Shared Utility Meter

dannys27

Hello,

New to the forum so feel free to move this thread if it is in the wrong place.

I recently moved into a 1 bedroom flat and I'm in the process of sorting out the utilities etc.
However, the flat that I am in, and the one opposite to me used to be just one flat, but is now two flats.
The problem is the builders/landlord didn't set up separate energy meters for each flat and thus they are shared between both.
Obviously I'm not happy about this, as either one of the flat's has to sign up as the prime bill payer (and attempt to collect funds from the other flat) or the landlord takes the bills on and splits equally. My grievance with this is that both flats won't have identical energy usage and someone is going to end up overpaying.

I've looked through, Shelter, Citizen's Advice, Property Ombudsman but it seems in terms of utilities there is very little information.

So, my question is: what are my rights around this? Shared utilities between flats is very different to shared utilities between rooms.
I want to ensure that neither party overpays, or has to be responsible for chasing the other for bills.

As a separate question, would this be a breach of contract if it wasn't highlighted to us before moving in?

Thanks in advance,
Dan

cifpower

What does your contract say regarding utilities and meters? Did you ask before you signed the contract what kind of meter the flat had?

Cardew

My solution would be that your landlord pays the bill. However he should get a sub-meter for one of the flats and split the Daily Standing Charge equally between the tenants. The consumption can be then easily apportioned to each flat. e.g. If main meter is showing consumption of, say, 1,000kWh and sub-meter showing 550kWh then the flat with the main meter pays for 450kWh. That said, that might not work - see below.


As you point out, if one of you becomes the main account holder they are responsible for the whole bill and there is no way to get payment fromthe other flat if they won't play ball.


It is also pertinent to point out that often with such flat conversions the wiring has not been changed correctly. So each flat might share the same 'ring main' i.e. it is not possible to determine which '13 amp socket' is being used.


Also it is probable that there is only one 'Consumer Unit'(fuse box) so if a circuit breaker trips(fuse blows) one flat owner will need access to the flat with the Consumer Unit.

CashStrapped

If they are self contained flats and not a house share, then they should have their own independent services (gas and electric) also, do not forget water. If metered you need to consider that too.

I would contact either the council, who should have signed off on any conversion of a building into flats (building control) but they may not be that helpful. You could also contact the local distributor for gas and electric, they may at least, point you in the right direction.

Click the distributor for your area and give them a call

http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Our-company/Electricity/Distribution-Network-Operator-Companies/

Do the same for your local water company if water is an issue.

You could also ask the landlord what the situation is!

dannys27

@cifpower:

No we didn't ask before moving in, made the grave error of assuming they were separate. In the contract it says that we are responsible for paying, but I'm sure it says that the other flat's contract too so how that's going to work is beyond me.
It was noted on the inventory (done by an independent company) that the meter wasn't labelled and thus a reading couldn't be given, does that impact the situation in anyway?

@Cardew:

A sub-meter does sound like a viable option, do these work for gas as well?
I believe we have our own fuse boxes, as we had an issue with it the day after moving in and the other flat appeared to be fine.

It just seems ridiculous to me that the landlord (who owns this and about 300+ other properties through a company) didn't address this during the renovation process.

dannys27

@Cashstrapped:
I completely agree with you, that they should have their own as they are self-contained.
My stance is to demand that the landlord provide these meters, but I fear that there is not any law or legislation that is on my side in this case...

Robin9

I'm not sure but should not each flat have its own means of switching off its own gas in case of an emergency.

CashStrapped

dannys27 wrote: »

My stance is to demand that the landlord provide these meters, but I fear that there is not any law or legislation that is on my side in this case...

Give your council a call today and ask for building control/planning department. They at least will be able to advise you. I am not versed in building control law, but I would expect it to be required if converting 1 property into two independent properties.

Robin 9 brings up a good point. This also goes for water mains stopcock if a leak occurs and being able to access the fuse box/consumer unit to turn off the electrics.

This is the kind of thing that goes on in London and people end up in hovels that were never designed to be flats.

Do let us know the outcome!

dannys27

@Robin9:
I did read somewhere that the gas shutoff valve, legally, has to be accessible by those on the meter.
I'll check the meter tonight to see if the valve is accessible as the meter is external.

@Cashstrapped:
This is my first dealing with London Landlords and it seems they thrive on these sorts of shenanigans. The fuse box is within my property, and I'm fairly certain it only pertains to my flat.
The stopcock however, I have no idea where that is so will hunt for it in the flat and if not, ring the landlord or his band of merry men.

I rang the council but got told to ring back tomorrow when the duty inspector is in.

I'll keep everyone posted and thank you all for the comments and suggestion so far!

CashStrapped

London.......how did I guess....

[Deleted User]

CashStrapped wrote: »

Give your council a call today and ask for building control/planning department. They at least will be able to advise you. I am not versed in building control law, but I would expect it to be required if converting 1 property into two independent properties.

Robin 9 brings up a good point. This also goes for water mains stopcock if a leak occurs and being able to access the fuse box/consumer unit to turn off the electrics.

This is the kind of thing that goes on in London and people end up in hovels that were never designed to be flats.

Do let us know the outcome!

I agree, contact the council.Very common for greedy landlords to knock another flat out without consent from the council leaving a flat wired up to another. This is the sort of thing that Matt Albright in BBCs "Housing Enforcers " is always turning up (especially in high rent London ) and the local council are the people to put a stop to it. Its too suspicious in my opinion. I can t remember seeing two self contained flats sharing a gas/leccy meter. The other flat could be getting extra heating on all night and you re paying half of it..Its not a viable option to carry on like this.