Gas / electricity query while renting

Katsumoto47 · 04-12-2015 6:25pm #1

Hi.

My partner and I recently moved into an apartment building. We set up the electricity which was fine and our first bill was as expected

However our letting agent has an agreement with a local gas supplier who provides the gas for the whole building. We got a monthly bill for gas of around 85 euro which we were stunned as we never turn the heat on. So that's 85 euro for showers and washing dishes in the evening. They also told us we cant change has suppliers which sounds like bollocks. Surely if we pay the suppliers we can choose the suppliers?

85 euro a month for showers for two people seems insane. We think the letting agents are splitting one big bill for the whole building.

TheChizler · 04-12-2015 6:27pm

What does the lease say? Do you have a gas appliance in your apartment or is hot water just supplied?

Lux23 · 04-12-2015 6:28pm

That would strike me as anti-competitive, did they give you any reason as to why they have a deal with the local gas company? Maybe give the Competitin and Consumer Protection Commission a call, they will probably be able to give you a steer on what you can do. CCPC.ie

K.Flyer · 04-12-2015 6:29pm

By any chance is your apt block Island Key?

Katsumoto47 · 04-12-2015 6:34pm

K.Flyer wrote: »

By any chance is your apt block Island Key?

In letterkenny Donegal

Katsumoto47 · 04-12-2015 6:35pm

TheChizler wrote: »

What does the lease say? Do you have a gas appliance in your apartment or is hot water just supplied?

We have a gas box in the house for heating water and heaters.

Nothing in the lease about it

K.Flyer · 04-12-2015 6:39pm

Do you have your own separate Gas meter?
If you do, then you should only be charged for the units of gas used and standing charges.
You should also be able to change your energy supplier, provided your not on a communal system

TheChizler · 04-12-2015 6:43pm

Katsumoto47 wrote: »

We have a gas box in the house for heating water and heaters.

Nothing in the lease about it

I'd get some suppliers and see if they have your property listed, if they do, and there's nothing preventing you changing in your agreement with the landlord, they shouldn't be able to stop you changing. You might annoy them though.

Edit: Actually just realized GNI don't have a network in Donegal so you may be stuck unfortunately, they must be using one of the LPG supplier and I doubt individual apartments are metered separately.