Meter

Andy07777

I just moved into a property and it looks like it was originally 1 property turned into 3. There is only 1 electricity meter, and the landlords don't know what to do and I've repeatedly asked to pay. 

With the new energy prices too I'm worried about a large bill. What should I do? Should I keep asking, or stop and hope they forget for longer and there is some law that protects me? 

Thank you

MWT

What does it say in your rental/lease agreement about energy costs?

jbuchanangb

If one meter is handling the supply to 3 properties, then really the landlords need to contact the energy supplier and have things reorganised so that each property has its own meter. Until they do that I suppose you could offer to pay one-third of the energy charges derived from that meter, as and when the landlord shows you a bill.

Gerry1

You need to insist that your supply is metered, either by a private sub meter or by the landlord arranging that each property is supplied independently with each occupant choosing their energy company and paying their own bills.  Paying one third each simply means that everyone may turn the wick up to make sure they get their money's worth, and woe betide someone who works in an office and goes away at weekends.

In the meantime, remember that that a landlord reselling energy is not allowed to make a profit, so ask for evidence of the tariff that they are using.  Also make sure that there's been a safety check if any gas appliances are present, the whole set up sounds a bit dodgy.

Robin9

Andy07777 said:

........................... the landlords don't know what to do and I've repeatedly asked to pay. ................

The landlords need to spend money get a metered supply into each property (preferably in the properties  themselves) and get all the wiring split -  all that should have been as part of the conversion.

wild666

Offer to pay one third of the bill plus standing charges until the landlord gets the properties correctly metered. If you're a low user this could be a problem if the other tenants are high users.

MWT

I really wouldn't go down the route of offering to pay 1/3 as it sets a precedent that could prove to be expensive and it lets the landlord off the hook.

As I posted earlier, start from the agreement you signed when you moved in, what does that say about energy charges?

As a side not I would also worry about how the building has been divided and if it is actually compliant with the requirements for rental property...

Also watch out for letters arriving addressed to 'The occupier' as it is possible that the landlord does not have the supply properly registered in their name either.

If you have access to the meter, do take regular readings just in case you need them in the future. Obviously a meter reading on the day you moved in would have been good, but you may not have that...

Andy07777

I will have to check the agreement. 

We are a flat of 2. The other 2 flats are single occupancy. So from that point of view, splitting doesn't seem fair.

The building is all legit. It's a reputable company, and it's a medium block of flats.

MWT

Andy07777 said:

The building is all legit. It's a reputable company, and it's a medium block of flats.

It really isn't legit if they have failed to properly split and meter the power supply, someone has messed up badly and they know what they need to do, but appear not to want to spend the money...

Does your landlord own the whole building, or just the leasehold on the 3 flats?

Andy07777

The company not long bought the property, the so I'm guessing they didn't know what the goings on were. The landlord owns a few flats within the block, not sure how many. 

[Deleted User]

Hi,

wow, I wouldn't be paying a third unless I knew exactly what I was using.