Sign TA now suddenly have been told I must use their elec/water/gas/internet or go without??

user225688

Surely they can't do that?

The TA is all signed and I was merely sending them an email to ask if it would be ok for internet company to install a wifi on their property, I was thinking if no I would just go with the defacto phoneline one and they drop a bombshell on me...

They tell me that the only internet available for me I will have to buy from them and likewise the electricity/water/gas I 'have' to buy from them as that is all that is available at the property implying that I will go without if I do not buy through them.

That surely isn't allowed? No mention of that in the TA which I read thoroughly nor any of that when the property was advertised.

They offer serviced apartments in the same building but they made out that it was wholly optional. They were giving me the hardsell that I would be 'much better off' to go with all bill included when I viewed the property but nothing about that being the only option and I politely declined thinking that would be the last of it.

The apartments were marketed online as either furnished with all bills included (for an ~ extra £250 per month!) or unfurnished with no bills. I chose the latter.

They say 'the only available broadband, water, gas and electricity is that provided by ourselves'. Surely that is not legal to force you to use all their services without before mentioning it as being mandatory.

I don't see how it can 'only' be provided by them? Surely I can't be 'railroaded' into that? if it was in the TA then maybe but even then it seems like unfair practice but anyway no a word of it in the TA.

kinger101

According to ofgem

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/how-switch-energy-supplier-and-shop-better-deal/how-switch-energy-supplier-if-you-re-tenant

If the bill is address to you, just change it.

As for internet, as long as a new line isn't being installed, then use who you like.

Comms69

user225688 wrote: »

Surely they can't do that?

The TA is all signed and I was merely sending them an email to ask if it would be ok for internet company to install a wifi on their property, I was thinking if no I would just go with the defacto phoneline one and they drop a bombshell on me...

They tell me that the only internet available for me I will have to buy from them and likewise the electricity/water/gas I 'have' to buy from them as that is all that is available at the property implying that I will go without if I do not buy through them.

That surely isn't allowed? No mention of that in the TA which I read thoroughly nor any of that when the property was advertised.

They offer serviced apartments in the same building but they made out that it was wholly optional. They were giving me the hardsell that I would be 'much better off' to go with all bill included when I viewed the property but nothing about that being the only option and I politely declined thinking that would be the last of it.

The apartments were marketed online as either furnished with all bills included (for an ~ extra £250 per month!) or unfurnished with no bills. I chose the latter.

They say 'the only available broadband, water, gas and electricity is that provided by ourselves'. Surely that is not legal to force you to use all their services without before mentioning it as being mandatory.

I don't see how it can 'only' be provided by them? Surely I can't be 'railroaded' into that? if it was in the TA then maybe but even then it seems like unfair practice but anyway no a word of it in the TA.

Do you have your own supply? IE your own meter etc?


Similarly your own phoneline?


If so, just switch it.

user225688

@comms69 I haven't moved in yet so I have no idea. I only signed the TA yesterday for a new property.

I just read on citizen's advice 'Switching energy supplier if you’re a tenant' (not allowed to post links) that you won't be able to change services if the landlord pay a supplier

If your landlord pays your energy supplier

You don’t have the right to switch supplier if your landlord pays the energy company directly and then charges you.

If you want to change supplier, you’ll need to ask your landlord to do it - but they don’t have to.

If you think that your landlord might be charging you too much for your energy, you should read our guidance for what they're allowed to charge you.

They shouldn't be able to charge extortionate amounts for elec/water/gas right? I mean they can't just charge what they want?

With water it is a moot point since where I live now you only have one choice of water anyway so if it is only a few quid difference with the others then I won't be worried.

So can they just hike to whatever rate they like since you are locked in?

If not it is only broadband I would be most concerned about and with because I always go for rock bottom deals and have no need for superfast fibre wizz bang stuff but I know that most people expect that so I am sure I would be paying through the nose for their 'standard' BB package which I would only used to like 3% capacity.

They say there are two options- either pay each thing seperately which is more expensive (still all with them as no choice they say) or pay a 'much better' all in one deal, but I am thinking as long as gas/elec/water is not too much above the average I would still be better paying for them separate without internet and cobble together some kind of mobile broadband solution - I don't even have a smartphone but would just get an old one for this specific purpose I guess.

Comms69

user225688 wrote: »

@comms69 I haven't moved in yet so I have no idea. I only signed the TA yesterday for a new property.

