One gas meter, 3 flats

sarahlouhelp

I have recently moved into a property (rented) where I am the larger of three flats. I got meter readings and serial numbers when I first moved in and thought nothing more. When I was trying to change over providers though I was requid to have an mprn number (or whatever it's called for gas supply).

I rang national grid as I was told to by all the websites and they had tremendous trouble trying to find it. Then once they had I was told there was only one gas meter for this property (all three flats).

This worries me especially as I have noticed that our boiler runs sometimes when we are not using it. I have checked the manufacturers information and it does sometimes heat a small amount ready for when the hot water is needed however I noticed that when it runs and we aren't using it, I can feel the flow of hot water coming from the boiler.

Unfortunately the gas meter itself is in a garage which I don't have access to. I know that the other flats may only have electricity due to being smaller which I will ask them, but with the boiler running thing, I am assuming not.

My question is, what should I do about this as I can't afford to pay other people's bills. I am hoping to view the meters shortly so is there anything I need to look out for? I am also worried now that the electricity may be the same.

Any help would be appreciated.

matelodave

Try turning the boiler off for a day or two to see if anyone complains. You should have access to your meters other wise how do they get read. You should read your own meters every month just to make sure that your bills are correct.
There is no point in getting worried and doing nothing about it - make arrangements with whoever has access to the meters for you to go and check it out properly and then either get a key so you can read your own meters or arrange to read them YOURSELF regularly, at least once a month. Do not rely on someone else to do it for you. Who read the meters when you moved it - it should have been you, not the landlord, caretaker or letting agency.
You are entitled to access your meters and to be able to shut off the gas in the case of an emergency.

[Deleted User]

Is the rent inclusive of gas and electric ? Its not usual for this but I do know a few flats where this occurs. Sorry to say that the last one I spotted the landlord was quite happy to provide free gas because he d substituted an ebay bought gas meter for free gas for a housefull of Poles. He could then charge an elevated price and make a bigger profit. Its also odd that the meters locked away. Many landlords do this, for nefarious reasons in some cases.
To check the meter is the correct one, the serial should match the one on the account. Absolutely no way should you be paying for others hot water and heating .It would nt work even on a 3 way split

Richie-from-the-Boro

What does your rental contract [4 corners] say, example :

- rent inclusive of unlimited water, gas and electric bills @ £pm ?
- aggregated [3 way split] can never be 'fair use'
- what does your rental contract say ?

KTF

I would be amazed if your boiler is also being used by the other two flats. Have you tried turingin off the water heat function so it only works on demand?

Why dont you have access to the meters in the garage?