Electricity bill for empty house

northernexposure_2

I'm currently on week 12 of probate application wait (took them 4 weeks to record receiving it) my fathers electricity bill is £245 per quarter. All I have on is 2 lamps on timers 🤷‍♀️

He was in credit with his supplier and this money is just being whittled away, I cannot believe they are charging this amount.  I've checked the metre and their estimate matches the meter reading. 

I'm waiting for probate to sell the house but I'm so upset that I should have to wait so long for such a simple estate.

The estate agent is recommending chasing probate (im not listing it until.probate is issued) but its not been 16 weeks yet so don't know if its worth the hassle.

Honestly everything I go round to his house im so upset, I want to get some closure. Plus the house is deteriorating and I worry about break ins.

I hate this all.

Tha ks for listening!

Neil49

First of all make sure you have led bulbs in the lamps (around 4 watts or about 600 to 800 lumen). If you have the old fashioned 100 watt bulbs in then you will achieve a big saving.

Is anything else running such as a fridge or immersion heater? Next time you are there during the day just monitor the meter to see if moves even a fraction. If it does then find out what is causing the usage. Don't forget to switch off the timers when doing this as even they take a little power. 

If there's nothing running then switch off the power at the meter and then see if it still moves. If it does then you have a faulty meter. 

Don't forget there are daily standing charges on the bill which are unavoidable.

Best of luck. 

Grumpelstiltskin

Why don't you want to list it for sale before probate is complete?

Estate agents deal with this situation regularly.

I hope you are paying insurance on the empty house, if not the electric bill could be the least of your worries.

TheMilkmansDad

How is the house heated? What's the thermostat set at? Is there an immersion heater for hot water that's been left on?

Jowwie

Perhaps there was money owing due to previous usage?

Standing charges I would only expect to be around £50-£60, but of course depends on the supplier and tariff.

northernexposure_2

Neil49 said:

First of all make sure you have led bulbs in the lamps (around 4 watts or about 600 to 800 lumen). If you have the old fashioned 100 watt bulbs in then you will achieve a big saving.

Is anything else running such as a fridge or immersion heater? Next time you are there during the day just monitor the meter to see if moves even a fraction. If it does then find out what is causing the usage. Don't forget to switch off the timers when doing this as even they take a little power. 

If there's nothing running then switch off the power at the meter and then see if it still moves. If it does then you have a faulty meter. 

Don't forget there are daily standing charges on the bill which are unavoidable.

Best of luck. 

Thank you, will do this.
I've switched everything off so it is just the lights,  I will monitor the meter . Thank you

northernexposure_2

Grumpelstiltskin said:

Why don't you want to list it for sale before probate is complete?

Estate agents deal with this situation regularly.

I hope you are paying insurance on the empty house, if not the electric bill could be the least of your worries.

It's going to auction so has to be completed within specific amount of days after sale.

Insurance is valid until July so goodness knows if probate is back by then

northernexposure_2

TheMilkmansDad said:

How is the house heated? What's the thermostat set at? Is there an immersion heater for hot water that's been left on?

No none of this, its just the 2 lamps !

northernexposure_2

Jowwie said:

Perhaps there was money owing due to previous usage?

Standing charges I would only expect to be around £50-£60, but of course depends on the supplier and tariff.

He was over £1000 in credit and had made actual meter readings as oppose to estimates so goodness knows what is going on. I'm shocked, will monitor the meter from now on, who knows might be faulty 🤷‍♀️

Jowwie

That is a bit weird. Leave the two lights off perhaps. Go back after 24 hours and see if the meter has moved.

Brie

northernexposure_2 said:

I'm currently on week 12 of probate application wait (took them 4 weeks to record receiving it) my fathers electricity bill is £245 per quarter. All I have on is 2 lamps on timers 🤷‍♀️

He was in credit with his supplier and this money is just being whittled away, I cannot believe they are charging this amount.  I've checked the metre and their estimate matches the meter reading. 

You say how much is being paid but not if this matches what is being used.  If he was in credit then maybe there's nothing really to be paid?

Have you informed the supplier that he has died? (sorry for your loss btw)  I would ensure that this is done and then cancel any DD and let them know that you will settle the bill when the house is sold.  Make sure you record everything that is discussed in the call along with date, time and who you talk to.