disputed utility bill on empty property

Noqlu

I am landlord of a flat. My last tenant moved out November 2018 and closed her account with OVO. I didn't open an account with them at that time. A new tenant moved in April 2019. She didn't inform the utility company of a change of tenancy nor take any meter readings. She has received a bill addressed to 'the occupier' covering the period from November to the present. Clearly we need to split the bill Nov - April and April to the present.

The flat was empty from Nov to April, no energy was used, - the only usage would be estate agents showing prospective tenants around and there were very few viewings at that time.
I contacted OVO, they then opened an account for me. I gave them the dates and they then sent me a bill for Nov - April. Fair enough, I am responsible for the bill for that period and am happy to pay it, based on their daily charge. What I am not happy with is the fact that they have made an estimate of usage during this period and billed me (I reckon) about £250 based on that estimate.

I have contacted them but they say -if you can give us a reading from 3rd April (!! where's the timer machine when you need it?) then we can send you a corrected bill. If you can't you will have to pay based on our estimates. Any advice much appreciated.

gt94sss2

When the new tenant moved in, did you arrange for an inventory check in? The meter readings should be on that..

macman

If you failed to take readings when tenants enter and leave, then you can expect that the bills will be estimated-how else can it be done?

Robin9

macman wrote: »

If you failed to take readings when tenants enter and leave, then you can expect that the bills will be estimated-how else can it be done?

You're in business. !

A lesson learnt for you - read those meters whenever a tenant leaves and another moves in and have the account in your name in the meantime

Noqlu

Flat is unfurnished so I don't do an inventory check.
Usually (though as I now see, not always) the incoming tenant knows to contact utility companies.
My current tenant if from Brazil and not familiar with the procedure.

The bill is estimated on the assumption that someone was living there and using gas/electricity.
I can prove that the flat was empty and unfurnished.
The energy company is guessing whereas I have the facts.

Robin 9 you write 'never pay on an estimated bill' but how can I establish that the estimate is way out.

Talldave

You have no facts relevant to the supply of energy (ie: the meter readings).


If you'd taken meter readings you wouldn't be complaining about estimates. You didn't, so it's your fault.


Pay up, move on.

Robin9

Noqlu wrote: »

...............

Robin 9 you write 'never pay on an estimated bill' but how can I establish that the estimate is way out.

You can't - because you didn't read the meters. It's a hard lesson learnt.

Don't assume tenants know the procedure - as a LL you should.

tk47

Noqlu wrote: »

I am landlord of a flat. My last tenant moved out November 2018 and closed her account with OVO. I didn't open an account with them at that time. A new tenant moved in April 2019. She didn't inform the utility company of a change of tenancy nor take any meter readings. She has received a bill addressed to 'the occupier' covering the period from November to the present. Clearly we need to split the bill Nov - April and April to the present.

The flat was empty from Nov to April, no energy was used, - the only usage would be estate agents showing prospective tenants around and there were very few viewings at that time.
I contacted OVO, they then opened an account for me. I gave them the dates and they then sent me a bill for Nov - April. Fair enough, I am responsible for the bill for that period and am happy to pay it, based on their daily charge. What I am not happy with is the fact that they have made an estimate of usage during this period and billed me (I reckon) about £250 based on that estimate.

I have contacted them but they say -if you can give us a reading from 3rd April (!! where's the timer machine when you need it?) then we can send you a corrected bill. If you can't you will have to pay based on our estimates. Any advice much appreciated.

The old tenant moved out and correctly closed her account.

In the absence of any new tenant at the time, you as the landlord became responsible. According to the terms and conditions, you remain liable until you close your account. :eek:
(although in reality, suppliers tend to be sensible about this)

What's more, as you didn't contact the supplier to arrange an alternative tariff, you will be billed on the suppliers default tariff (usually a very expensive one!) :eek:

macman

Are you serious? Even in an unfurnished flat, you still need to do an inspection and inventory to check the fixed items. What if the previous tenant has chipped the bathroom sink, burnt the carpet, smashed the sockets, etc? Or just failed to leave it clean?
You are not acting like a professional LL.

Fire_Fox

Noqlu wrote: »

I am landlord of a flat. My last tenant moved out November 2018 and closed her account with OVO. I didn't open an account with them at that time. ...... Clearly we need to split the bill Nov - April and April to the present.

The flat was empty from Nov to April, no energy was used, - the only usage would be estate agents showing prospective tenants around and there were very few viewings at that time.

I have contacted them but they say -if you can give us a reading from 3rd April (!! where's the timer machine when you need it?) then we can send you a corrected bill. If you can't you will have to pay based on our estimates. Any advice much appreciated.

Energy used = deemed contract.

Noqlu wrote: »

Flat is unfurnished so I don't do an inventory check.
Usually (though as I now see, not always) the incoming tenant knows to contact utility companies. My current tenant if from Brazil and not familiar with the procedure.

The bill is estimated on the assumption that someone was living there and using gas/electricity. I can prove that the flat was empty and unfurnished.
The energy company is guessing whereas I have the facts.

You have never bothered to familiarise yourself with the procedure, but are trying to offload your mistake onto your poor foreign tenant!

Empty and unfurnished =/= no energy used. Since no checkout or check-in was completed how do you know the refrigerator/ immersion heater/ boiler/ space heaters were all off?

Please read G_M's excellent 'sticky' over on the 'HouseBuying Renting & Selling' board.