Energy grants - communal gas?

moneysaver1978

Saw this post https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/how-to-get-help-if-you-re-struggling-with-your-energy-bills-/#ebssaf and while we have a direct relationship with the electricity supplier (and get the discount automatically), we don't for hot water/heating as we use a communal boiler (we live in a block of flats).

We haven't received any discount for this - are we supposed to apply for one? We do not know what fuel is used for the communal boiler or the energy supplier.

macman

How do you pay for the hot water and heating? Is it supplied and metered via an HIU, or do you simply pay a flat rate by way of a service charge?
No one has received a direct discount for mains gas: the EBSS was intended to subsidise all forms of energy usage, but was applied to your leccy bill as the most widespread and efficient way of distributing it.
District heating schemes are administered by the freeholder or management company and are as yet entirely unregulated.
A communal boiler would normally be powered by mains gas.

matelodave

Potentially you could claim £200 for the Alternative Fuel Payment  which was designed to help those who weren't getting the gas EPG., primarily those who are on oil, lpg or even wood but could possibly apply to those on District Heating Systems

Have a shufti here - https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=470b9d13002bfb3fJmltdHM9MTY4Mzg0OTYwMCZpZ3VpZD0zYWVlYmY5Yi1hMDQ4LTYzYzgtMzlhZC1hZjZhYTEzNzYyOTUmaW5zaWQ9NTE4Mg&ptn=3&hsh=3&fclid=3aeebf9b-a048-63c8-39ad-af6aa1376295&psq=claiming+alternative+fuel+payment&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ292LnVrL2FwcGx5LWFsdGVybmF0aXZlLWZ1ZWwtYmlsbC1zdXBwb3J0LWlmLW5vdC1hdXRvbWF0aWM&ntb=1

You may have to call the help-line to get clarification as I'm guessing that this could be a category that hadn't been envisaged.

moneysaver1978

On a monthly basis we get an invoice with how many units we used (along with standing order) and how much are due (via direct debit). We do not have access to the meter so it is all on the management company acting for the freeholder.

Price per unit:

• Heating & Hot Water: 0.10200
• Daily standing charge: 0.60600

SustainabilityMary

Do you realise that communal energy charges for leasehold properties are generally classified as commercial / business supplies and so are charged at commercial rates?

This means thta you pay 20% VAT and are not covered by Ofgem's energy price cap.

Even though the supply is related to domestic customers.

Something that needs changing. Its costing leaseholders and social tenants much more for their energy than someone who lives in a house.