Are My Utility Bills Unreasonable?

Sangahyando

That's interesting, I live in one of the multi-storey blocks mentioned in that document. I can definitively say they are costing tenants money, not saving. The charge I quote is payable every week of the year regardless of whether or not you are using hot water and heating (I use very little of either even during winter).

Thanks to everyone's advice I'm building up a portfolio of information to take to an appointment with Stockport Homes next week.

Finally, I also know that other tenants have expressed concern so hopefully something can be done (but I'm not counting on it).

Raxiel

Just one other thing to consider. Without the heating charge, the rent is £87 a week. I don't know Stockport, but is that a typical rent for a 1 bed flat with conventional heating in that area? Or is it lower?
One of the alleged benefits of district heating is you don't have to pay for the supply and maintenance of your own boiler/heater. A cost that would normally be factored into the rent in a rental property.

It's possible it's not that bad, it just seems egregious because it's listed as a separate item. Particularly if the rest of the rent is discounted to offset it.

Of course I could be wrong and it's a rip off, but don't want you going off to a meeting with them half cocked

Sangahyando

That's fairly typical rent for a 1 bed flat. My real issue is that being on disability benefits I struggle to find that £18/wk. The advertised weekly rent for this flat is £105/wk but the £18 of that is not covered by housing benefit.

The mental health problems I suffer make this all very confusing, but one thing I am sure of is that it would not cost me a grand total of £25/wk if I had standard heating and hot water since I use very little of either even during the winter months.