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High Bill
MSAS
Posts: 8 Forumite
Hi,
I am occupying my current flat from past 3 months. I received my 1st electricity and gas bill (after submitting meter readings). On receiving my first bill I was shocked to know I was charged £750 for 2.5 months of usage when we didn't have such bad winter this year. Out of curiosity asked my landlord if the bills were of similar value when previous tenants stayed on which he informed me that he was sharing bills with them because gas and electricity is shared and that there is only a common single meter (shared between the two flats).
I was shocked to hear this because we were not informed about it and it is not stated in the tenancy agreement as well.
What are my legal rights in this case and can I take any legal action against my landlord? Please advice.
I am occupying my current flat from past 3 months. I received my 1st electricity and gas bill (after submitting meter readings). On receiving my first bill I was shocked to know I was charged £750 for 2.5 months of usage when we didn't have such bad winter this year. Out of curiosity asked my landlord if the bills were of similar value when previous tenants stayed on which he informed me that he was sharing bills with them because gas and electricity is shared and that there is only a common single meter (shared between the two flats).
I was shocked to hear this because we were not informed about it and it is not stated in the tenancy agreement as well.
What are my legal rights in this case and can I take any legal action against my landlord? Please advice.
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Comments
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So is the £750 for both flats or just yours? You say you submitted a reading and got a bill, so how is that apportioned between the two flats if it is a shared meter?0
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1) Please quote exactly what is said on the tenancy agreement regarding utilities.
2) Have you checked the meter readings on the bill against reading you took on the 1st day of the tenancy? And is the latest reading correct? Estimated?
3) Whose name is on the account?
4) what does the LL now say about the bill? Has he agreed to share it (as he apparantly did with the previous tenants)?0 -
750 £ is for both flats, meter is common (we have only been told this now). I have been told that the bill will be shared in half.
1) Tenancy agreement has standard clause on utility bills that I should notify the suppliers of my tenancy start date, to pay all services to the property including gas, elec.
2) The reading was checked when the tenancy started. The latest reading was correct that I submitted (not estimated)
3) My name is on the account.
4) The LL now says he will share half of the bill (like he did with the previous tenants).0 -
and the other flat, is another tenant living there, or does the LL live there?
Either way, if the LL is now offering to pay half the bill, that is a vast improvement. It is not ideal of course, since
a) the bill is in your name despite responsibility for (half?) the bill lying elsewhere
b) a 50% split does not account for difference in usage between the flats. Indeed, it encourages both flats to be profligate with usage.
My suspicion is that this is perhaps a house that has been illegally split into two flats - hence the shared meter. What about council tax? shared? etc0 -
and the other flat, is another tenant living there, or does the LL live there?
Either way, if the LL is now offering to pay half the bill, that is a vast improvement. It is not ideal of course, since
a) the bill is in your name despite responsibility for (half?) the bill lying elsewhere
b) a 50% split does not account for difference in usage between the flats. Indeed, it encourages both flats to be profligate with usage.
My suspicion is that this is perhaps a house that has been illegalky split into two flats - hence the shared meter. What about council tax? shared? etc
Yes the landlord lives in that flat. We don't know if they pay any other bills for the flat they occupy.0 -
Turn the electricity off .... let the LL pay half of £0.0
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You're paying him rent and subsidising his energy consumption? Sod that for a game of darts. Ask for a separate meter; if he won't get one, it's probably because the flats and tenancy aren't set up properly...this could get messy for him.Mornië utulië0
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Sounds like something dodgy is going on!
As above, do you have your own council tax bill?
Tempting to switch the electricity off when you go out!Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')
No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)0 -
Other issues aside, surely even half of £750 is ridiculous. My bills for gas and electric for a similar period are just under £100 for a 3 bed flat.0
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