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Faulty electricity meter responsibility in a rented flat
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Tim+
Nov 27, 2012, 10:50:02 AM11/27/12
to
My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
Of course it's very nice that the flat residents are all getting "free"
electricity but I'm concerned that this could come back and bite them in the
bum in the future.
Legally I'm sure that the landlord is responsible for for informing the
electricty company but if he/she *doesn't* do that (and if the flat
occupants know that he/she hasn't) does responsibility then devolve to the
residents to "come clean" and let the electricity company know?
I've suggested that my daughter ought to put aside some money each money
based on estimated consumption but being a shared flat (four occupants) this
is hard to do, particularly when they don't know what rate they would be
charged at. I'm not even sure if there is a meter as such that they can
read to monitor their consumption.
Given that taking a unilateral decision to inform the electricity company of
the problem might well make my daughter persona non grata within the flat,
what should she do?
Tim
electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
Of course it's very nice that the flat residents are all getting "free"
electricity but I'm concerned that this could come back and bite them in the
bum in the future.
Legally I'm sure that the landlord is responsible for for informing the
electricty company but if he/she *doesn't* do that (and if the flat
occupants know that he/she hasn't) does responsibility then devolve to the
residents to "come clean" and let the electricity company know?
I've suggested that my daughter ought to put aside some money each money
based on estimated consumption but being a shared flat (four occupants) this
is hard to do, particularly when they don't know what rate they would be
charged at. I'm not even sure if there is a meter as such that they can
read to monitor their consumption.
Given that taking a unilateral decision to inform the electricity company of
the problem might well make my daughter persona non grata within the flat,
what should she do?
Tim
Man at B&Q
Nov 27, 2012, 11:45:02 AM11/27/12
to
On Nov 27, 4:03 pm, "Tim+" <timdownie2...@nospampleaseyahoo.co.uk>
wrote:
Ring the REC and report a fault with the meter. Someone turns up and
the occupants asume the landlord has sorted the problem.
MBQ
wrote:
the occupants asume the landlord has sorted the problem.
MBQ
Tim+
Nov 27, 2012, 12:20:02 PM11/27/12
to
don't think it's going to be that simple.
Tim
GB
Nov 27, 2012, 12:55:02 PM11/27/12
to
On 27/11/2012 15:50, Tim+ wrote:
> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck
> at 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being
> prepayment there's no one coming from the electricity company to read
> the meter.
>
> Of course it's very nice that the flat residents are all getting "free"
> electricity but I'm concerned that this could come back and bite them in
> the bum in the future.
>
> Legally I'm sure that the landlord is responsible for for informing the
> electricty company
Is this an HMO? Otherwise, it's likely to be the responsibility of the
> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck
> at 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being
> prepayment there's no one coming from the electricity company to read
> the meter.
>
> Of course it's very nice that the flat residents are all getting "free"
> electricity but I'm concerned that this could come back and bite them in
> the bum in the future.
>
> Legally I'm sure that the landlord is responsible for for informing the
> electricty company
electricity users, not the landlord.
Nightjar
Nov 27, 2012, 2:30:02 PM11/27/12
to
....
probably a large one, when the electricity company finds out. The longer
it is since your daughter moved in, the more of it she will have to pay.
Colin Bignell
>> Ring the REC and report a fault with the meter. Someone turns up and
>> the occupants asume the landlord has sorted the problem.
>>
>> MBQ
>
> Hmm, what about the months of unpaid for electricity? Who pays for that? I
> don't think it's going to be that simple.
>
> Tim
>
All the more reason to get it sorted out now. There will be a bill,
>> the occupants asume the landlord has sorted the problem.
>>
>> MBQ
>
> Hmm, what about the months of unpaid for electricity? Who pays for that? I
> don't think it's going to be that simple.
>
> Tim
>
probably a large one, when the electricity company finds out. The longer
it is since your daughter moved in, the more of it she will have to pay.
Colin Bignell
Tim+
Nov 27, 2012, 12:50:17 PM11/27/12
to
Tim
Owain
Nov 27, 2012, 1:45:02 PM11/27/12
to
On Nov 27, 4:03 pm, "Tim+" wrote:
> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
> 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
> there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
It is possible that the meter is still recording the units of
> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
> 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
> there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
electricity used, but has a corrupted cost database so is charging
0.0p kWh and 0.0p standing charge per day.
