Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Squealey on 20 December 2010, 22:42:17
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I moved house about 4-5 weeks back as we had some drug dealing scum for neighbours and I just refuse to allow my kids to be brought up where it is so brazen. Its quite easy for me to move as I have to rent (lost my house when I was made redundent a couple of years back)
Moved to a little village with a house on the main high street, 4 beds, 3 story plus a cellar, huge kitchen/diner the works. We really love the house and we especially love the village its in but the best thing is the rental price, £600pcm, £200 less than we were paying.
This euphoria lasted for all of 5 days. The previous tenant had to have a pre pay gas meter fitted which we can not have removed due to our poor credit rating. It is costing us £11 per DAY to heat our house, £11!!!!
We used to pay £82 per month so any savings on rent are now much more than completely wiped out.
I realise that we are paying for exactly what we are using and if we had a standard meter the monthly amount would equal out over the whole year, but this just isnt funny. It really is going to have a huge effect on our christmas this year, and I know that it wont be long before we literally cannot afford to heat the place, then what happens??? I have two babies plus two teen daughters to look after!
Have tried speaking to our supplier who says everyone is in the same boat and theres nothing they can do, thanks! Have also spoke to a competitor who has offered to remove it if we pay a deposit of £300! This is our only viable option that we can see but we wont have £300 spare till the end of Feb (as we cant save anything due to putting it all on the current meter :(.
Has anyone out there been in the same boat and have any suggestions? Things like put on more clothes, turn the temp down by 2 degrees etc etc are not the sort of answers im needing right now.
The house is nigh on 300 years old and very draughty. My father and I have done our level best to eradicate as many draughts as is possible!
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By the way, the boiler is less than 2 years old and the only other gas thing is the hob.
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I can only suggest a few things.....
Firstly, £600 for what you have described is a bloody good price. We also rent, (wife and I both earn peanuts on paper, and don't have £50'000 spare for a deposit).
In the best we had found a great house that had a gas meter, and every firm we spoke to point blank refused to remove it. if you have found one that does, then that great news!
I can only suggest trying the following;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Draft-excluders-made-Laura-Ashley-fabrics-/370462885421?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Cushions_Throws_LE&hash=item56414f062d
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-PERFECT-3-x-PACK-FOAM-DRAUGHT-EXCLUDERS-IDEAL-/290488272141?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&hash=item43a273450d
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Draught-Excluders-Windows-and-Doors-4-5m-Rolls-/190467640622?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&var=&hash=item7216c313fc
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-DOOR-BASE-DRAUGHT-EXCLUDERS-ALUMINIUM-/200556557788?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&hash=item2eb21a35dc
Hope this helps?
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CAnt help with the amount used,but if you have babies the gas/eletric company can not refuse you a non pay as you go metre(free of charge),Your childrens needs comes before there profits
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I realise that we are paying for exactly what we are using and if we had a standard meter the monthly amount would equal out over the whole year
Not that this helps, but I don't think that's really true - from what I recall the tariffs on coin meters (ok, cards, these days) are a lot higher than pre- or post-pay contracts..
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I can only suggest a few things.....
Firstly, £600 for what you have described is a bloody good price. We also rent, (wife and I both earn peanuts on paper, and don't have £50'000 spare for a deposit).
In the best we had found a great house that had a gas meter, and every firm we spoke to point blank refused to remove it. if you have found one that does, then that great news!
I can only suggest trying the following;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Draft-excluders-made-Laura-Ashley-fabrics-/370462885421?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Cushions_Throws_LE&hash=item56414f062d
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-PERFECT-3-x-PACK-FOAM-DRAUGHT-EXCLUDERS-IDEAL-/290488272141?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&hash=item43a273450d
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Draught-Excluders-Windows-and-Doors-4-5m-Rolls-/190467640622?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&var=&hash=item7216c313fc
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-DOOR-BASE-DRAUGHT-EXCLUDERS-ALUMINIUM-/200556557788?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&hash=item2eb21a35dc
Hope this helps?
thanks for all that, very much appriciated, i'll give them a look!
