Dilemma over "free gas"

littlesaint

My friend moved into a flat a few weeks ago. Whe he asked the landlady about utilities she gave him the electricity company, but told him that the flat was supplied by gas but had never been billed for the past couple of years.

So far, all her tenants have been happy with this situation and the landlady seems happy with it this way. There is an up to date safety certificate and the landlady has assured them that the gas equipment will be maintained as normal. But she said that if they wanted to start paying bills, she would have to get someone in to "turn the gas on".

My friend would obviously welcome having free gas, but doesn't want to keep looking over his shoulder all the time. His flatmate on the other hand is keen to maintain the status quo, but to keep a bit aside each month in case they are hit with a bill. They took metre readings when they moved in and have a tenancy agreement that proves their moving in date. The landlady says she can the metre readings onto the inventory.

What would be your advice to them?

Farway

Keep taking the meter readings, and perhaps take a photo of the reading with a daily paper showing headline and date.

Not foolproof evidence but better than nothing

Put the money into a seperate account and when the move on it is a bonus for them

PasturesNew

Yes, I'd be happy with meter readings/photos ... and if the landlady's prepared to put that in the agreement, then that's it for me!

I'm law abiding, but if I don't know who to pay then I'd just read the meter myself to keep on top of how much bills will be and put the money aside. After I moved out, I'd take a reading again and put the bills money in a safe account for about 6 years before I decided it was "mine"

elliemfl

Ok, call me party pooper, but it would be plain dishonest not to pay.

I had this problem in a flat. Previous tennant left gas and electric unpaid, total bills about £2000, so the companies tried to sue US for the cost of it. It took us about 6 months to get the mess sorted out, they kept sending threatening letters, bailiff warnings etc etc. Total nightmare. Take meter readings, send them with a copy of your lease and a letter explaining you are only liable for anything used from X date with X meter readings.

tripled

Your friend can find out if there is a supplier by calling Transco on 0870 608 1524, with the meter serial number. It may well be 'shipperless' - meaning they need to nominate a provider.

One reason to chase it up and get it registered is that if Transco do work on the street at cut off all the gas supplies, they' have fun trying to get it back on if there was no record of a meter being there.

littlesaint

OK, thanks for your responses. I'll pass that on.