Gas Meter but no Gas?

Gerry1

The risk is that the supplier will remove the meter as it is not being used.

CTS789

I guess I'm just confused about whether I can avoid paying that, it's the landlord who wants the meter kept, not me. 

Gerry1

You can probably find a tariff with an annual standing charge of around £50 - £60 so that might be best for peace of mind.  The contract would almost certainly be enforceable: you were made aware of it and signed up to it. 

If you didn't return the property to its original state you would be pursued for the costs of so doing, and that could be very expensive, especially if by then new gas connections were discouraged because of climate change concerns.

rp1974

CTS789 said:

Okay, so the tenancy agreement says:
Not to tamper or interfere with or alter or add to the gas, water or electrical installations or meters in or serving the Premises.
The oven is electric, they used to have a gas one, and the heating is electric storage heaters, so even if I wanted to use gas (I prefer gas) I can't use it with anything in the house. But they (letting agent representing the landlord) say I have to pay the standing charge because the landlord doesn't want the gas meter removing. I don't see why any company would charge that though if there's no gas being used?

I dont think landlord can enforce that,as you pay a supplier directly.You are in a deemed contract with whomever supplies the gas or electric as soon as you moved in,as you haven't used gas I dont think that applies in this case for the gas.Why would you sign such a tenancy?,thats beyond belief.As a compromise speak,preferably to your landlord instead of the agent if possible and negotiate an amount of rent reduction to cover the lowest standing charge you can find,as landlord is insisting on the supply remaining.

Gerry1

The landlord can prohibit the removal of the meter because the lack of a gas supply would devalue his property, possibly by a vast amount if it were not possible to have gas restored in the future.

It's unlikely that payment of a standing charge is specifically mandated, it's probably just mentioned (e.g. the tenant will pay any standing charges...) to make it clear that it's the tenant's responsibility to meet any requirements needed to keep the meter and the gas supply in place.

CTS789

rp1974 said:

CTS789 said:

Okay, so the tenancy agreement says:
Not to tamper or interfere with or alter or add to the gas, water or electrical installations or meters in or serving the Premises.
The oven is electric, they used to have a gas one, and the heating is electric storage heaters, so even if I wanted to use gas (I prefer gas) I can't use it with anything in the house. But they (letting agent representing the landlord) say I have to pay the standing charge because the landlord doesn't want the gas meter removing. I don't see why any company would charge that though if there's no gas being used?

I dont think landlord can enforce that,as you pay a supplier directly.You are in a deemed contract with whomever supplies the gas or electric as soon as you moved in,as you haven't used gas I dont think that applies in this case for the gas.Why would you sign such a tenancy?,thats beyond belief.As a compromise speak,preferably to your landlord instead of the agent if possible and negotiate an amount of rent reduction to cover the lowest standing charge you can find,as landlord is insisting on the supply remaining.

I didn't have much choice really, I needed somewhere to live and not much in my budget was around. I asked them about the gas and they said I only need electricity. I believed them. The landlord doesn't care about the place, it's quite mouldy and some of the windows don't open, but it's what I can afford right now. 

David28

What will happen if they don't use gas or contact a gas supplier and if the gas supplier demands payment tell them to get lost and remove the meter?

rp1974

CTS789 said:

I didn't have much choice really, I needed somewhere to live and not much in my budget was around. I asked them about the gas and they said I only need electricity. I believed them. The landlord doesn't care about the place, it's quite mouldy and some of the windows don't open, but it's what I can afford right now. 

Thats really bad,looking around for somewhere else as soon as possible would seem to be a thought.Do make sure that your next place has gas,its around a quarter of the price of electricity and should really be the main source of hot water and heating instead of electric.Keep a close eye on your electricity usage,its likely to be expensive.Not many landlords are like this,hopefully your next ones better than this character,how longs your lease for?,as the agents have lied to you it might be that you can move without it costing you.Although that was only verbal,not in writing.

Talldave

@CTS789 as long as you don't touch the gas meter, you're complying with the tenancy agreement.  The meter belongs to the supplier - if they decide to remove it, that's their choice and nothing to do with you.

If you fancy the battle though, it would be interesting to see if the "no consumption = no deemed contract" approach works.

jefaz07

If the gas meter is removed then the gas will have to be cut off within 12 months. 

If there are no charges against your MPRN then someone will come knocking....how long that takes is another matter.