Tiny Flat No Electricity Meter

nblyth

My kids are renting a tiny attic space above an Indian restaurant which has electricity only. It is basically one room only.

The restaurant below have noise until early hours and after a few complaints to them, they said to them go away and you wait until you get your electric bill.

The electricity meter is found in the Indian restaurant ground floor so they have no access to it unless they ask the restaurant. They took an initial reading when moved in. They've chased landlord for bill and now he has told them their electricity bill is £900 for 6 months. There is no bill produced and only his say so. They don't have a choice of provider and the landlord is apparently the customer.

They've split this accomodation into 2 or 3 rooms at some point. Is there anyway an electrician can say from looking at a meter what power points it is supplying as clearly they are being billed for someone's else's use. They have gaps in floor where they see the launderette for the restaurant. I have a 4 bed detached house and my electricity is £50 per week! Can anyone tell me if the landlord by law should provide their own meter they have access to etc. Any help gratefully received.

MultiFuelBurner

Doesn't sound fit for purpose but that's another story.

Maybe they should suggest if they don't present a full bill with meter readings they will contact the local council about the conditions.

You may find they never hear another thing from them.

Netexporter

The landlord can fit a sub-meter to serve each flat. The electricity will be at commercial rates, which are generally higher than domestic, as it is coming from a commercial supply.

GingerTim

Get out of dodge asap, I reckon.

Archerychick

The price might be right if it’s a commercial agreement, but it doesn’t sound like an ideal
place to be renting. You can ask for the bill, but I don’t think he’s obliged to provide. What does it say in their rental agreement about the process for charges?

stripling

nblyth said:

My kids are renting a tiny attic space above an Indian restaurant which has electricity only. It is basically one room only.

The restaurant below have noise until early hours and after a few complaints to them, they said to them go away and you wait until you get your electric bill.

The electricity meter is found in the Indian restaurant ground floor so they have no access to it unless they ask the restaurant. They took an initial reading when moved in. They've chased landlord for bill and now he has told them their electricity bill is £900 for 6 months. There is no bill produced and only his say so. They don't have a choice of provider and the landlord is apparently the customer.

They've split this accomodation into 2 or 3 rooms at some point. Is there anyway an electrician can say from looking at a meter what power points it is supplying as clearly they are being billed for someone's else's use. They have gaps in floor where they see the launderette for the restaurant. I have a 4 bed detached house and my electricity is £50 per week! Can anyone tell me if the landlord by law should provide their own meter they have access to etc. Any help gratefully received.

If this is an HMO - multiple occupation - it has to be licensed or it is illegal.