Private Electric Meters

[Radio_man]

OK, there are 4 flats in my block, i rent the basement flat.

Each flat has a private electric meter which is hooked up to a central meter in a dissused property. We have to buy our electric tokens off the landlord, but he isnt paying the bills.

When i called british gas asking for my gas card, they notice that they supply electric to the property and wished to come out to change my meter.

When I told my landord this, I was told to refuse entry and if they were to change the meter, he would throw me out.

Now British Gas are investigating but have advised me to make a statement to the police.

I dont really want to do this as I have nowhere else to live! British Gas are saying they are going to come out any day and cut the supply so I am now getting really worried!!!

Am i breaking the law by buying the tokens? If I did make a statement to the police, where would this leave my tennancy?

[jackieandwayne]

No, you are not breaking the law by buying the tokens - this can be quite common in some types of private rented, such as LA homeless hostels etc, the tenants have to buy tokens from the caretaker.

What type of tenancy do you have? Your landlord cannot just throw you out, that would be illegal eviction - if you have an AST. But I do understand how intimidating this type of person can be. And of course the worry about homelessness.

What about the other residents in the building. Are they aware of what is going on? Do they know that they are facing no power? Can you all stand up together against this landlord?

If I were you (and I accept that I am very much bloody minded old me and NOT you!) I would get straight on to the local Housing Department's homeless unit and get them to sort this out for you, as well as trying to find you somewhere else to live. They should involve their Environmental Health dept, (safety), or you can do that yourself.

If you think about this, it cannot be allowed to happen - here you have a property with 5 flats, so there must be emergency lighting etc., on the stairs etc, also should have a fire alarm of some description. If the power is cut all these safety precautions go as well, (unless there is an emergency back up in place) people resort to candles, fires happen, and if you were to pop along to your local fire station and tell them about this as well, they'll help your landlord to see why he must pay his energy bills! Good lord, even the risk of a tumble down dark stairs is enough!

You could contact the British Gas Revenue people again and talk through this, and get them to explain exactly why they want you to report this to the police. I should also remind them very strongly of the recent tragedy in the block of flats in London where 6 people died in a fire - and if they cause any fire protection equipment to go down, or put residents in unnecessary danger, they too will be explaining themselves to both the fire brigade and the environmental health department.

I do hope you get this sorted out, if for nothing else, for your safety.

[Kentish Lass]

So the British Gas guy "noticed" that they supply the electricity too? So what!

I am rather puzzled as to why British Gas would threaten to cut the supply simply because they are not being permitted to change a meter? Do they want to change all the four private meters? It sounds bizarre to me. The only reason I can think of is that the landlord has the meters running so that the tenants are paying more than the actual cost of the electricity. This is a criminal offence and may be the reason they have told the tenant to contact the police.

Your landlord cannot throw you out - whatever he may be saying - he would have to give you a minimum of two months notice and then take you to court for possession which can take another month or so. Provided you are paying your rent, I doubt any judge would be too sympathetic to this kind of treatment.

You definitely need to get some proper advice about this situation - do as JackieandWayne suggest and contact the Local Housing Department and ask their advice.