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!

pinkshoes

£350 for 41 days?????? Are you paying to heat the business too???

What was your meter reading when you moved in and what is it now?

indigo_star

Hi the landlord nor the estate agents did not give us a reading (I did ask, but to no avail) and we have no access to the meter either. The landlord has so far not sent me a hard copy of the actual bill as I requested, but told me our readings and they suggested we'd used over 2300kwh. Which is frankly insane! My main issue is the lack of effective and correct communication about how this works despite my requests. I suspect I have grounds for dispute but I don't even know who the supplier is as landlord holds all information!

AnotherJoe

You need to start with seeing your meter readings.
Even if you were on E7 and all was tickety boo you still need to see your meter readings.
Unacceptable.
Dont pay until you get that fixed. Then once it is you can backdate.

I suggest you tell them that judging by these numbers, they have clearly made a mistake and charged you for the business, and you wont be paying until you can see your own meter readings and understand the cost and supplier of the energy.

pinkshoes

This sounds VERY dodgy.

I would not be paying anything until you have seen a bill that is for JUST the flat, as well as being shown the meter that is yours.

Put this in writing to your LL.

In the mean time, you can calculate your usage roughly and work out what it should be.

Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) x time (hours)

Then just look up the unit cost of energy.

rtho782

Sounds more like there is 1 supply and the landlord has his own meter and "resells" electricity to you at a crazy cost.

ProDave

rtho782 wrote: »

Sounds more like there is 1 supply and the landlord has his own meter and "resells" electricity to you at a crazy cost.

Which is illegal. (the crazy cost bit)

He can have his own meter to measure what the flat uses, but can only charge what it costs him. And he should provide meter readings.

david1951

As I understand it the landlord must (by law) allow you access to your gas and electricity meters upon request.

If there are separate meters for each property there is no reason why the landlord should be taking care of payment. This isn't in their interest, unless of course they are skimming (which is illegal) or doing something else dodgy.

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 previous thread you posted about this on the Energy board can be found here.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5804924

PersianCatLady

Usually on an electric meter where the Economy7 tariff is being used, you will have two separate meter readings for electricity, one for the units used in the day time and another for the units used during the Economy7 period.

https://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/economy-7/

https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/customer-service/give-us-a-meter-reading/how-to-read-your-meter

https://www.so.energy/so/help-and-advice/faq/your-meter/how-do-i-know-which-register-is-day-night

https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/help-and-support/metering-questions

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/economy-7

wantonnoodle

PersianCatLady wrote: »

Usually on an electric meter where the Economy7 tariff is being used, you will have two separate meter readings for electricity, one for the units used in the day time and another for the units used during the Economy7 period.

I agree with you on this, however, the OP has not had sight of the meter, so without this, its impossible to confirm.

Again, I would agree with others, don't pay a penny until you have seen both the meter, and the bill, just for your property. It sounds like someone's trying to pull a fast one and bill you for the business usage. I would request that if it is one single meter for all 3 units (the businesses and your flat), it be reviewed and adjusted accordingly. In this case, I would also request that a request is made to the electricity supplier to divide the supply between the units so that the domestic usage can be accurately billed separate to the business supply.