What can a tenant do if estate/letting agent imposes unfair terms?

baldelectrician

StumpyPumpy wrote: »

Dear Management Agent,

I am currently in dispute with my electrical supplier who has claimed that I am using 200kWh between the hours of midnight and 5am every day. This is patently ludicrous, however the only way I can prove my case is to log meter readings every 15 minutes during this period for the next four to six weeks.

As I have not been provided with access to the meter cupboard for health and safety reasons, can you please arrange an approved person to provide me with these readings.

Yours etc..


SP

I wouldn't do this
They could then charge you for the person each time you want the meter read


I would ask them to point the bit in the health and safety act that is stopping them giving you access.


If they are sticking to H&S then tell them you want to arrange a smart meter and they can allow access to the meter operative (who will be suitably trained and qualified).


Ask them for a copy of their formal complaints procedure as you are making no headway.


If they refuse you need to ask them if they are a member of any professional landlord organisations as you feel they are being unreasonable and wish to escalate the complaint

srh1

do I have the legal right to see my meter reading? Can someone give me a reference to a law that gives me the right to see how much electricity I have used?

patman99

Who owns your flat?. You talk about letting agents and managing agents, but you might have more luck talking directly to the person who is the owner (leaseholder).
You should be able to find their details on the Landregistory website.

Failing this, talk to everyone else in the block who has not got a key for their respective meter cupboards and see if they are willing to start a class action to force the release of keys via a Court order.