[kitten]

Thought I might post an update on this thread…  Just for interest and in case it can help anyone in the future. 🙂

We have gone through the process, jumped through the hoops and tribunal has found in our favor-  The landlord was ordered to pay back (as rent credit) all of our previous electricity bills and we will no longer be paying any electricity until the hot water cylinder is on a separate meter.  

Great relief!  Thanks so much to everyone for your input.  There were a few really helpful comments in here!  

[kitten]

Whale- Thank you!  That’s an idea I hadn’t thought of just yet.  Will definitely pursue that avenue if I can’t get this claim to stick

Kiwipaul-  That second link is exactly what I was looking for!  Thanks!  

Now to call that electrician…

[kitten]

Thanks everyone.  

We have already established that there is only one hot water supply, but the owner does not believe that this is a problem as the properties are ‘separately metered’ (even if incorrectly)

The two properties supplied by the hot water system are also managed by different agents so cutting off hot water to one will not get get any message through to my agent!

I need to know how to argue to tribunal that because the properties are metered, but metered incorrectly, that the argument of separate metering is invalid- so that they find I am not responsible for ANY electricity charges. 

A tenancy advocate has also recommended to me that I contract an electrician or plumber to write me a letter saying that I am paying for all hot water charges.  Sounds like it might be an expensive exercise and I am frustrated that that cost falls on me!  (as the tribunal has said the onus on me to prove that something dodgy is going on…)

[kitten]

I am in a similar situation…!  (My hot water cylinder supplies hot water for 6 other tenants…!)  I am very interested to hear what your agent came up with for an explanation and what happened.  🙂

[Author]

Replies