Electricity meter installation?

Gp1991

I live in an upstairs flat, and the flat underneath have shared an electric meter since I moved in 5 years ago. Recently the electrics have gone wrong and the landlord is having to spend money on correcting the mistakes he made when converting the house. Now we have our own fuse box, and can have a electric meter of our own installed.

However when I phoned a company they said there was a installation fee, so we spoke to my landlord and he will not pay the installation fee and is expecting me too. Is this right? who is liable to pay this. We think he's not willing to pay as he's getting a hefty bill for having a half 're wire done in the flat.

I'm hoping to gain some clarity on this, because I moved into the flat like it. And we have been asking him for years too separate our electric and get out own meter but refused until the electrician went and told him how dangerous it actually was.

Thank you

CashStrapped

I do not see how he has any right to charge you for the installation of a new meter which should have been installed in the first place to comply with building control of splitting one property into separate flats.

I would get on to citizens advice. It sounds like you may need to take some legal advice at this stage. You need someone one your side so you know your rights and can't have a landlord ride rough shod over you.

If he has failed to comply with that regulation god knows what else he has not applied for or what rules he has not adhered to. He may have illegally converted the flats so the council are not even aware.

Ectophile

I am guessing that your flat doesn't have gas lighting, and gas heating of a sort that doesn't require electricity and gas cooking.

If so, then without electricity, the flat is uninhabitable. So the landlord should not be renting it out at all until is is inhabitable.

I suggest you gave a word with the local Environmental Health department.

Gp1991

We do have a gas meter, so do have heating and so on. We just share the electric with our neighbour downstairs. The meter is currently is in his flat but it powers our flat to if that makes sense?

Gp1991

This is what I have thought too. I will be contacting them tomorrow I think and we where I stand.
I've been quoted £130 for a meter to be installed and to me that's a lot of money. Thank you for replying

CashStrapped

You could check on your local council's planning portal, search for that address and it should show if any applications were made for "change of use" .

You can do a general search - even by map to show what if any applications have ever been made.

That could be helpful for you and useful if you speak to citizens advice.

Is the gas shared too?

Tom99

Is this a long lease where you have purchased the flat or an AST?