Business connected to my residential meter

Julie1965

Hi, 
Not sure if I have posted this in the right place.  I moved into a rented flat over  year ago.  I as getting high electricity bills and realised that an estate agents next door were on my meter.  We have the same landlord and they are closed.  Eventually, the landlord got UK power out and they said it was a simple job as the shop on have one switch on my board.  Then the shop told me because of covid meters werent' being fitted.  Before Christmas it was because of the energy crisis no energy supplier is fitting meters. For a one bed flat I'm paying around £200 a month to cover them.  They do pay me on an 80/20 split in my favour bu it took me a few months to get them to do this. I have to chase most months for the money.  The landlord says don't switch them off as you will affect their business!  I am worried with the increases Bulb are going to expect me to pay more to cover the costs.  I have explained to bulb many times my situations.  I have been trying to call British Gas EDF to try and get something in writing to say they are fitting meters but I'm either on hold for hours or I message customers services, BG doens't have one for business or they say I need to contact business department who I can never get through to.  I want something in writing so I can show the estate agent they have no excuse.  Their electrician told me he does't think I am allowed to switch them off.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thank you!

Alter_ego

Switch them off!

Bring the situation to a head.

There is no reason your supply should support their business

Robin9

You are probably doing quite well on that 80/20 spilt - - you are paying £40 out of £200.

But agree with Alter - needs resolving and their meter should be on their premises not yours

MWT

Even if it is proving difficult to get a separate supply and meter organised for the estate agents, it would be quick and easy for the landlord to install a private meter to accurately measure the amount they are using, but I'm not sure that would be in your favour if they are already paying 80% of the bill...

Alter_ego

Have they paid 80% of your past year's bills?

wild666

I agree with Alter_ego switch it off. When the shop gets cold and you are out or using another source to keep warm, something like a hot water bottle, they will have the problem sorted themselves. Plus as a business their standing charges could be pounds per day rather than the pence per day that domestic customers pay. Also in summer when the shop might keep the heating on you will be paying 20% of their heating bill when you don't need any heating on.

Alter_ego

It won't need the shop to get cold, their computers will go down. Computers are vital to Estate agents.

Also probably illegal to supply business premises from a residential supply

markin

If they are closed have they just got a small server running and working from home? could it be move to the bosses home? Or do they have electric heat on for no good reason?

wittynamegoeshere

Are you paying 80% or 20%?

Either way it's definitely not acceptable, unless you think you're getting a good deal in which case perhaps just keep quiet.  If I was paying £40 a month in winter I'd definitely keep quiet.

You could contact Citizen's Advice, I'm sure your landlord must be obliged to ensure that you have your own meter.  It really shouldn't be something that you have to concern yourself with.

QrizB

MWT said:

Even if it is proving difficult to get a separate supply and meter organised for the estate agents, it would be quick and easy for the landlord to install a private meter to accurately measure the amount they are using, but I'm not sure that would be in your favour if they are already paying 80% of the bill...

^^ This. A privagte meter costs less than £50 and (unless you've got a very funny installation) a competent sparky could fit it in less than an hour.

But the estate agencty should have a commercial tariff and be paying 20% VAT, not 5%.

If you *really* want to get some action: https://www.gov.uk/report-vat-fraud

EssexHebridean

I'd be inclined to let the situation run to a little closer to the end of winter, then pop something in writing to both the EA's and the landlord stating that it's no longer acceptable for you to be having to reclaim the costs, that your energy company want to increase your monthly DD to a level you simply cannot afford and that it now needs sorting out as a matter of extreme urgency. As a gesture of goodwill, you could mention that you are willing to accept the way things have been until that point - but be very clear that you are no longer in a position for it to continue in this way. That would potentially ensure you see through the last of this winter's bills at a bargain rate, but have the situation sorted out before costs DO increase too much more.