If this is the case then the electricity consumed will be easily
ascertained.
If daughter has *recently* moved in to the flat she shoudl report it
ASAP especially if her name is on the bill
Owain
Tim+
Nov 27, 2012, 1:50:01 PM11/27/12
to
GB <NOTso...@microsoft.com> wrote:
> On 27/11/2012 15:50, Tim+ wrote:
>> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
>> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck
>> at 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being
>> prepayment there's no one coming from the electricity company to read
>> the meter.
>>
>> Of course it's very nice that the flat residents are all getting "free"
>> electricity but I'm concerned that this could come back and bite them in
>> the bum in the future.
>>
>> Legally I'm sure that the landlord is responsible for for informing the
>> electricty company
>
> Is this an HMO? Otherwise, it's likely to be the responsibility of the
> electricity users, not the landlord.
Sorry, it was my assumption that the landlord would be responsible for
> On 27/11/2012 15:50, Tim+ wrote:
>> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
>> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck
>> at 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being
>> prepayment there's no one coming from the electricity company to read
>> the meter.
>>
>> Of course it's very nice that the flat residents are all getting "free"
>> electricity but I'm concerned that this could come back and bite them in
>> the bum in the future.
>>
>> Legally I'm sure that the landlord is responsible for for informing the
>> electricty company
>
> Is this an HMO? Otherwise, it's likely to be the responsibility of the
> electricity users, not the landlord.
fixtures like meters etc.
Tim
Percy Picacity
Nov 27, 2012, 5:35:01 PM11/27/12
to
for it, and probably for not using a broken meter to obtain it. This
applies even if the landlord is responsible for making sure there is a
working system. If it is a card meter, rather then the old cash
meters[1], it is likely the landlord does not actually own it.
[1] they used two shilling pieces last time I saw one.
--
Percy Picacity
Tim+
Nov 27, 2012, 5:15:16 PM11/27/12
to
I understand the meter has been broken for much longer than that. I wonder
how that would be sorted out?
Tim
Tim+
Nov 27, 2012, 5:30:03 PM11/27/12
to
Tim
Percy Picacity
Nov 27, 2012, 6:45:02 PM11/27/12
to
records of prepayments from the right person having been made.
--
Percy Picacity
Nightjar
Nov 27, 2012, 7:15:02 PM11/27/12
to
occupation for a relatively short time, they can claim that they didn't
initially notice that the meter was not working. Leave it too long and
that won't be very probable, with the result that they might find
themselves charged with fraudulent or dishonest use of electricity.
It is a very long time since I worked for an Electricity Board, but what
we would have done with someone who was not suspected of fraud was to
look at what appliances were installed, then look up a table of typical
usage and charge them according to that for the period they had been in
occupation.
Colin Bignell
Roland Perry
Nov 28, 2012, 3:40:03 AM11/28/12
to
In message <6508jj....@news.alt.net>, at 23:45:02 on Tue, 27 Nov
2012, Percy Picacity <k...@under.the.invalid> remarked:
if none of the current residents have ever contacted them (and indeed
don't even know who to contact).
--
Roland Perry
2012, Percy Picacity <k...@under.the.invalid> remarked:
>>> If daughter has *recently* moved in to the flat she shoudl report
>>>
>>>
>>> ASAP especially if her name is on the bill
>>> Owain
>> But there is no bill, it's a prepayment meter...
>
>>> Owain
>> But there is no bill, it's a prepayment meter...
>
>There is an underlying bill which will become evident if there is no
>records of prepayments from the right person having been made.
How does the electricity company know who to attribute such a bill to,
>records of prepayments from the right person having been made.
if none of the current residents have ever contacted them (and indeed
don't even know who to contact).
--
Roland Perry
John
Nov 28, 2012, 8:15:02 AM11/28/12
to
On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:50:17 +0000, Tim+
<timdow...@nospampleaseyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>Another problem is that with no bills, I have no idea who the REC is.
Ring up one of the suppliers up, explain the situation, and they
<timdow...@nospampleaseyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>Another problem is that with no bills, I have no idea who the REC is.
should be able to help you identify the current supplier.You can then
report the meter as faulty.
