The AST has said that utility is paid by the tenant. The flat is managed in a way that no one can change the energy supplier who has insisted to put our name (as landlord) into the energy invoices without the tenant’s name. Our tenant is therefore assumed that the bill is to be settled by us! The tenant is reluctant to pay after we have reminded the tenant and then the energy company has taken it to the debt collection agent against us - that’s really ironic! If we do not settle it for the tenant, we credit worthiness is going to be destroyed …
Do you think that it is legitimate for the energy company to address their invoices to the landlords? Do you think we can make a complaint to the Energy Ombusman in this case?
Write to the utility company with contract and tell them it’s tentant’s responsibility and give them meter readings
Your subject heading should be complaint in block capitals
Tell them you’ll take it to the ombudsman if they don’t rectify the situation immediately
If no luck then take it to the ombudsman
You have to complain to your provider first
They have two stage complaint process
If you are not happy with first reply ask to complain about the complaints team
Unless its an HMO or shared supply you should refuse to do this. I don’t know what you mean when you say no one can change the supplier. As a landlord you cannot prevent a tenant changing supplier. I think given the state you are in you need to pay the bill just now and claim back from the tenant.
Thank you! It’s a 20+ stories building block that no landlord and no resident can change the energy supplier, which might have a contract with the management company.
Is this just electricity or gas too? It sounds as though you have to charge a rent inclusive of utility costs in future. You may need to have a fair usage policy on this too.
It’s electricity only flat and utility is paid by tenant. Just the electricity provider is stuck with the management company and all the residents cannot use other provider. In case my tenant doesn’t pay the energy then we have to be responsible as the electricity provider insists to put the landlord’s name on the bill.
Yes, its not an ideal letting property by the sound of it. When you charge the electricity separately, if the tenant doesnt pay, you sue them using MCOL as long as the tenancy agreement says they are responsible. If its part of the rent, then you can evict them if they dont pay and also more easily claim it from their deposit
You should have informed the supplier of the change of occupant together with the closing readings for you / the last tenant and the new tenant is responsible for the bills from the date of their tenancy using the relevant readings on that day.
The issue over the company supplying the utility is also irrelevant to the issue of who holds the account and pays the bill.
It is my understanding that the account holder is entitled by law to choose which provider they desire, it is their account and as such their supply for the duration of their occupancy.
100% agreed - it may be due to the bonding between the management company and the energy company so we cannot change it. I am taking action to make a complaint to the energy company and then follow by the regulator. Thanks
The supply of the electricity for the whole building (more than 20 stories) is managed by the management company which has assigned it to a broker that all residents have no option to use any other supplier. It seems odd but that’s the reality. I am making a complaint to them (about the use of the landlord’s name) before I can file a complaint to OFGEM.
No it’s not legal, they are simply bullying the leaseholders / tenants, probably to gain their own loyalty / referral rewards.
But that is a side issue, the main concern, it appears, is who’ is liable for the bill, and I assume each unit has a meter so there should be no dispute over the readings at check in, or am I missing something…!