Residential electric meter registered as business - first time tenant

help2024

Hi, my daughter moved into a studio flat in a built to rent residential building almost 5 weeks ago. The development opened earlier this year and she is the first person in her studio. Each flat has its own electric meter in it. When we viewed it we asked about electric and were told it was with EDF but some people were having issues so they had agreed people could use another provider.

Her welcome email told her to ring EDF on a specific number (which is no longer in use) to set up her account. She was eventually put through to the business team who told her before they can set up her account and get a quote/tariff they needed certain info from the landlord as the meter was registered as a business. She has also tried comparison sites and spoken to Octopus and they have said EDF need to amend it to a domestic meter first.

She has spoken to the staff in the building who manage the property a few times and provided them with the response she got from EDF on what they needed from them. The man who said he is trying to sort it out appears to be in no rush, and told her other people haven't paid for months!

My concern is that she will be charged on a business tariff without the protection of the energy cap, receive a huge bill, and cant get a deal agreed and obviously costs are due to increase. through no fault of her own. She has a photo of the meter reading from the day her tenancy started and I have told her to take one at the end of this month.

Has anyone had this issue before or can anyone suggest how we can progress it quickly? 

Brie

People who haven't paid will be hit with large bills at some point.  And without the freeholder's assistance this is going to be difficult to do.  She needs to be banging on their door every single day until they do something.  If she doesn't make any headway see if it's possible to get the supply registered back to the development so it's their bill and not hers.  

Robin9

Your daughter will have to persist with EDF.   Don't waste time with Customer Support.

Go straight into the Complaints process and write - headed COMPLAINT to the Business Team - enclose a copy of the tenancy agreement.  

As per @Brie pester the freeholder every day -  she is the first of many in the development so they can expect of complaints.

As others move in warn them of the problem.

help2024

Thanks - she is actually the last in the development as hers was one of the last two available. I've told her to speak to another tenant on her floor and see if they are sorted or have the same issue.

I was thinking it may be best to bypass the on site management company and contact the landlord direct? 

Ildhund

Just FYI, the supply's MPAN will show whether it's business or domestic. Profile Class 01 or 02 means Domestic. Anything else means business.

Scot_39

This sounds as clear as mud.


Many blocks are tied to a single supplier.

And on commercial or so called heat network type rates.

In such cases the flats will more often than not - still have their own meters - but they aren't for direct use by a normal domestic supplier.  Although have come across some in common meter cabinets.

So for instance EOn Next are normal domestic supplier, with an Ofgem SVT etc, EOn Heat are a block energy HW / heat supplier - largely not regulated by Ofgem as yet. 

Some flats have to deal for both - for normal electrics and heating / HW metering.

You or she need to find out exactly what the intended setup is - legally and in writing if not clear from tenancy or lease.

The fact the individual meter was registered as a business seems to suggest it may have been intended to be so by freeholders.  Many have found themselves on near enough raw wholesale and/or business rates as part of a freeholders deal with THEIR chosen suppliers.
 

As a leaseholder you often have zero choice of supplier in a block supply deal.