End of tenancy utility bills

JT988888

SiliconChip said:

They didn't ask you to provide readings but were readings actually taken at times during your tenancy, perhaps on inspection visits? If they weren't then there would have been no way to alert you (unless it's a Smart meter that sent in its own readings). Have you confirmed that the readings used for billing do indeed match the start and end of tenancy readings?

You could certainly argue that paying anything more than an addition £436 (20% of what your inclusive payments) is unfair. Whether you'll win or not I don't know, but if the landlord doesn't agree I'd claim your full deposit from the scheme where it's held and dispute the extra bills amount through them.

No meter readings were taken during inspection or visits, nor were we asked to provide. We have slight conflicting information now looking back on this as it was details it could be done via building management system (it's a purpose built building of flats, all rented via one management company (50+ flats)). We had the electric meter within the apartment but not water.


The 20% is really I think what we're going to be looking at, its a well known private rental company with 4 buildings of 50+ flats in London, they very much market themselves on making renting easy and have a whole article on their bill management. They refer everyone to the handbook which details this 20% usage alert and continual monitoring from them. 

aoleks

So according to the contract, you need to get notified every time (presumably monthly) your usage exceeds 20%. Whether this is done by asking you to provide readings or by the management company taking readings themselves, it doesn’t matter.

fact is, you haven’t been notified of any such exceedings, hence this bill that states your usage is around 50% more comes as a bit of surprise.

what are the start and end readings please, for water and elec? It’s easy to find out who your provider is, potentially even the tarrif.

rexmedorum

What a mess!

Might be worth getting some legal advice, however eithe rway I'd at the very least want a stack of dataed statements, which should also include the prices etc so you can work out the figure is correct.