I know that £600 a month is so very cheap, I would be paying closer to £2k a month in Hemel (where I previously lived) but its cheap because its on a main road and has zero garden, that is the going rate in this area (hence the reason we 'emigrated' from Hemel)
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Squealey, i'm sorry for the situation you are in mate, & unfortunately don't know enough about the ins & outs of meters to comment, but I think you may be eligible for a special reduced gas tariff? It would be well worth while having a google for some more informed info &/or speaking to your supplier about it? :-/
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CAnt help with the amount used,but if you have babies the gas/eletric company can not refuse you a non pay as you go metre(free of charge),Your childrens needs comes before there profits
But unfortunately they can and will insist on a deposit
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I realise that we are paying for exactly what we are using and if we had a standard meter the monthly amount would equal out over the whole year
Not that this helps, but I don't think that's really true - from what I recall the tariffs on coin meters (ok, cards, these days) are a lot higher than pre- or post-pay contracts..
I think your right, thats what everyone says anyway. Apparantly its because the servicing costs are higher to the suppying companys (yeah right)
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Prepay meter. Have you had it RESET as you moved in.
These are aloso used to recover debt, You need to have your own account and KEY card. Just had a friend set one up last week, gave them a code over the phone to take to the post office to get a leccy key, new key went in, reset/cancelled all outstanding recovery debt from previous person and set the tarrifs for them to use.
Then can after 12 months resort to a normal meter. :y
If you have not had a reset then sadly all cresut added was paying off the previous tennents debt. :-/
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Try having a word with Citizens Advice - well worth a phone call
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Squealey, i'm sorry for the situation you are in mate, & unfortunately don't know enough about the ins & outs of meters to comment, but I think you may be eligible for a special reduced gas tariff? It would be well worth while having a google for some more informed info &/or speaking to your supplier about it? :-/
I would happily stand corrected but I am not aware of any reduced tariffs for families with young children or unable to pay, for whatever reason....... I do know families who have to switch off the central heating and just have the fire in the lounge...... :( :( Only the elderly get a heating allowance....
Mr Scrunts makes a very valid point, check it out.... :y
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Just to add - make a note of your meter readings weekly, for example, along with the cost so you know what you are paying. :y
Kevin
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If the meter hasn't been reset since you moved in, don't worry as such about losing money. You must have been given a key (card) to buy credit on, yes ??? The money you put on will go on your account, but the meter will need resetting to remove any debt from the previous person !!! I would ring ya supplier and say you want to pay by Direct Debt, they shud jump to take it out for ya !!!
Good luck :y
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Heard a story last year regards excessive electric use.
Electric board came out, checked everything, seemed ok, but had a suspicion.
Told the guy to go out side when it got dark, check what lights were on thier house and thier 2 neighers. Then useing a mobile phone to phone thier house and get someone to turn the main power off. Lo and behold the neighber plunged into on part of the house. Powered up both houses were back to normal, did it once more to prove it without drawing attention.
They were in court within a month. :y
Worth checking your supply if you suspect the electric to be false at least.
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Im definitly not paying the previous tenants debt, I got a new card as I changed over to my previous supplier. When you insert the card it tells you the amount on the card, the amout of emergency you have used and the the amount of debt paid off. This is always a nominal 1p.
Come the end of Feb I will be going back to the supplier it was with when I moved in.
I just feel like everyone is ganging up on me at the moment, everyone wants to screw me to the wall as hard as they can. How much longer can we keep accepting all these price rises for essential services/products before we just say NO, I literally cannot afford it anymore?
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Following on from last night, I obviously don't know your personal circumstances squeeley, but something in one of these links may be of help. ;)
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&sqi=2&ved=0CDQQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.moneysupermarket.com%2Fgas-and-electricity%2Fswitching-faqs%2F&ei=nXIQTYWpIt2qhAfc8_G2Dg&usg=AFQjCNEDWnsBYxcilixu0o3r5k8BnnmrtQ
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.energychoices.co.uk%2Fsocial-tariffs.html&ei=nXIQTYWpIt2qhAfc8_G2Dg&usg=AFQjCNFUKVLDSXOU4fczZe-wyFUMyOPZvQ
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£600 rent /m for house that size :o
That would get you a studio flat around here, if your lucky! ;D
Like above, do you have your own key? Not previous tenants?
