Hot water and heating bill in a block of flats

TalhaK

Hello experts. 
As background I'm new to the UK. Moved into our first rented apartment in Dec 2018. Its in a block of brand new flats. The flats have radiators for heating. There's a central gas boiler which I believe supplies hot water to the flats. Bill is then apportioned based on usage.

So here's my issue. There seemed to have been some teething problems with the billing so I've received my first bill  today over 1 year later (yes that's right!). The bill is from 31/08/2019 to 31/12/2019. And the amount? £433!! (1824 kwh). We have seperate electricity account, so this is only hot water/heating. 
I totally didn't expect this. And my neighbours are paying much much less. And we were not home for all of December. So it's effectively 3 months use only. 
The flat is a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom. It was brand new so well insulated etc. We are 2 adults and 2 kids. 

We typically feel cold since we come from warmer part of South Africa. So we tend to turn up the heater and try and maintain a temperature of 25 degrees during the evenings. Usually turn down before going to bed, then up again for a few hours in the morning. And down again for the day. My wife is home most of the day so the heating is running. 

So my thoughts were :

1. Bill is really high and unrealistic for that time period. Perhaps there is an error? Or maybe this is the bill from Dec 2018 to Dec 2019. Since I've not received Dec 2018 to Aug 2019 yet. 

2. But then I started wondering if we have the heating too high? Could having it as I described rack up such a high bill? 

3. Now if 2 above is correct, and if I knew about this at the end of last winter I would have definitely adjusted our usage this winter. I've repeatedly asked for bills from the rental agent with no luck. And since this is the first time I am staying and renting here I have no idea what heating costs. I was going by the average bills and guides published online. Even £50 to £60pm would be OK. 

Are there any rules/laws which oblige the landlord/rental agent to provide bills timeously. I mean surely you can't get away with not providing a bill for 1 year! 

I'd really appreciate your opinions/help/suggestions /constructive criticism on the above 3 points please. 

Greenqueen_2

25 degrees is very warm to keep the house!  I am surprised the bill is not higher. 

Owain_Moneysaver

£100 pm for heating and hot water is quite reasonable in winter. Although you say the cost is apportioned by use and you weren't there for Dec, there may be a fairly significant standing charge to cover maintenance and capital depreciation on the equipment, so you need to check the bill carefully and ask the managing agent for a complete breakdown.

There's also an argument that if there are charges for maintenance/depreciation they should be paid by your landlord and you, then renting tenant, should only be paying the consumption part of the fees. However, your rent has probably been set by the landlord on the basis you pay the full heating account, so paying less on the heating account may mean the rent goes up. 

ToomanyPies

"Bill is then apportioned based on usage"  How are they calculating this? Are they just dividing the bill up equally between the flats or are there heat meters fitted that measure your actual kWh consumption?  You are paying an extortionate amount per kWh.
Turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees at least. You'll soon get used to it. I would roast at that temperature!

TalhaK

ToomanyPies said:

"Bill is then apportioned based on usage"  How are they calculating this? Are they just dividing the bill up equally between the flats or are there heat meters fitted that measure your actual kWh consumption?  You are paying an extortionate amount per kWh.
Turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees at least. You'll soon get used to it. I would roast at that temperature!

Nope they don't divide equally between flats. I think there's a meter in each flat. Found one in the utility cupboard this eve. 
I was wondering what the average cost /kwh is for gas. If I've used cira 1800kwh for the period of 4 months, this seems to be in line with or below average gas consumption of 8000kwh per annum. Which presumably should cost way below what I'm paying? What's a good average cost of gas?

Unfortunately I don't have a breakdown of cost will try and get this. 
Thanks 

TalhaK

ToomanyPies said:

"Bill is then apportioned based on usage"  How are they calculating this? Are they just dividing the bill up equally between the flats or are there heat meters fitted that measure your actual kWh consumption?  You are paying an extortionate amount per kWh.
Turn the thermostat down a couple of degrees at least. You'll soon get used to it. I would roast at that temperature!

And yes I've already turned it down... 

SnowTiger

TalhaK said:

Nope they don't divide equally between flats. I think there's a meter in each flat. Found one in the utility cupboard this eve. 
I was wondering what the average cost /kwh is for gas. If I've used cira 1800kwh for the period of 4 months, this seems to be in line with or below average gas consumption of 8000kwh per annum. Which presumably should cost way below what I'm paying? What's a good average cost of gas?

Unfortunately I don't have a breakdown of cost will try and get this. 
Thanks 

'The bill is from 31/08/2019 to 31/12/2019. And the amount? £433!! (1824 kwh). '

That works out at nearly 24p per kWh.  That's very expensive for gas.  I pay a shade under 3p per kWh.  The range is 2.5p to 3.5p, depending on tariff.  However, presumably, your £433 bill includes a service charge too?

Are you sure your heating uses gas?  Some electricity tariffs charge about 20p per kWh.  I think the average is about 14p.  Add in a service charge and it's not difficult to see how your usage would cost that much.

25°C in hot in the UK.  Using only 1,824kWh during a four month autumn/winter period to keep your home at that temperature is pretty good going.  You must have hop notch insulation.

If I were you I'd get a breakdown of charges.  Find out the cost per kWh and service charge, if any.

dogshome

The flats you are in have a "District Heating  Scheme" - The idea is that one big boiler serving multiple dwellings is far Greener than one small boiler in each flat

Quite common in Germany where the cost to the residents is reasonable, but this is the UK and what you have isn't covered by any of the regulations that protect Domestic consumers, and the owners can charge what they like, when they like.

Best advice is to sit out the length of the lease you have, THEN MOVE