how to approach landlord suspected of using our electric...

marksoton · 3 December 2016 at 1:51PM

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

.....and...yep....I think OP needs to keep an eye on exactly what happens re the meters from the pov of preventing the LL swopping back to thieving again in between tenants. From which - another poor tenant would have to go throw this too ....and so on.

Whilst the OP needs to get it sorted they don't have a duty of care to future tenants.

If it were me i'd be moving out anyway. The trust is clearly broken.

gfplux · 3 December 2016 at 3:12PM

Sadie23 wrote: »

Ladies and gents, LL has responded! We are getting a sub meter fitted, and she will call us later to discuss how to work out what is owed

A great result, well done.

gettingtheresometime · 3 December 2016 at 4:05PM

marksoton wrote: »

Whilst the OP needs to get it sorted they don't have a duty of care to future tenants.

If it were me i'd be moving out anyway. The trust is clearly broken.

No they don't have a duty of care but I'd be sorely tempted to write to them just giving them a heads up.

I'd also be looking to move as well - it wouldn't surprise me, now that she's been rumbled they will be served notice - or is that the cynic in me???

moneyistooshorttomention · 3 December 2016 at 4:21PM

No legal "duty of care" - but it would be nice if they do what they can to get this sorted in a way that it doesn't "come back again" on future tenants. So - if there is a way to get this sorted such that the LL can't reverse it later - then all the better and OP has done what they can to prevent this.

Marvel1 · 3 December 2016 at 4:30PM

Exactly no duty of care for future tenants but lets stop the theft for future tenents also in case they get serviced notice to leave and sub meter being removed.

exiled_red · 3 December 2016 at 6:11PM

It sounds like you have reached something of an acceptable conclusion, as many others have said she should have a seperate supply and meter installed rather than running a sub meter from your supply as she will have to pay you not only for the units of electricity used but also for a share of the standing charge, I would make sure that you get her to agree to this and the ways that this is enforced.

As other people have said what other utilities are being used in her room and the kitchen, almost certainly water which is probably coming off your supply as well and while she may only be using a small amount as she is there so infrequently there is also the issue of the standing charge which she should be paying towards, also is there gas used down there, is that also coming off your supply?

Also do you pay any fees for maintaining communal areas as presumably these costs are split 4 ways when they should be split 5 ways.

While you may get on with her, she has obviously been aware of what she has been doing, as these rooms of hers are piggy backing the utilities from the tennants so she has been paying no bills, she has been living there for free at your expense. Presumably as the rooms she uses are considered storage rooms for your flat so, she isn't paying council tax because the council don't know that this is a seperate property, perhaps you should get her to pay some of the council tax as well or request that the property be re-evaluated on the basis that the boundaries of the property have been changed and that there are now 5 flats rather than 4. This may even have required planning permission which I doubt she has. If a revenge eviction were issued I would certainly be ensuring that that council were aware of the new circumstances...

moneyistooshorttomention · 3 December 2016 at 6:59PM

Hopefully, from what OP says, she may not have to live in rented accommodation that long? (ie because it sounds as if she is saving for a place of her own).

In which case - I would think the most appropriate time to report the LL would be just after OP has moved on anyway.

I think there is a very good chance the LL isn't paying the Council Tax she should be. Of course - there is also the possibility that LL may not be paying tax on the rental income either??

cajef · 3 December 2016 at 7:18PM

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I think there is a very good chance the LL isn't paying the Council Tax she should be. Of course - there is also the possibility that LL may not be paying tax on the rental income either??

How do you manage to come that conclusion, how about sticking to facts rather than making up your usual imaginary scenarios and making accusations without any foundation.