I need Sub-Meter Info

emessy

hello,

Has anyone any information on the legal rights of a tenant when their landlord fits a electricity sub-meter?

My landlord has just fitted one to take readings from my flat above his business. I made sure that he was charging me for domestic rate rather than business rate - but other than this i don't know enough about these meters and, in short, i don't trust him or his methods. He never puts anything officially in writing everything is a casual arrangement, including the tenancy agreement which is a joke. My last bill (for last month was £98.00) and the half month before that £58.00

Ive read that the meter should have been calibrated before fitting (to ensure it can indeed take accurate readings). Minimum i want an official bill which show my usage so i can at least get help with the cost. I read that since he put the sub-meter in he, effectively, becomes my electricity supplier - so hasn't he got a responsibility to ensure i have a bill and not just scribblings on a post-it note??. Basically i want enough information to present to him to see if he's pulling a fast one. Failing this I'll move and i pity the next sucker that moves in.

thanks in advance.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.


Under the law, landlords cannot make a profit from selling you electricity.


If he is paying a business rate, how have you insisted that you are charged a domestic rate?


He should pay 20% VAT on a business tariff, you should only pay 5%. How is that arranged?


How is the daily standing charge apportioned?


So yes he should tell in writing you what you are being charged.

[Deleted User]

They cant make a profit from flogging you electric..unless, like many landlords do, they re bypassing their own main meter and collecting 100% all profit on your energy use.. , it does happen

spiro

Cardew wrote: »

If he is paying a business rate, how have you insisted that you are charged a domestic rate?
He should pay 20% VAT on a business tariff, you should only pay 5%. How is that arranged?
How is the daily standing charge apportioned.

In terms of the VAT he will do this through the input and output section of his VAT return. I also believe he can't pass on the climate charge levy. In terms of the unit price I agree you have to pay what he pays. If you use google I'm sure you'll find lots of details on this topic typically published by councils.

emessy

@Cardew, sacsquacco:
hello thanks for your replies ...

I don't think hes making profit from the charges - but unless i can be sure its has been fitted properly and is only reading from my flat it seems immaterial.

quote: "If he is paying a business rate, how have you insisted that you are charged a domestic rate?"...

... I simply asked him to make sure that any calculations are using the domestic tariff - i didn't know what it was and he worked it out based on what he pays at his home since they use the same supplier (Utility Warehouse).

As for the standing Charge; ive no idea, more importantly neither it seems has he.

Who do i need to contact to get him to comply with this criteria - i rang Utility Warehouse but as i'm not their customer they cant really do much. Can Ofgem step in??