Help - Can't get meter reading - Landlord refusing

BSkli · 8 October 2020 at 1:44PM

Hi,
I moved into my current rental property circa two years ago. I have handed in my notice, and my tenancy ends in November. I obtained a meter reading on moving in. I then obtained a second meter reading, May 2019.

The meter is not in my flat - it's in a locked cupboard in a separate building - neither of which I have access to. To obtain a reading, I have to contact my landlord's managing agent, who then contacts the building management who have to send out an engineer to obtain the reading. I am being advised that due to COVID, the building management will not send an engineer and so I cannot get a reading.
I am currently paying very high estimated bills (equivalent to a family home's usage - as opposed to a 1 bed flat).

I am unable to get hold of my energy firm to speak to someone - they NEVER pick-up the phone - I wait an hour and then it auto-disconnects. I am receiving letters from them, however, chasing me for a reading. I want to make sure I pay the right amount when I move out, but I cannot see how this will be possible without a reading. I also absolutely do not want to be liable for the next tenant's energy usage.

What are my options?

Thanks

JJ_Egan · 8 October 2020 at 1:52PM

How are you paying if you have not given frequent meter readings .Monthly DD or on receipt of estimate .

No meter readings is why estimates .

BSkli · 8 October 2020 at 2:02PM

Paying estimated usage by monthly direct debit.
I fully understand why it's an estimate - and that's not the energy companies fault. But what should I do now as I am being told point-blank that a meter reading is impossible?

[Deleted User] · 8 October 2020 at 2:06PM

Hi,

what stops you getting into the building where the meter is?

BSkli · 8 October 2020 at 2:13PM

Not a huge amount stops me getting into the building - it's a block of flats. I can trail someone in (and have done). But then even when I'm in the block, I'm unable to get to the meters. They're in a maintenance cupboard in the basement beneath the flats - the maintenance cupboard is locked with a key held by building management.

Talldave · 8 October 2020 at 2:21PM

Stop paying the rent until you're given access, even if there's only a month to go. You should have sorted this the month after moving in.

[Deleted User] · 8 October 2020 at 2:25PM

Hi,

just hope the estimates have been on the high side, and you get a refund rather than a whopper of a bill.

BSkli · 8 October 2020 at 2:31PM

I mean I'm reasonably confident the estimates are on the high side, based on my usage - but that's not really the issue - as without getting a meter reading neither I or the energy company can know.
I'm more concerned that without a a meter reading I'm not sure how the energy company will close off the account, and I might get charged for the next tenant's usage. And obviously I'll lose out on any refund which I may be due.
Do I have a legal right to force my landlord to provide meter readings? Could I submit "final" readings equal to the last taken readings, if the landlord is unwilling and/or unable to provide updated readings?

ASavvyBuyer · 8 October 2020 at 4:28PM

You possibly could provide your own estimated reading and submit that. As your landlord says no one is allowed to check the meters, who would be able to verify what the actual reading should be?