palhil

Thanks for the reply.

I'm thinking that it's going to be more trouble than it's worth. I've checked the hall and stair lights and they are all connected to the respective flat's meters. So this fifth meter really is only connected to one plug socket.

I'll contact Southern Electric and arrange for them to disconnect it.

Thanks once again for the help. It's much appreciated.

Palhil

Sorry Dogshome, you replied while I was typing.

I'll take a look at Ebico. But I'm still inclined to just get rid of the meter.

When I spoke to uSwitch the operator did want to put me in touch with a business account adviser but I said no.

wavelets

If the bill is in your name and is used entirely for domestic purposes, I don't know why you have any trouble getting a residential tariff?

You certainly should only be paying the domestic rate of VAT (5%) anyway rather than the business rate at 20%

When I lived in a flat, our 'communal meter' was on a residential tariff, no problem.

At just 2-3kWH per year consumption, it doesn't sound like you even have much vaccuming done.

Ebico will definitely accept you if supply is used for domestic purposes.
But it might be cheaper having the meter out completely to avoid the standing charge (or the large unit price Ebico and similar no standing charge tariff providers will apply)

DJC1690

i dont understands peep is not pay DSC any way peep like you pay 60% more of the DSC coz you (text removed by MSE Forum Team) the systerm over big time btw!!!!. im glad ofgem get rid of the aud systerm ie NSC fur good.

chanz4

It also depends if the mpan is registered as a landlords supply, if this is the case you wont be able to switch to a domestic tariff without ecoes been updated.

Palhil

Thanks for the extra comments.

I've decided to have the meter disconnected. It seems the easiest thing to do.