Help - can Calor make us go on paying a tank standing charge if we install an Air Source Pump?

Sarita

Hi, we are delighted that our landlord is looking to install an Air Source Pump as our Calor bulk bills are super high - but when we tried to cancel Calor we were told we'd have to still pay a standing charge on the tank ongoingly, if the supply wasn't be passed on to a new tenant. 
Surely there must be a way around this?
If not, I'm concerned the landlord will land us with it - is that within their rights, and does it sound fair?
We ended up telling Calor we were just moving out but they said they'd be in touch with the estate agents to discover who the next tenant is, so they could bill t hem; so I don't think we've resolved the problem. Plus, our landlord is taking forever to install the Heat Pump and I now have to call Calor tomorrow to get more gas delivered, as we're literally on zero. So I'm trying to work out what my story should be!
My neighbour managed to cancel some years ago when he installed a Heat Pump and read them the riot act about the standing charge and doesn't pay it - but I don't have his authority (he's a chartered engineer and used to bossing people around.)
Many thanks for your advice,
Sarita

Reed_Richards

Wouldn't it be best to discuss this with your landlord?  You pay a standing charge for the tank, when the ASHP is installed you will no longer need the tank so you should then ask for it to be removed.      

matelodave

Thats what I was going to suggest, if you dont need the tank anymore then get it removed

Sarita

Thanks, it's buried underground and would be hugely expensive to get removed. 
I thought this ongoing standard charge would be a common issue with people moving from Calor to a Source Pump, but maybe not. 
My neighbour is now being vague about whethe he still pays it or not (he's elderly and his memory isn't great) so I'm not sure now whether I could possibly get it waived or whether, once with Calor, you're stuck with this charge. 

Reed_Richards

See:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6036752/underground-calor-lpg-tank-removal
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2679701/tank-uplift-charges
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5037503/problems-with-calor-gas-tank-removal-and-rhi

So it is an issue that crops up every few years and it seems that the cost of getting the tank removed is very dependent on what contact you have.

Robin9

I had been imagining an above ground tank.

You / landlord need a good look at the contract.  Is a one off payment to cancel the contract a possibility ?   I suspect that even if the tank remains it needs to be recommissioned and perhaps filled with water

Verdigris

Rather than start a new thread, I have a variation on the OP's problem.

I am close to exchanging contracts on a house with a surface bulk LPG tank. I am going to fit an ASHP and underfloor heating, so won't need the LPG supply. I'd heard tales of how difficult the LPG cartel are to deal with, so asked the vendor if they could cancel the LPG contract and ask for the tank to be removed before I take possession. The vendor was told that the supplier wanted 40+ days notice and would charge about £250 to remove the tank. The vendor isn't keen on that.

Can I be forced into a contract with the LPG supplier, or can I serve notice on them that I will be the landowner from x date and that I require the tank to be removed within a specified and reasonable timescale?

QrizB

Verdigris said:

Rather than start a new thread, I have a variation on the OP's problem.

I am close to exchanging contracts on a house with a surface bulk LPG tank. I am going to fit an ASHP and underfloor heating, so won't need the LPG supply. I'd heard tales of how difficult the LPG cartel are to deal with, so asked the vendor if they could cancel the LPG contract and ask for the tank to be removed before I take possession. The vendor was told that the supplier wanted 40+ days notice and would charge about £250 to remove the tank. The vendor isn't keen on that.

Can I be forced into a contract with the LPG supplier, or can I serve notice on them that I will be the landowner from x date and that I require the tank to be removed within a specified and reasonable timescale?

This sounds contractual. Can your solicitor help or are they well into chocolate teapot territory?

matelodave

Verdigris said:

Rather than start a new thread, I have a variation on the OP's problem.

I am close to exchanging contracts on a house with a surface bulk LPG tank. I am going to fit an ASHP and underfloor heating, so won't need the LPG supply. I'd heard tales of how difficult the LPG cartel are to deal with, so asked the vendor if they could cancel the LPG contract and ask for the tank to be removed before I take possession. The vendor was told that the supplier wanted 40+ days notice and would charge about £250 to remove the tank. The vendor isn't keen on that.

Can I be forced into a contract with the LPG supplier, or can I serve notice on them that I will be the landowner from x date and that I require the tank to be removed within a specified and reasonable timescale?

One can assume that the contract is with the previous owner and not tied to the house but you'd need your solicitor to check out the contracts to see what the legal position is.

I'd have though that if it's buried and not causing any problem then they could decommision it and fill it with water - the alternative being a ginormous hole in your garden, unless, of course you are building a pond or swimming pool and you'll be halfway there. Someone will have to backfill it after it's gone.

Obviously it's a lot easier to shift an above ground tank but depending on access might need a big crane to lift it if you cant get a forklift in.

Verdigris

I will ask the solicitors but I suspect it'd cost more in legal fees than the removal fee if there is any actual legal work to do.

I'm probably going to have to bite the bullet. At least there is some gas in it, so I'll be able to use the hob in the old kitchen whilst a build a new one in what is now the garage. In fact, now I think about it a bit more, I reckon I can work around the whole CH and DHW system until I get the ASHP system commissioned, as I'll be putting the hot water cylinder in a new location.

I was planning to weekly commute to do the new place up, keeping my rented place on for a few months, but the cost of a refill of LPG would be trivial in comparison to the rent, not to mention cutting out 800 miles driving a week. A new plan is born!

Mister_G

matelodave said:

Verdigris said:

Rather than start a new thread, I have a variation on the OP's problem.

I am close to exchanging contracts on a house with a surface bulk LPG tank. I am going to fit an ASHP and underfloor heating, so won't need the LPG supply. I'd heard tales of how difficult the LPG cartel are to deal with, so asked the vendor if they could cancel the LPG contract and ask for the tank to be removed before I take possession. The vendor was told that the supplier wanted 40+ days notice and would charge about £250 to remove the tank. The vendor isn't keen on that.

Can I be forced into a contract with the LPG supplier, or can I serve notice on them that I will be the landowner from x date and that I require the tank to be removed within a specified and reasonable timescale?

I'd have though that if it's buried and not causing any problem then they could decommision it and fill it with water - the alternative being a ginormous hole in your garden, unless, of course you are building a pond or swimming pool and you'll be halfway there. Someone will have to backfill it after it's gone.

Verdigris said that it's a surface bulk LPG tank.

As I understand it (having been a customer of Calor for many years) normally the tank would transfer to the new owner as they would normally want to continue with LPG heating.

However, in this case, if the tank is no longer required then Calor would charge for its removal.

If Verdigris doesn't want it, then he should get the vendor to pay for its removal, or reach a suitable settlement between themselves prior to completion.

The contact between Calor and the present owner expires when the owner leaves.