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  Gas and Electricity bills

   

  Gas and Electricity charges? Who is responsible

  
  The following is provided to ensure that both landlord and tenant are aware and understand who is responsible for gas and electricity charges within any properties that are let.

  
  Who is responsible
  You are responsible for the bills and charges for any property that you own and occupy as well as those which are empty but also owned by you.

  
  If a property that you own is occupied by a tenant, then the tenancy agreement must specify who is responsible for paying the bills and detail the measures used to ensure this happens such as amending the names on bills and the use of direct debits where applicable.

  
  Utility providers will need to be notified by the new tenant of meter readings and move dates by telephone, in writing or online. Any previous charges relating to the property are the responsibility of the previous tenant.

  
  A utility bill containing multiple names places the responsibility of payment onto all those named even if only one person is paying the bill.
  Upon notification of vacancy the contract between tenant and supplier will cease. If there is no replacement tenant, then responsibility for payment reverts to the owner of the property.

  
  Contracts and Liability
  If an express contract with the gas or electricity supplier is entered into, the liability to pay will be with the customer who is the bill payer. The contract may be entered into, either, (usually) in writing or online and will incorporate the supplier’s standard terms and conditions. These will also make provision for when responsibility for payment ends – see further below.

  
  If there is no express contract, under the Electricity Code or Gas Code there may alternatively be a deemed contract. The Codes provide that where an electricity or gas supplier supplies electricity or gas to a property, otherwise than under an express contract, the supplier is treated as contracting with the occupier(or the owner of the property if it is unoccupied) for the supply as from the time when the supplier began to make the supply. In effect by taking a supply you become the bill payer even in the absence of a written request/agreement. The terms and conditions, of this deemed contract, will be laid down by each supplier in their own terms and conditions.

  
  Changes in responsibility
  A supplier’s terms and conditions will provide that the current bill payer will no longer be responsible for paying once they cease to occupy (or own) the property provided they give notice (usually two working days) before vacating.Otherwise, liability will terminate on (1) the date (usually two working days) after notification to a supplier of vacation (or of a new occupier)
            or

  (2) the date that electricity/gas is supplied to the property under a new contract (i.e. to someone else). This may be a new contract signed up with the supplier or it may be under a deemed contract as provided for by the Code because a new occupier (or the owner) has started to take a supply.

   

  

  by: tenancy solved uploaded July 31, 2018
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  Gas Safety Record

   

  Under Section 36 of the Gas Safety Installation and Use regulations 1998, all landlords must and are legally required to carry out a gas safety check by a recognised registered gas safety engineer each year and this should include:

   

  Repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances in a safe condition.

  Ensure an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue.

  Keep a record of each safety check.

   

  After a full inspection, the gas safety engineer should provide the tenant with a copy of the gas safety record to comply with the regulations.

  A copy of the Gas Safety Record must be given to both the tenant and the landlord at the start of the tenancy and within 28 days of the annual check. The landlord is also under obligation to keep his copy of the Gas Safety Record for 2 years.

   

  A minimum Gas Safety Record check must contain:

   

  A description of and the location of each appliance or flue checked.

  The name, registration number and signature of the individual carrying out the check.

  The date on which the appliance or flue was checked.

  The address of the property at which the appliance or flue is installed.

  The name and address of the landlord (or their agent where appropriate).

  Any safety-related defect identified, and any remedial action taken.

   

  Confirmation that the safety check has included an examination of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) of: Regulation 26(9) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

    

  Section 36 of the Gas Safety installation and use regulation 1998 does not specify a specific type of form to be use by the engineer to record details for a Gas Safety Record inspection. They can use their own record providing that they list all information listed below. The form could have these additional lines:

   

  The address of the premises at which the appliance or flue is installed.

  The Gas Safety Record.

  Any defect identified.

  Any remedial action taken.

   

  Confirmation that the checks undertaken comply with the requirements as stated below:

  Where a person performs work on a gas appliance he shall immediately thereafter examine;

   

  The effectiveness of any flue.

  The supply of combustion air.

  The operating pressure or heat input, or where necessary both.

   

  The name and signature of the individual carrying out the check and the registration number with which that individual, or his employer, is registered with the Gas Safe Register.

   

  

  by: tenancy solved uploaded February 2, 2018

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