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Electricity reconnection costs
Hi,
I just moved into my flat in Brussels a month ago... And my landlord is asking me to pay the electricity reconnection cost (not to mention the charges for August 2014 which was based on the consumption of the previous tenant).
My agent told me that the reconnection cost should be borne or paid for by my landlord. I told my landlord this but he has not responded. Is there a law or regulation I can cite? The deadline for the payment is just a few days away and I don't want to have to do deal with Electrabel... etc. I am also hesitant about paying the exorbitantly high bill for August... Is there a way around this? I am living on my own but why do I have to pay costs equivalent to the consumption of a family.
Hoping for your advice. Thanks!
It shouldn't have been disconnected. There is a form for moving and a transfer form. The old tenant fills out the info and you fill out your info and you sign. The you ask Electrabel for a lower intermediate bill. We did this online and super simple. But we didn't have a connection cost as did the transfer for with previous occupant of the house. We then switched to ENI and saved hundreds a year.
I don't know about this specific situation, but I did need to call Electrabel yesterday about an issue with our bill and dealt with a very helpful English-speaking representative. You could try contacting them directly.
Siomah350, what is ENI?
When a property becomes vacant the previous tenant/owner remains responsible for paying the bills until a new tenant/owner takes over that responsibility otherwise the supply will be disconnected.
When the property is 'to let' but the landlord has no new tenant to take the place over, the standard situation is that he takes over the responsibility until a new tenant is found. The landlord pays for usage, if any, whilst the place is empty but this avoids the charge for disconnecting and reconnecting the supply.
If the billing is still under the landlord's name, the implication has to be that he has done just that and is now trying to get you to pay for a reconnection that has never been done.
Two things that you can do:
Ask Electrabel for confirmation that the supply was disconnected and reconnected. If a reconnection has been made, the date of it should prove that it cannot have been your responsibility.
Explain to them that you are a single person living alone and ask for a lower bill. They should do this without hassle though it is in your interests to check your consumption from time to time to avoid a huge bill in a year's time.
Always choose the Dutch option when speaking to them and you will find someone happy to deal with you in English.
ENI is another electricity company. Don't know if you have the option, but have been very happy with them.
Your landlord sorry to says sound a bit shady. Goodluck
> billing is still under my landlord's name. He promised to have it transferred to my name.
Contact Electrabel, give them a meter reading, and transfer the bill to your name.
You will only be liable from then on.
It is YOUR responsibility to do this - the readings should have been taken at the état des Lieux d'entrée.
You are only liable for the electricity used when the bill is in your name.
If your name is not on it, ignore it - it's not your problem.
Anne, as you are renting you can join the huurdersbond / syndicat des locataires. It doesn't cost much and they will help you sort this out with your landlord - you shouldn't be paying a bill that's not in your name. They give legal advice and will support you, not your landlord. They'll also be very useful when you come to move out as your landlord sounds like a difficult one.
I hope you get everything sorted soon. Good luck.