Possible these PAYG systems have had prices racked up in recent weather, could it be cheaper to run Electric oil based radiators? I've considered one for my flat :-/
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£600 rent /m for house that size :o
That would get you a studio flat around here, if your lucky! ;D
Like above, do you have your own key? Not previous tenants?
Possible these PAYG systems have had prices racked up in recent weather, could it be cheaper to run Electric oil based radiators? I've considered one for my flat :-/
Like I have said, I realise I pay a very low initial rent but it is honestly the norm round here.
If you get a chance have a look here:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E8296&minBedrooms=4&radius=5.0
That first one for £1250pcm is the same as you would pay for a basic 3 bed ex council house in my old home town Hemel Hempstead. The only problem is you would have to move to the back of beyond to get it!
Im sorry if im coming across as not being thankful for what I have because believe me I really am, I just have trouble getting my head round the fact that my gas bill has risen almost 400% overnight.
Thanks for all the advice so far people. :y :y :y
Wayne
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does seem a hell of a lot to be increased by...as for P A Y G meters on electric it makes about 80 p a year difference if you are on direct debit billing with a normal meter as aposed to a key meter..not sure anout gas..i inherited one when i brought my house :y
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£11 a day somthing is wrong there dose the meter have a name on it if it has A and B button press them at same time and see what number come up, mine is £3 a day and thats with the cooker & heating on for me coffee,,, needs card in to do the A-B. let us know.
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£11 a day somthing is wrong there dose the meter have a name on it if it has A and B button press them at same time and see what number come up, mine is £3 a day and thats with the cooker & heating on for me coffee,,, needs card in to do the A-B. let us know.
Hi Freecall666
I have put the card in and pressed A & B and this was the info displayed: 00816.358M3
The name on it is: Landis GYR+
Does that help?
Wayne
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£11 a day somthing is wrong there dose the meter have a name on it if it has A and B button press them at same time and see what number come up, mine is £3 a day and thats with the cooker & heating on for me coffee,,, needs card in to do the A-B. let us know.
Hi Freecall666
I have put the card in and pressed A & B and this was the info displayed: 00816.358M3
Does that help?
Wayne
hold on just check data bace
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it say that there is a dedt on the meter, will not say how much but should be able to find it if you put card in and press A a few times, its on meter dedt from 2001 thats all can find out. sorry need to get it removed from meter or it could be a mistake on there end.
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How on earth did you find that out then??? Brilliant.
But it does say (when you put the card in to top up) DEBT: £0.01p.
Does it load your usage and take the debt out that way then?
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Just put the card in and pressed A, it scrolls through: Balance: £15.26 (We put £20 on it at about 5pm today :'(), then it says Owed: £0.00, Then it says the number I just gave you. Cant find any further info than that.
Wayne
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I just have trouble getting my head round the fact that my gas bill has risen almost 400% overnight.
Although you have been in touch with your supplier who told you that 'everyone's in the same boat' did you ask them to explain what that meant in relation to your problem?
I would suggest contacting them again to ask them if that figure was indeed accurate - and should they suggest that it is - ask them to have the meter calibration checked.
As always keep records of any contact you make with them concerning the problem.
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it says it was ammended on the 25 november, that debt you mean is just cos of you card use when you have used the £5 credit, should try to keep off using it as when in dedt it makes it higher. would ring up your gas and find out what is going on with the meter and if there is debt on my accout why and when for, you have prof that you were not at the address when the debt was made and wont it remove from the meter. if they dont then go to CAB and tell them what they said last day for CAB is thursday, they not back untill 4 jan.
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I just have trouble getting my head round the fact that my gas bill has risen almost 400% overnight.
Although you have been in touch with your supplier who told you that 'everyone's in the same boat' did you ask them to explain what that meant in relation to your problem?
I would suggest contacting them again to ask them if that figure was indeed accurate - and should they suggest that it is - ask them to have the meter calibration checked.
As always keep records of any contact you make with them concerning the problem.
They said to swmbo that the typical daily usage for their customers at the moment is £7 and that although we are on the high side of that it is in no way excessive. She then ran through the reasons ours is more expensive (300yr old house, sash windows etc etc).
