Quit everything , and start again over 50?

another_casualty

Regarding the Dodgy electric meter that's being changed.
A friend of mine, says i shouldn't pay . I got an estimated bill , and set up,a direct debit with them . I think it's best to pay . What say you ?

harz99

another_casualty wrote: »

Regarding the Dodgy electric meter that's being changed.
A friend of mine, says i shouldn't pay . I got an estimated bill , and set up,a direct debit with them . I think it's best to pay . What say you ?

That largely depends on the size of the estimated bill and what they based it on as you yourself have no usage history to go by. Its their faulty equipment thats caused a problem so they certainly shouldn't be stinging you. Pherhaps a post in the energy section asking advice on your rights in such situations?

another_casualty

Thanks harz . I initially did a thread, but the moderators moved it into a utility warehouse section, so I hadn't a reply for some time.
I posted a new thread a little while ago .
The landlady swears by them . She'll be swearing even more when she has to pay for a replacement meter. She hasn't yet responded to my message telling her about the situation .

Smodlet

AC, please tell me you took a meter reading the day you moved in... If not, I strongly recommend you take meter readings every day, at the same time of day for at least a week. Personally, I would do so indefinitely even after the new meter is fitted; it is rare but not unheard of for new (or new to you?) meters to be faulty. Save these meter readings along with the dates and times taken in a spreadsheet/Word document as proof of what you have been using.

It is January, the coldest month of your residence so far in this flat, so I seriously doubt you used more in December than you will this month or next. If all this sounds like too much hassle, it will take you two minutes once you get into the habit and possibly save you hundreds of £s as you will be able to prove your typical usage. If the landlady did not take meter readings when her last tenant moved out, that is her problem and her responsibility. She should have insisted you take them together when you move in. Never mind. You can prove when you moved in and, if you can also prove how much juice you use, you should be able to avoid paying for the previous tenant(s)' usage, which is what I fear you will end up doing "to keep the peace"... Helping, not badgering, honest!

S xx

another_casualty

Thanks smodlet .
It's a pita , going on my hands and knees all the time .
You make some good points there.
I will read once a week, and may send email to them daily to prove my point.
Yes , I gave readings when I moved in as did the landlady .

One of my friends thinks I shouldn't pay anything . I have a feeling, if o don't then the bill will be much larger by march . It would be nice to get a free month though

I know obviously what I should be paying ,if you compare my previous flat and this .
If the bills go past what I expect to be paying then I will go ballistic

We'll see

Smodlet

I know what you mean about the hands and knees bit, AC. Our leccy meter was great, old-style, at a decent height, big numbers, little wheel going round and round so you could see how fast you were burnin' the juice, then we got solar panels (the free ones, we're not rich) Had to change to a new, back-stop meter, made perfect sense, no iffy bills but, tiny, need to be a contortionist to read it, agony bending that low for that long as the display fluctuates between the reading and the message that it has a "reverse feed" i.e. we are sometimes feeding back to the grid. I may sue when I get down there and cannot get back up again; it is only a matter of time.

Good luck and please, do not be ripped off!

another_casualty

Thanks smodlet . Mid February will be when I find out what gives

dreaming

All this talk of being on hands and knees for the meter readings reminds me of my last house where elec. meter was very low to ground and in cupboard. The first time I had to read it I realised that although I could lie down on the ground I still couldn't read the *****thing as due to wearing varifocals I have to look through the bottom part of my glasses and I couldn't tip my head back far enough to see the reading whilst lying on my front so I thought I would try lying on my back and wearing my glasses upside down! That didn't work so I tried kneeling on top of the cupboard and leaning over - fell off cupboard! Then tried using my digital camera but couldn't get the angle right. Luckily youngest came home (with her young joints and 20/20 vision) and read it for me (with much eye-rolling and shaking of head).
Now I just have to stand on a chair to read the electric as it is above the front door (in a cupboard) but am due to have smart meters fitted in February (if they can do the gas as that is in a fitted kitchen cupboard). Also have solar panel meter but that is only quarterly whereas I do the others monthly - and I don't mind doing that as I'm getting the cash!

another_casualty

Yes, you feel my pain dreaming there is me with torch in one hand and phone in the other on my knees.This is even too small for Ronnie Corbett rip.
Got email from landlady . She had two new heaters installed . The meters are old and this one needs changing . The electrician said that they didn't run on night reading and rewired. Says that we don't need night readings anymore .so then , she asked me my budget ..
I may get a viewing '' flats here go from £205-210k / the garage is heated and she is buying the freehold ..''
I haven't replied. I know the place needs updating . I know I have to pay for survey / stamp duty etc . I don't know how much to offer ..
Haven't replied yet .

dreaming

Bit confused here AC. Are you thinking of buying the flat you are currently renting, or was it one nearby? To be honest, unless you really love the place you are in I would look for something cheaper (much!). Not sure I would totally trust her either as some of the stories about the electric problems you have had (not just this meter business but the washing machine/fridge freezer sockets the other week) would make me question whether corners have been cut. Obviously that can happen with any property you buy but at circa 200k I would want more reassurance. Especially if she is going to be the freeholder. Are you sure you are not just taking the easy option? And don't be too free and easy with telling people your budget - if you have to say anything I would underplay it quite a bit. Those flats harz99 found look lovely and a lot cheaper.


I think I am going to have to cough up for new battery for car - grrr! I was doing so well with expenditure this month too as I try to recoup some of the vet bills. Oh well, if that's all I have to worry about I don't suppose I can complain too much (but I will!).