I just read on citizen's advice 'Switching energy supplier if you’re a tenant' (not allowed to post links) that you won't be able to change services if the landlord pay a supplier



They shouldn't be able to charge extortionate amounts for elec/water/gas right? I mean they can't just charge what they want?

With water it is a moot point since where I live now you only have one choice of water anyway so if it is only a few quid difference with the others then I won't be worried.

So can they just hike to whatever rate they like since you are locked in?

If not it is only broadband I would be most concerned about and with because I always go for rock bottom deals and have no need for superfast fibre wizz bang stuff but I know that most people expect that so I am sure I would be paying through the nose for their 'standard' BB package which I would only used to like 3% capacity.

They say there are two options- either pay each thing seperately which is more expensive (still all with them as no choice they say) or pay a 'much better' all in one deal, but I am thinking as long as gas/elec/water is not too much above the average I would still be better paying for them separate without internet and cobble together some kind of mobile broadband solution - I don't even have a smartphone but would just get an old one for this specific purpose I guess.

No a landlord can only charge you what they pay. cant remember the act top of my head, but basically there's no adding on 'extra' cost.

G_M

In some developments or buildings, the various utilities are supplied to the building, not o individual fats/houses.


The occupants then get charged at cost according to their usage.


In those cases, the building owner, or management company, decides which supplier to use, and the occupants have no choice.


If you proceed with this tenancy, and if/when you get charged, ask to see the mast bill for the building, check the pricing, and then check your own usage and ensure you are being charged at the correct rate.

45002

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem-publications/74486/11782-resaleupdateoct05pdf






.....

user225688

Comms69 wrote: »

No a landlord can only charge you what they pay. cant remember the act top of my head, but basically there's no adding on 'extra' cost.

Would be nice to know if it springs to your mind; but that is good to know. EDIT: I guess it's the same thing 45002 posted.

I had thoughts of some kind of affiliate setup where they get commission for whatever they use.

I just got a an email back saying what the £250 is for and council tax and tv licence are also in that so adding CT does make it a lot more understandable as to the £250 they came up with. Since I am perfectly capable of paying my own CT I don't need them to do it for me and the tv would be an absolute waste.

So I will just stick to paying separate and sort my own BB means. So wrt the elec/gas/water will the rates be in line with the rest of the companies in the country (by law)? ie such that there is little need to look to switching if indeed I could?

And regarding broadband I would sort myself out somehow and things should be ok, ie not as big a shock as I thought now the dust has settled (I hope). I just suddenly had visions of being forced into paying +£250 a month for a load of stuff I didn't need.

user225688

G_M wrote: »

In some developments or buildings, the various utilities are supplied to the building, not o individual fats/houses.


The occupants then get charged at cost according to their usage.


In those cases, the building owner, or management company, decides which supplier to use, and the occupants have no choice.


If you proceed with this tenancy, and if/when you get charged, ask to see the mast bill for the building, check the pricing, and then check your own usage and ensure you are being charged at the correct rate.

Well the apartment is great otherwise so this info really winded me, but I hope that, from what people say, I will not be being ripped of mercilessly as I initially thought so I would like to go ahead provided, as was mentioned, the charges are capped (by law) within reasonable bounds and I will only choose those services that apply to me.

In the case of choosing supplier, if they don't receive a subsidy from said supplier, then I imagine it would be in their own interest to find the best deal if they had any business sense; but then again not all businesspeople are hard nosed MSEs like us .

CIS

I just got a an email back saying what the £250 is for and council tax and tv licence are also in that so adding CT does make it a lot more understandable as to the £250 they came up with. Since I am perfectly capable of paying my own CT I don't need them to do it for me and the tv would be an absolute waste.

Are you renting the whole property ? If so, you are liable for the council tax and not the landlord (except in only a very few, specific, situations). The landlord has no legal powers to change council tax liability so, except as mentioned, it's between you and the council.

user225688

I told him thank your for the breakdown and that I would just choose to pay for the ones I need but I am still being 'ushered' to pay for the whole package.

I said I will just pick the ones which I need and he said 'you need them all that so the point is it's cheper to go with the one bill option' That seems like I am being strongarmed into it.

I already said that I will chose only the ones and need and he is now telling me I need them all?

I don't need anyone to do my CT and BB I will sort myself with mobile BB and TV is useless. I feel like I am being cornered into pay the all in one. I don't want to get on his bad side. How do I reaffirm I want to handle my own affairs without being told what I 'need' without getting their back up?

I fear that if I say I will sort my own BB he will want to know how and then take issue with any answer that isn't 'buy the package'.