Big increase in heating charge

Peter1

I live in a council one-bedroom flat. The heating is communal heating and the council has increased the amount that I have to pay for the heating by 60%.

I have been through stage 1 of the council’s complaint procedure because I have looked in the Internet and I have not found any evidence that there has not been an increase of 60% of the gas price last year. Moreover, nothing is stated in the tenancy agreement which says that the council can increase the charge of the heating how much it wishes

The council has replied to me that this increase is due to the high cost of energy and that it is necessary.

I would like to know on which grounds I can take up my complaint to stage 2 of the council’s complaint procedure and if there is a law which says that the Council can increase the charge of the heating how much it wishes without putting forward any evidence that the price of the gas has increased by 60% last year.

Moreover, this huge increase can cover a bad management from the Council

Carpy

That's ridiculous,i have communal heating and my payments have come down by £12 per month compared to last year.

Peter1

Moreover, what I need to know is what law or regulation regulate the increase that the council can imposed concerning gas charge. I think that there should be some law or regulation about this issue and that the council cannot impose the increase that it wishes.

This information will also be necessary if stage 2 of my complaint failed and I need to go to court

Holly_Scope

Hi @Peter1 I very much struggled to find any information on this situation, but 60% is extortionate! It might be worth having a chat to someone such as Advicelocal and if that fails, perhaps Turn2us or Housing - Citizens Advice. I'm so sorry I can't be more helpful with this. It's something I've not come across before. I really hope you're able to get this resolved because surely that can't be a manageable increase for anybody.

Passerby

Since you've said "The heating is communal", what are the other tenants saying? You would need to make a collective complaint.

Peter1

I do not know what the others tenants are thinking about this very big increase because I have not asked them but I suppose they do not like it.

Moreover, all tenants are elderlies so maybe they do not understand

I am trying to find the tenants association so that to contact them so that to make a collective complaint through them

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Peter1, It may also be worth speaking to your local councillors or even your MP.

They can often have a look at issues like this and see if they can find out whether anything can be done.

Find your local councillors - GOV.UK

Find your MP - MPs and Lords - UK Parliament