neighbour on at me to keep my heating on

[clovissa]

We've just rented a house, been in a couple of weeks. We have the main house and the back half of the basement. The front half of the basement is a one-bed flat. The night we moved in the switch tripped and we found out the switches are in the other flat, but there is a key over the connecting door, so we're to knock, then let ourselves in if there's no reply. He's an oldish guy, seems nice.

Now it turns out we share all utilities with him. This was never mentioned before, they apply a ratio.

He has been up twice now because we haven't got the heating on and he's cold. He wants us to put it on and then turn down all our radiators if we don't need them on. It's a bit of a jig as we have four floors and are in all day.

He also said our tumble drier was going to run the bills up and he's very careful. I've told him not to worry, we will make sure his bills don't go up but arch.

Also, someone I know nothing about has a key to enter our house. Isn't that a bit weird ?

Stayed in a place like this with shared central heating. It was in Boston. The rent included the heating costs and electricity, as there were no separate meters.

If I were you, I would create a bit of a stink and try to either get an all inclusive deal or a reduction in rent and pay for all utilities myself, so the old guy doesn't have to pay anything or a very nominal monthly charge to you. Otherwise the old guy, who probably has nothing much to do all day, will be fretting about his potential bills every month, and so will you, on his behalf.

Does sound an unusual set-up to say the least! However we gave a spare key to our next door neighbour shortly after moving in so don't see that bit as a big deal. It's entirely possible he doesn't actually have a key to your door as although you need to go into his flat to access the fusebox, presumably he has no reason To go into yours?

Can you sit down with him and look at his last few fuel bills and agree a sensible amount for him to pay going forward (then factor in changes in fuel prices as and when)? That should stop him worrying. And yes speak to the landlord again about splitting the supplies. Thing is if you ate getting a good deal rent-wise it might not be worth moving out over this.

Could you get British gas in to quote for separating the supplies? Might not be as much as the landlord imagines.

Good luck!

I had a flat for a while where the only thing we shared was the internet. It was fine at first but the having to knock everytime it needed rebooting was a pain in the arse for both of us. We got on well but it was still a nuisance!

Flatbread why didn't I think of that! Great idea, he is clearly a sensible type. ALthough I suppose once he knows he isn't paying he might really ramp it up. It's just a one bed flat though. I will def speak to the LL about that.

Lilbreeze, same idea, v. useful advice. I was thinking a lot could be resolved after the first bill, but actually the LL must have had the bills before and can show what part corresponds to neighbour.

I assumed he had a key to ours because he is on the other side of the same door but actually I'm being dim aren't I - it could be locked and only we have the key on our side. He has his front door of course.

I don't think he would bother us at all if he didn't need to. He seems a peaceful quiet chap.

It's still a serioulsy wierd situation. If it isn't properly legal, then what rights would you have if the LL suddenly wanted you out?? Just for peace of mind i would have a chat with CAB.

Sounds like this could become a nightmare - were you told about the arrangements before you took the tenancy? You have only been there a few weeks and already you are worrying about things (even if you are not concious of it at the moment it is at the back of your mind).

Whose name is on the electricity bills? If it is not you, you have no control over your supplier or tariff, so how do you know you are on the best deal?

How are the other utilities split? Gas (if you have it) and water?

If we were in this position I would be looking to get the LL to separate completely the supplies or alternatively, if they were not willing to do that, we would be moving asap and expecting the LL to cover any costs incurred due to their misleading marketing/renting of the property.

If the property was empty before you moved in how was he heating the house then?

Have you read through the rental agreement? This sounds like it would be in breach of it to be honest. I would be having words with the agent if the landlord is making light of the situation and blaming his sister. Passing the buck in my book.

It sound like you are paying your landlords a lot of money - surely they can use a month's rent to fit a seperate heating system, move the fuse box and block the adjoining door. What his flippin sister wants is immaterial really - they have rented you a house and it needs to be your home exclusively. You pay them money and they provide it - thats the deal.

Sairy, how would it help the LL get us out?

Bills are in our name, I assume we submit them to the LL and he tells us how much of it we pay. I'll check with him.

The house was empty for a couple of weeks before we moved in because they painted etc.

I always know when my neighbour is using her tumble dryer because it sounds like a WWII bomber during take off.

This 'arrangement' sounds to me like it could easily end up with BIG and tedious arguments over each and every utility bill- who used most, who should pay what etc etc. Just like living in a student house all over again.

You do sound incredibly naive..

stuff the landlords sister - he needs to sort this out. it's a one-off expense that will make the property liveable for the tenant...

I would complain to the agent who let the property.

Well I was just thinking if it wasn't a properly legal agreement - which obviously, I don't know but it sounds a bit odd - then it may break down entirely when it comes to your protection. Just a thought really, I'd want to be doubly sure .

I prefer to call it optimistic squeaky .

I think it could turn out to be a nightmare, or it could be fine. I'm going to run flatbread/lilibreeze's idea past the landlord, I'm seeing him this week. Aside from this he has been faultless about everything in the house.

Mutt, I don't think he has the key, i was being dim, the key is on our side of the door.

the old man is probably the landlords father or some weird kind of uncle... it all sounds like the basis to some sort of movie to me

I find your 'Well, he could be a perv, but he seems a normal sort of chap' view a bit strange as well. He probably is a normal sort of chap, but then pervs, nutters, weirdos and generally annoying neighbours don't come with a great big neon sign above their heads!

I'm all for a bit of common sense and not seeing a paedo or perv or someone with issues on every corner BUT you're not entirely certain as to whether he has a key to your flat (as you do to his) and you don't know him from Adam. He has the ability to turn your electricity on and off at will (if he decides you've had the tumble dryer on one time too many this week, or your teenager has his stereo on a bit too loud, too late in the evening for his liking). What's to stop him sticking a cupboard or something in front of his side of the connecting doorway?

The other thing is, if he's not in and you need to go into his flat to reset the electricity switch, what's to stop him making accusations about things going missing or damage being done to his home?

It seems like a bonkers set up to me. Absolutely bonkers. As an aside to all of this, I still don't get why you'd have burglar alarms but not use them, whilst having no contents insurance.

So you're going to talk to the landlord but aren't actually going to demand he sort out separate supplies?

I think that is a mistake. The time to get this sorted is now. If you leave it and there are problems it will be much harder to sort out.

Squeaky yes, he does himself to himself...perhaps I should preemptively murder him in his bed, sort things out once and for all

I am so overwhelmed by other areas of my life that I can't really see this as that serious. It might be absolutely FINE.

'It would be an impossible situation for me. Do you have children? He could be a perv!'

Words fail me. What a horrid thing to say.

But equally it might not be fine - the time to get this sorted out properly is now, not six months down the line, because then you could be seen as having accepted it as the status quo.

What does your DH think about the situation?

I have to agree that you are sounding very naive about the whole situation and are burying your head in the sand about what could go wrong with this whole set up - it could end up being a very costly situation for you in the long run (both financially and emotionally).

Why don't you have contents insurance? You've been asked this several times, but not bothered to reply!