Electric disconnected at new commercial property
Discussion
Hi all,
Just after a bit of advice please.
Ofgen have told me they cannot help as 'each company has it's own legislation'.
Completed on a commercial property 18.2.22. The electric has been 'de-energised' due to non-payment by the previous owner. Unfortunately, the electric is supplied by Opus energy who have told me I have to pay £4 a day standing charge for a dead service (out of contract rate) because 'the cable is still going into the property' and their meter team say they cannot say when the meter will have the fuse put back in 'due to events in Russia and the Ukraine putting extreme demands on their services'.
I will also have to pay a reconnection charge but nobody can tell me what that will be as it depends on 'factors and circumstances'.
So, my question is legally do I have to pay a full £4/day standing charge for an essentially 'dead' service as well as a reconnection service? It seems like double bubble to me. Also, is there a reasonable time limit rather than me being simply at the mercy of Opus energy who are taking £4 a day in the meantime to tell me its down to 'circumstances and factors'? As mentioned, Ofgen say they can't help. Opus have said once I get the bill I can raise a complaint if I wish. I will do that but what would the law consider reasonable? I cannot open the business without power.
Thanks all.
Just after a bit of advice please.
Ofgen have told me they cannot help as 'each company has it's own legislation'.
Completed on a commercial property 18.2.22. The electric has been 'de-energised' due to non-payment by the previous owner. Unfortunately, the electric is supplied by Opus energy who have told me I have to pay £4 a day standing charge for a dead service (out of contract rate) because 'the cable is still going into the property' and their meter team say they cannot say when the meter will have the fuse put back in 'due to events in Russia and the Ukraine putting extreme demands on their services'.
I will also have to pay a reconnection charge but nobody can tell me what that will be as it depends on 'factors and circumstances'.
So, my question is legally do I have to pay a full £4/day standing charge for an essentially 'dead' service as well as a reconnection service? It seems like double bubble to me. Also, is there a reasonable time limit rather than me being simply at the mercy of Opus energy who are taking £4 a day in the meantime to tell me its down to 'circumstances and factors'? As mentioned, Ofgen say they can't help. Opus have said once I get the bill I can raise a complaint if I wish. I will do that but what would the law consider reasonable? I cannot open the business without power.
Thanks all.
Geffg said:
I’m curious to know what the war with Russia and Ukraine has got to do with opus energy and it’s workers?
Typical of suppliers making money out of nothing.
Opus is owned by Drax Group, who are both significant importers and users of Russian biomass.Typical of suppliers making money out of nothing.
For obvious reasons that stopped recently.
I also don't see how that affects reconnection, for the record.
Toaster Pilot said:
Opus are the absolute worst 
s I’ve ever had the pleasure* of dealing with. Switch away from them ASAP, you’ve got every right to do so. I’m sure you could find a new supplier willing to connect you as part of the switch.
Every supplier I have contacted have said they cannot switch a de-energised account. Opus have to reconnect it first.s I’ve ever had the pleasure* of dealing with. Switch away from them ASAP, you’ve got every right to do so. I’m sure you could find a new supplier willing to connect you as part of the switch. Vron said:
Toaster Pilot said:
Opus are the absolute worst s I’ve ever had the pleasure* of dealing with. Switch away from them ASAP, you’ve got every right to do so. I’m sure you could find a new supplier willing to connect you as part of the switch.
Every supplier I have contacted have said they cannot switch a de-energised account. Opus have to reconnect it first.s I’ve ever had the pleasure* of dealing with. Switch away from them ASAP, you’ve got every right to do so. I’m sure you could find a new supplier willing to connect you as part of the switch. Also you say they have removed fuses? Might be easy to get some and get it back on.
Edited by megaphone on Monday 7th March 12:33
megaphone said:
How do other suppliers know is has been cut-off? Is it on the database or are you telling them?
Also you say they have removed fuses? Might be easy to get some and get it back on.
I think it does get recorded on the MPAN database as de-energised. Also you say they have removed fuses? Might be easy to get some and get it back on.
Edited by megaphone on Monday 7th March 12:33
Seems you might well be stuck with these s
ts Opus until they turn you back on too. Cut out fuses are available to buy readily - of course it would be illegal to re-energise your own supply so definitely don’t do that.