If the flatmates ring the supplier of choice up and indicate that they
wish to have electricity supplied by them you may well find they will
get it sorted at no cost for previous supply.
--
John
Sara
Nov 28, 2012, 10:30:12 AM11/28/12
to
In article <mk2cb8hjgcjl7pdh1...@4ax.com>,
They might, but be careful since AFAIAA a new supplier can't take over a
supply with any outstanding balance on the account. Whether this account
would show as having an o/s balance, goodness only knows.
--
Sara
cats cats cats cats cats
supply with any outstanding balance on the account. Whether this account
would show as having an o/s balance, goodness only knows.
--
Sara
cats cats cats cats cats
tim.....
Nov 28, 2012, 2:35:02 PM11/28/12
to
"Sara" <sarame...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:saramerriman-87E1...@news.eternal-september.org...
> In article <mk2cb8hjgcjl7pdh1...@4ax.com>,
> John <focus594...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:50:17 +0000, Tim+
>> <timdow...@nospampleaseyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>
>> >Another problem is that with no bills, I have no idea who the REC is.
>>
>> Ring up one of the suppliers up, explain the situation, and they
>> should be able to help you identify the current supplier.You can then
>> report the meter as faulty.
>>
>> If the flatmates ring the supplier of choice up and indicate that they
>> wish to have electricity supplied by them you may well find they will
>> get it sorted at no cost for previous supply.
>
> They might, but be careful since AFAIAA a new supplier can't take over a
> supply with any outstanding balance on the account.
Of course they can
> John <focus594...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 17:50:17 +0000, Tim+
>> <timdow...@nospampleaseyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>
>> >Another problem is that with no bills, I have no idea who the REC is.
>>
>> Ring up one of the suppliers up, explain the situation, and they
>> should be able to help you identify the current supplier.You can then
>> report the meter as faulty.
>>
>> If the flatmates ring the supplier of choice up and indicate that they
>> wish to have electricity supplied by them you may well find they will
>> get it sorted at no cost for previous supply.
>
> They might, but be careful since AFAIAA a new supplier can't take over a
> supply with any outstanding balance on the account.
everyone who applies for a change of supplier is bound to have an
outstanding balance owed for the current billing period.
what you can't do is change supplier if you are in arrears on a previous
bill by IIRC 300 pounds (or more). But if this were the case, you would
already have the letter telling you so.
tim
Percy Picacity
Nov 28, 2012, 3:10:05 PM11/28/12
to
have the arrears. Even if there is a vast backlog of un-paid-for
electricity, if you can prove you only moved in recently they will not
be able to insist you pay it before switching.
--
Percy Picacity
Laurence Taylor
Nov 28, 2012, 1:45:02 PM11/28/12
to
On 27/11/2012 15:50, Tim+ wrote:
> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
> 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
> there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
>
> Of course it's very nice that the flat residents are all getting "free"
> electricity but I'm concerned that this could come back and bite them in the
> bum in the future.
Is this the only meter for the premises? It may be that the landlord's
> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
> 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
> there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
>
> Of course it's very nice that the flat residents are all getting "free"
> electricity but I'm concerned that this could come back and bite them in the
> bum in the future.
meter is being read, and paid for, and the prepayment meter was
installed by the landlord (who is allowed to set his own rate, within
limits).
> Legally I'm sure that the landlord is responsible for for informing the
> electricty company but if he/she *doesn't* do that (and if the flat
> occupants know that he/she hasn't) does responsibility then devolve to the
> residents to "come clean" and let the electricity company know?
>
> I've suggested that my daughter ought to put aside some money each money
> based on estimated consumption but being a shared flat (four occupants) this
> is hard to do, particularly when they don't know what rate they would be
> charged at. I'm not even sure if there is a meter as such that they can
> read to monitor their consumption.
Was anything mentioned when the rental contract was signed?
--
rgds
LAurence
<><
Tim+
Nov 28, 2012, 3:10:12 PM11/28/12
to
it's in arrears yet.
FWIW, we now know who the electricity company is. The problem is
convincing the other flatmates to do the right thing. As you can imagine,
they're not wildly enthusiastic.
Tim
Owain
Nov 28, 2012, 4:25:02 PM11/28/12
to
On Nov 28, 8:10 pm, Tim+ wrote:
> FWIW, we now know who the electricity company is. The problem is
> convincing the other flatmates to do the right thing. As you can imagine,
> they're not wildly enthusiastic.
