Should a domestic tenant be paying commercial rates for electric?

JC1440

So, this is the setup. I live in a rented house, there's another rented house, a pub and dentist office. We're all connected in regards to the electric, I have a sub meter and the main one is either in the pub or dentist, I forget. We all share the same landlord. He's a nice guy and trustworthy. I've rented my house for eight years nearly.

The electric bills have always been acceptable, but the last two have sky rocketed. The last one, in September, was double the amount I normally pay for electricity, and the one I just got from my landlord has doubled again, even before the price hike!

He tells me we're on a commercial rate but obviously I'm a tenant, not a business. Is there anything I need to know about this situation?

Thanks

Ectophile

There's not a lot you can do about it.  The landlord's supply is commercial, not residential.  the landlord is allowed to charge you the same rate that they pay (but no more).

However, as a domestic customer, the VAT should be calculated at 5%, not 20%.  Unless the landlord is VAT registered, this could leave them out of pocket.

MWT

The landlord cannot pass on the cost of the Climate Change Levy to a domestic tenant either...

JC1440

Thanks, both.

SAC2334

JC1440 said:

Thanks, both.

I m interested in what rate you re paying now per kwh .It could be less than what most of us a paying now .eg for me its 27.5 p a kwh plus 48p a day standing charge .Are you paying the daily standing charge ? Business rate contracts can be over many years too so it may be a better deal in the end .

LADYXXMACBETH

We had a similar situation. We paid our electricity on the commercial rate. In spoke to the electricity company and they removed some costs due to us being residential. 

Robin9

@JC1440 i  think is submetered so doesnt pay a supplier direct so I dont believe that would apply

Steve_SS

To bring this thread up to date.
This situation applies to me. And for the last eighteen months I have been paying 55p/KWh. It is crippling me financially. 

mmmmikey

Steve_SS said:

To bring this thread up to date.
This situation applies to me. And for the last eighteen months I have been paying 55p/KWh. It is crippling me financially. 

Gulp, what a nightmare! If (and only if!) you live in a suitable property then bottled gas could be a cheaper option for heating, working out at about 28p/kWh for me. Modern gas cabinet heaters have much improved safely features than the ones that granny used to have but adequate ventilation is vital. I have a modern "blue flame" heater with effective thermostatic control that I use in the conservatory, and another one I use for additional heating in an open plan kitchen/dining room.