Vron said:
Hi all,
Just after a bit of advice please.
Ofgen have told me they cannot help as 'each company has it's own legislation'.
Completed on a commercial property 18.2.22. The electric has been 'de-energised' due to non-payment by the previous owner. Unfortunately, the electric is supplied by Opus energy who have told me I have to pay £4 a day standing charge for a dead service (out of contract rate) because 'the cable is still going into the property' and their meter team say they cannot say when the meter will have the fuse put back in 'due to events in Russia and the Ukraine putting extreme demands on their services'.
I will also have to pay a reconnection charge but nobody can tell me what that will be as it depends on 'factors and circumstances'.
So, my question is legally do I have to pay a full £4/day standing charge for an essentially 'dead' service as well as a reconnection service? It seems like double bubble to me. Also, is there a reasonable time limit rather than me being simply at the mercy of Opus energy who are taking £4 a day in the meantime to tell me its down to 'circumstances and factors'? As mentioned, Ofgen say they can't help. Opus have said once I get the bill I can raise a complaint if I wish. I will do that but what would the law consider reasonable? I cannot open the business without power.
Thanks all.
As an aside, how long has it been de-energised. IIRC, if >6 months, you may have to get the whole installation tested to current regs in order to be reconnected.Just after a bit of advice please.
Ofgen have told me they cannot help as 'each company has it's own legislation'.
Completed on a commercial property 18.2.22. The electric has been 'de-energised' due to non-payment by the previous owner. Unfortunately, the electric is supplied by Opus energy who have told me I have to pay £4 a day standing charge for a dead service (out of contract rate) because 'the cable is still going into the property' and their meter team say they cannot say when the meter will have the fuse put back in 'due to events in Russia and the Ukraine putting extreme demands on their services'.
I will also have to pay a reconnection charge but nobody can tell me what that will be as it depends on 'factors and circumstances'.
So, my question is legally do I have to pay a full £4/day standing charge for an essentially 'dead' service as well as a reconnection service? It seems like double bubble to me. Also, is there a reasonable time limit rather than me being simply at the mercy of Opus energy who are taking £4 a day in the meantime to tell me its down to 'circumstances and factors'? As mentioned, Ofgen say they can't help. Opus have said once I get the bill I can raise a complaint if I wish. I will do that but what would the law consider reasonable? I cannot open the business without power.
Thanks all.
In my case in the past, that meant installing a switchfuse and a single 63A ceeform socket. Once the supply was reconnected, the switchfuse was used to feed the old consumer unit
Finally got an answer from Opus for the reconnection fee : £408.52 as it is a job that someone has to come out to to do, plus an additional £500 deposit that is refundable to me if (when) I switch supplier. The fee grates me as it is a 10 min job, but what grates me more is the £500 security deposit as if I am a bad debtor like the previous tenant.
They do not seem to understand I am the new owner, not a tenant.
I've had a look online and I can only find one price from SSE for putting the fuse back in which is £165.
So, is the £408.52 reasonable or are Opus taking the piss? I understand from Ofgem the price has to be 'reasonable to reflect the time taken to do the job'.
Are they entitled to take a £500 bond when I have no choice but to use them before I can escape? They will not send me their terms and conditions - do they put the £500 in a deposit scheme? Nobody will say.
They do not seem to understand I am the new owner, not a tenant.
I've had a look online and I can only find one price from SSE for putting the fuse back in which is £165.
So, is the £408.52 reasonable or are Opus taking the piss? I understand from Ofgem the price has to be 'reasonable to reflect the time taken to do the job'.
Are they entitled to take a £500 bond when I have no choice but to use them before I can escape? They will not send me their terms and conditions - do they put the £500 in a deposit scheme? Nobody will say.
Vron said:
I’m not in a contract with them hence the £4 a day standing charge.
I think you'll find you are on a "deemed" contract.https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/ene...
"A deemed contract normally applies if you move into new business premises and don’t agree a contract. "
Nimby said:
Vron said:
I’m not in a contract with them hence the £4 a day standing charge.
I think you'll find you are on a "deemed" contract.https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/ene...
"A deemed contract normally applies if you move into new business premises and don’t agree a contract. "
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