I would phone cab. It may well be that as it's in there name it might well be there problem. But you need to find out your rights as with such a large amount they will try holding your deposits and taking you to court for the rest. So before you start all that hassle you need to know exactly where you stand.
£4300 Electricity Bill!
- Thread starter Ekim
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That would depend entirely on the contract. If it says you are responsible for bills. Then that isn't the case as you phone up give a reading and start a new account. It's then up to the energy board/agency to argue who pays it, but it wont be the new tenants.
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Wouldn't that depend on the leasing agreement? If they've signed something saying that the utilities aren't included in rent/are the tenants responsibility wouldn't that put the problem with them?
Are you sure about that? I know I've been asked to provide proof that that the last bill was paid when I've left properties but I don't believe there was anything on the document that said this was from an updated meter reading or an estimate. Also when ever I've closed an account it's me that gives them the latest metre reading, so in theory I could have lied.
I would say that if the tenants have signed a lease stating that they're responsible for utilities then that would mean that it was their responsibility to make sure their account was started fresh.
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I guess so, as I said innitially, the tenants have been very naive by not taking a meter reading when they first walked into the flat. Still though, the bill shouldn't really be in someone elses name should it?
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Agreed.
Its odd that the bill is even allowed to be in there name.
Are you getting the bills sent to you or is your landlord/ letting agency getting them. I mean if they are getting them they could be charging you the wrong amount any way.
Also I have to agree with others if its in their name they should be the ones getting the meter readings and checking everything is correct. Plus if you walk out of the flat they cant take your despoit away as its nothing to do with you its there fault not yours.
I've had a similar issue with BG on the Gas account.
What you need to do, to work out the maximum you should owe is this..
Take a note of your meter reading.
Switch every electrical appliance on, and leave on for half an hour.
Take another reading.
Turn everything off ( or back to "normal" ).
Now, double your reading to get the hourly KWh used, then by 24, then by the number of days you've been in the place - that would be your maximum KWh you could have reasonably used.
Then start to factor things down a little, so work out the consumption of lighting, fridge etc, the remaining being what would be your heating use.
Then "sense-check" it, and talk to the electrcity company. There will be a clause in your rent somewhere that says you're liable for bills, and you could possibly have defaults placed against you ( by the agent ), if you do a runner..
What you need to do, to work out the maximum you should owe is this..
Take a note of your meter reading.
Switch every electrical appliance on, and leave on for half an hour.
Take another reading.
Turn everything off ( or back to "normal" ).
Now, double your reading to get the hourly KWh used, then by 24, then by the number of days you've been in the place - that would be your maximum KWh you could have reasonably used.
Then start to factor things down a little, so work out the consumption of lighting, fridge etc, the remaining being what would be your heating use.
Then "sense-check" it, and talk to the electrcity company. There will be a clause in your rent somewhere that says you're liable for bills, and you could possibly have defaults placed against you ( by the agent ), if you do a runner..
Some agencies do this, they pay then reclaim of the tenants. It is odd how it is the agencies name yet the tenants are dealing directly with the power company..
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Aye, wouldn't the elec company refuse to speak to someone who is not the bill payer due to the data protection act etc etc?
After we explain the situation they always talk to us - don't seem to have a problem with it.
The bills are coming straight to us.
They should do.
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To me it sounds like there is something dodgy going on.....
If you know anyone who knows anything about cabling, I'd try and get them to have a quick shifty around.
However, you've not said when the last official reading was taken by the elec company so it's a bit hard to know what is really going on!
If you know anyone who knows anything about cabling, I'd try and get them to have a quick shifty around.
However, you've not said when the last official reading was taken by the elec company so it's a bit hard to know what is really going on!
They take a reading of your meter? or do they mean it's a joint meter. ie two displays and they take there reading everyday.
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That's bad!
have you paid anything at all since you moved in?
if not then if you can get the reading from the shop for the date you moved in then give this to the electric company as your liability and inform them that the letting agents are liable for the rest
There are two separate meters - one for the shop one for us.
We have already paid 3 bills this year. The guys at home are chasing up the shop now - or at least I have asked them to.