Submeter not on economy 7 as told now massive bill

indigo_star

Hi there, I'm hoping someone can help, I'm a first time poster. My boyfriend and I moved into a flat above two businesses mid December and we're told electric was done on separate meters for the individual properties. We have storage heaters, and I've had them before so know they're a bit pricey but also know how to use them.

There is a timer near fuse box for flat and we checked when estate agent showed us round that it was economy 7, she showed us the timer and we've therefore been running it so the heaters come on overnight. Everything is electric so we were expecting a bill of around 300 for the first quarter. However the landlord has invoiced us recently for period till end of Jan which covers 41 days, and it's £350 quid.

I've asked for a hard copy of the actual bill but this implies we, as a domestic property, are not on economy 7 but being charge a flat rate like the businesses. Is there anything we can do? If we can't resolve it we'll have to move out at the end of the tenancy in June, as we quite simply can't afford to live there and fail to see how anyone can!

Any advice really appreciated!

dogshome

Who is the supplier named on the bill?

If it's a 'Business Supplier', then these Cos are not allowed to to supply residential properties

Depending who the Business supplier is, it it can be difficult road to Switch to a Domestic supplier - Your main weapon in forcing the change is your Council Tax Bill which shows the property as being for Domestic use only.

indigo_star

No idea who supplier is as all we currently have is an invoice typed up by landlord. Have asked for a hard copy of the bill and am awaiting reply. By this total my annual electric would be over 3k which is ludicrous! Thanks for your feedback it's really helpful.

BooJewels

A quick tot up would suggest that at £350 for 41 days, you're either using around 65 kWh per day of electricity at domestic prices, or are being charged around 40p per kWh; something like 3 and a half times the domestic tariff. So that would suggest to me that you're more likely to be being charged business tariff prices. I recently found some old electricity bills from when I had a little shop and I was paying more for power in the 90s as a business than I am at home now.

Another thought - if the landlord is invoicing you himself, is that he's adding a 'handling charge' onto the bill and putting some profit into the pricing. Does the landlord run one of the businesses below you?

I can't offer any guidance as to how to resolve it though, sorry.

System

This might help - but I would suggest a visit and a chat to your local Citizens Advice Energy Adviser.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/problems-with-your-energy-supply/what-your-landlord-can-charge-for-energy/

WhoIsThat

indigo_star wrote: »

...
I've asked for a hard copy of the actual bill but this implies we, as a domestic property, are not on economy 7 but being charge a flat rate like the businesses. Is there anything we can do?...

Surely you'll see when you receive the bill if you are on the tariff you requested the supplier to put you on?

Btw, your subsequent thread you posted about this on the House buying & Renting board can be found here.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5804925

WhoIsThat

indigo_star wrote: »

No idea who supplier is as all we currently have is an invoice typed up by landlord. Have asked for a hard copy of the bill and am awaiting reply. By this total my annual electric would be over 3k which is ludicrous! Thanks for your feedback it's really helpful.

Yes you do know who your suupplier is; it's your landlord!

I know what you mean about your annual bill. I popped to Tesco Express for 15 mins this morning and spent £19.76
On that basis my annual spend at Tesco for just the essentials will be over £600,000 :eek:

dogshome

All seems very dodgy

There seems to be no good reason why the LL should type out a copy of what is purported to be the suppliers bill for the dedicated meter for your flat - Unless that is, there is no dedicated meter, and/or, the LL is padding the bills

Depending on if you do, or do not get a real copy of the actual bill, if it was me I'd be looking to move out as soon as the lease finishes

WhoIsThat

dogshome wrote: »

All seems very dodgy

There seems to be no good reason why the LL should type out a copy of what is purported to be the suppliers bill for the dedicated meter for your flat - Unless that is, there is no dedicated meter, and/or, the LL is padding the bills

Depending on if you do, or do not get a real copy of the actual bill, if it was me I'd be looking to move out as soon as the lease finishes

OP refers to their meter as a sub-meter. i.e. one owned and controlled by the landlord

The supplier will only provide the LL with one bill that will cover all usage going through their meter, presumably the one that also serves at least one of the businesses.

dogshome

OK - The OP's title says Sub meter, but in the text says "Were told the the Elec was done on separate meters for the individual properties"

But with hindsight, this description could mean an individual sub meter for each of the 3 occupiers, which though not a lie, is certainly an economic truth.

I think the chances of getting of access to the Elec suppliers billing and charges based on those costs are absolutely NIL, and stand by my Post #8 comment - Get out a.s.a.p

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