Forum Topic

Advice for a tenant?

I live in a group of 5 flats, all of which have coin meters for gas and electricity. Since I moved in (5 months ago) we've continually received warnings and disconnection notices from the supplier, as it seemed the money was being collected from the meters but the bills weren't being paid (the same person owns all of the flats).I received a letter from the estate agent yesterday saying that the money collected from the meters isn't enough to cover the bills. From now on the difference will be divided up equally between the flats and we will have to pay it.I'm not impressed about this, because:- I didn't agree to this when I signed the tenancy agreement- Surely if the meter rate is wrong, that should be adjusted- I live on my own and there are families in some of the other flats, so I'm at a disadvantage if the extra is divided up equally- There is no indication of how much the discrepancy is- How am I to know that the owner is truthfully passing on the right amount? They could say any amountIs there anything I can do about this, or anyone I could speak to for advice?Any help welcome.Thanks,Jill

Jill Osborne ● 5932d15 Comments

Jill,I am sorry you have found in such a situation but few things spring to mind:1. Have you put in writing all above to the estate agents2. Get them to arrange the meters to be checked by the suppliers3. DOes everyone supplies their own reading or this is read by the supplier?Lastly, you are not obliged to contribute towards the discrepancy equally if you live alone, havent signed up in the agreement etc but you certainly need some legal advice before agreeing to anything.

Veki Pavlova ● 5932d

Thanks Veki,I haven't responded at all yet. I only got the letter yesterday. I should request that the meters are checked, that's true.To add insult to injury, twice in 5 months my electricity meter has failed completely (cutting off the power) and has had to be replaced. So it's not exactly a system that works well now.I don't know how the readings are done. We put in the money to make the power work, and the agency collects it. There must be a central meter somewhere that is read.Jill

Jill Osborne ● 5932d

I don't have any advice, I'm afraid, but do have a question. My understanding of metered utilities is that the metered cost far exceeds the unmetered cost. But what happens if one or more tenants bypasses their meter, turning a profit into a loss? Does the collector have the right to recoup the loss from all tenants?

Ian M Green ● 5932d

either someone is bypassing a meter or dodgy agency if they are collection the money?? Both needs investigation and I agree the metered cost is meant to be higher...

Veki Pavlova ● 5931d

You also can ask the power supplier to change the type of meter. when I moved in to my flat there was a 'coin meter', I changed it to a billing meter. That way you can make sure you only pay for what you use by providing the supplier every 3 months with a reading

Miriam Kerketta ● 5931d

Jill, the agents suggestion is nonsense. Did you follow up my contacts as advised when you moved in last Feb and posted?

Iain Muir ● 5931d

Hi Iain,Yes at the time I called the "Disconnections" people at Ealing Council - Housing Advice. They couldn't tell me much except that the utility company wouldn't disconnect the service. At that time the bill was eventually paid and the problem went away. I'll have to call again about this problem. My tenancy agreement says I can't change the meter without the owner's agreement, otherwise I would! I seem to remember it saying that agreement would not be unreasonably withheld... I'll dig it out again and have a read.Thanks,Jill

Jill Osborne ● 5930d

I've had a second letter about this. Apparently it would cost the owner £600 to have the coin meters replaced to be in line with today's utility prices. This would have to be passed on to us in the form of a rent increase. In return for the owner keeping the rent at the same level for another 2 years, we will instead pay the discrepancy between the meters and the actual electricity/gas cost.Still seems pretty rubbish to me. I'm waiting to hear back from 'Ealing Council - Housing Advice' about it - nothing so far!Jill

Jill Osborne ● 5926d

That doesn't sound right.Have you looked at your tenancy agreement?Has the building/your flat got a electricity certificate? it has to have before you can rent it out and that might be the way through.

Sara Nathan ● 5926d

Jill, It may be that rents decrease in the next couple of years, so be wary of that offer.  Hope you get it sorted.

Vivienne Duggan ● 5925d

If you are seeking outline legal advice say from law for all or the Cab then ask if the landlords continuing pattern of behaviour amounts to harrassment, and which Council Dept you could then consult. Either the agent has not paid or the agent is making deductions which are in breach of contract.Also is it the landlord who has to change the meter? If you would be prepared to change it, then have you asked the supplier (ring up Transco for the supplier) to see what it would cost and save you.When a landlord says something cannot be unreasonably witheld, they do not have a strong case to resist. You just write and ask and give them say a 3 week timescale. If they do not respond then another ultimatum saying you assume they have granted permission by not replying and then go ahead.. post MUST be registered however.Have assumed you are in private rented.If the whole issue gets so out of hand, you will have to get some legal advice. But first try mediating and negotiating and get everything on paper. You have first to evidence what a reasonable person you are.

George Knox ● 5925d

Thanks. Yes it's private rented and I know it's Southern Electric. The landlord has said they would have to change the meter.I will look into all of this after checking the wording in my rental agreement.Jill

Jill Osborne ● 5925d

Re the coin meters.Coin meters went out of circulation about 10 years ago.The one's that are in your property are probably refurbished ones.Check your agreement , if the bills are all included then you do not have to bother , it's down to the landlord.If the property is split into 5 flats or units they have to have a HMO (house of multipul occuapation)licence.The agent is probably trying it on .all the best.

ajit singh ● 5920d

Hi, bills are not included. Not sure about a HMO license, it certainly isn't mentioned anywhere in my tenancy agreement.I looked into changing supplier for my flat but it can't be done as there is one central meter for the house and the landlord would have to organise it.I have written a long letter with many comments and questions to the landlord & agent but no reply as yet. We are also still receiving court notices and threating letters from Southern Electric. £400 is owing. I am certainly not paying a thing until I see proof that this has been paid in full.Jill

Jill Osborne ● 5918d

Hi Jillfirst ignore Southern Electricity.Its not in your name so no problem.Speak to Ealing Council planning department and give your address and find out if the house is a HMO or not , Ealing council out of all councils is a bit behind the rest of London councils , if you say i have 7 bedrooms here and how many people you can put in it.Other councils will say up to 14 .Our wonderful will say 3 yes 3 ubtil you can get the HMO licence, which takes forever.

ajit singh ● 5909d