They may not be, but theft of electricity is prosecuted under Theft
> FWIW, we now know who the electricity company is. The problem is
> convincing the other flatmates to do the right thing. As you can imagine,
> they're not wildly enthusiastic.
Act 1968 Section 13 and has a maximum sentence of 5 years'
imprisonment. Evidence of continuing theft is more likely to receive a
custodial sentence.
Did all the residents move in together (or were some already resident
e.g. your daughter has a room in a flat-share) with the expectation of
'free' electricity or is this an unexpected bonus?
Owain
Sara
Nov 29, 2012, 1:25:01 AM11/29/12
to
In article <ahn6jj...@mid.individual.net>,
I stand corrected :)
--
Billy doesn't clean his paws often enough. Mucky cat.
--
Billy doesn't clean his paws often enough. Mucky cat.
paul george
Nov 29, 2012, 3:15:01 AM11/29/12
to
On Tuesday, 27 November 2012 16:03:36 UTC, Tim+ wrote:
> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
>
> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
>
> 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
>
> there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
>
>
You are wrong about that. Prepayment meters are read.
> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
>
> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
>
> 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
>
> there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
>
>
The meter does not know when there is a rate increase so even prepayment
accounts go into arrears.
I suggest they inform the company that they have just moved in and get a
reading before they get a bill for the 'months and months'.
Stephen Wolstenholme
Nov 29, 2012, 6:55:13 AM11/29/12
to
On Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:50:02 +0000, "Tim+"
<timdow...@nospampleaseyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>Given that taking a unilateral decision to inform the electricity company of
>the problem might well make my daughter persona non grata within the flat,
>what should she do?
I bought a house about 30 years ago. When I tried to read the
<timdow...@nospampleaseyahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>Given that taking a unilateral decision to inform the electricity company of
>the problem might well make my daughter persona non grata within the flat,
>what should she do?
electricity meter it was obviously stopped by some metal bar stuck
through its side. I called the local board. Three weeks later an
engineer arrived to change the meter. He commented that I had had
three weeks for free. There was no charge. Metering started when the
meter was change. I suppose the same rules apply to any property,
bought or rented.
Steve
--
EasyNN-plus. Neural Networks plus. http://www.easynn.com
SwingNN. Forecast with Neural Networks. http://www.swingnn.com
JustNN. Just Neural Networks. http://www.justnn.com
John
Nov 29, 2012, 9:20:02 PM11/29/12
to
On Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:45:02 +0000, Laurence Taylor
<see-h...@nospam.plus.com> wrote:
>Is this the only meter for the premises? It may be that the landlord's
>meter is being read, and paid for, and the prepayment meter was
>installed by the landlord (who is allowed to set his own rate, within
>limits).
Not true. The Landlord can only resell at the priice he pays, plus a
<see-h...@nospam.plus.com> wrote:
>Is this the only meter for the premises? It may be that the landlord's
>meter is being read, and paid for, and the prepayment meter was
>installed by the landlord (who is allowed to set his own rate, within
>limits).
proportion per tenant towards the standing charge.
--
John
John
Nov 29, 2012, 9:30:05 PM11/29/12
to
On Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:15:01 +0000, paul george
<paul...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>On Tuesday, 27 November 2012 16:03:36 UTC, Tim+ wrote:
>> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
>>
>> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
>>
>> 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
>>
>> there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
>>
>>
>
>You are wrong about that. Prepayment meters are read.
>The meter does not know when there is a rate increase so even prepayment
>accounts go into arrears.
They do nowadays. Most meters are reloaded with a key that is updated
<paul...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>On Tuesday, 27 November 2012 16:03:36 UTC, Tim+ wrote:
>> My daughter has recently moved into a flat which has a prepayment
>>
>> electricity meter that's broken. The credit has apparently been stuck at
>>
>> 50p for months and months and the landlord knows about it. Being prepayment
>>
>> there's no one coming from the electricity company to read the meter.
>>
>>
>
>You are wrong about that. Prepayment meters are read.
>The meter does not know when there is a rate increase so even prepayment
>accounts go into arrears.
at the time you add more electric on it.
--
John
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