Wayne
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it says it was ammended on the 25 november, that debt you mean is just cos of you card use when you have used the £5 credit, should try to keep off using it as when in dedt it makes it higher. would ring up your gas and find out what is going on with the meter and if there is debt on my accout why and when for, you have prof that you were not at the address when the debt was made and wont it remove from the meter. if they dont then go to CAB and tell them what they said last day for CAB is thursday, they not back untill 4 jan.
I'll get Mrs Squealey to give them a call tomorrow (its in her name) and ask about that debt then.
Thanks ever so much for your help, top man!!!!
:y :y :y
Wayne
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have you had your letter saying what gas you will use for next year??
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have you had your letter saying what gas you will use for next year??
Not that im aware of, but we have only been here since mid November. Its possible we have but Mrs Squealey doesnt show me everything we get.
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well what company are you with?,,, and have you had the systerm check when you moved in??
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should be a letter saying it has been checked they last for a year and has to be done before any one moves in if not you are not coverd for losse's.
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Im with Eon, it was with British Gas when we moved in but we switched to our previous supplier. We are going to go back to BG at the end of Feb as they are the ones who have said they will remove the meter (for a £300 deposit)
Wayne
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and could have a leak in the boiler,, or any were on the line..
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I just have trouble getting my head round the fact that my gas bill has risen almost 400% overnight.
Although you have been in touch with your supplier who told you that 'everyone's in the same boat' did you ask them to explain what that meant in relation to your problem?
I would suggest contacting them again to ask them if that figure was indeed accurate - and should they suggest that it is - ask them to have the meter calibration checked.
As always keep records of any contact you make with them concerning the problem.
They said to swmbo that the typical daily usage for their customers at the moment is £7 and that although we are on the high side of that it is in no way excessive. She then ran through the reasons ours is more expensive (300yr old house, sash windows etc etc).
Wayne
If you have a feeling that the amount you're feeding this meter is excessive in relation to the amount of gas you're actually burning then I would be inclined to insist that they check the meter - irrespective of what their representative says.
Any assertions made by them regarding the inefficient energy rating of your house is speculative (as they're not there to assess it) and it's in their own interest to assure you that the figure you're spending, while high, falls within what they term as normal usage.
I wouldn’t be fobbed off by them as £11 odd per day seems excessive to me.
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and could have a leak in the boiler,, or any were on the line..
I have asked my landlord to have the boiler checked over which he is the process of getting done (the engineers are all a bit busy at the moment round here). But the system is only 2 years old. ( I realise the age is not an issue if somethings broke though)
Wayne
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If you have a feeling that the amount you're feeding this meter is excessive in relation to the amount of gas you're actually burning then I would be inclined to insist that they check the meter - irrespective of what their representative says.
Any assertions made by them regarding the inefficient energy rating of your house is speculative (as they're not there to assess it) and it's in their own interest to assure you that the figure you're spending, while high, falls within what they term as normal usage.
I wouldn’t be fobbed off by them as £11 odd per day seems excessive to me.
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I'l ask Mrs Squealey to ask them tomorrow if we can have it checked, but is this something they will charge us an obscene amount of money for if they find nothing wrong?
Wayne
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should of been done before you moved in, its the law if its not been done you should not use the gas at all he is in the wrong, councils have to do the same before any one moves in, safty for you and them,,, if he not had it done then he should pay for electric heating, heaters and the cost. until its been tested.
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I'l ask Mrs Squealey to ask them tomorrow if we can have it checked, but is this something they will charge us an obscene amount of money for if they find nothing wrong?
Wayne
I don't know Wayne but it would be sensible for her to ask when speaking to them.
If they do say that there is a fee to do this (and it's excessive) I would suggest that you contact you local CAB to establish what your rights are in this.
I'll be interested to know how you get on - good luck.
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there is a easy way to find a gas leak if not smelt, turn off all appliances (gas that use's electric) then turn the main gas valve off, leave off for 1/2 hour or so, then turn back on, if it hisses and re-pressure rises then there is a leak, debt on meter according to debt management, they can only put a £10 charge a week on any meter. so that should not be why your on £11 aday cost. so would look for a leak, or if some one is using your gas to, has been done before, same with electric. some one could of done it when the property was epmty..