Gas and Electricity Bills when property is vacant

I recently had an IP in Sydney vacant for two months. After reducing the rent and doing some general cleanup, we found new tenants. After the new tenant moved in, they setup Energy services with Origin. Then AGL sends an invoice to the property requesting a payment of about $83 and $75 for Electricity and Gas for the vacant period. The tenant rightfully flicked this to the PM, and the PM flicked this to me asking I pay these bills towards AGL. I have had my properties vacant before, but never recall receiving an invoice for the vacant period. Besides no one was living at this property, in the 2 months which could explain these bills. Sure the PM would have turned the lights on, during open houses. But I can't understand the gas usage as it's only used for cooking in the house. Should I dispute this?

 

It's a mystery. Don't bother to dispute, but make sure the gas is not leaking.

 

Is it gas usage or gas supply charge? If gas remains connected you will have daily charges for this.

I generally only leave electricity connected (or arrange a connection) and disconnect gas services.

 

Was there a pilot light left on, plus supply charge.

 

I am positive there's no gas leakage, as the stove is new, plus if there was gas leakage the 'smell' would have been obvious.

 

I rechecked the bill and there is a daily supply charge of $0.64, amounting to $40.96, the rest is for usage. But I never had a contract with AGL it was the previous tenant. The bill is addressed to "Energy consumer", neither to me or to the previous tenant.

 

I am not sure where this light is, besides I have new tenants at this property now.

 

I couldn't be sure, but I am assuming they did as the bills are not addressed to them.

 

Strange that there would be usage. It could be a day or two prior to the old tenant vacating/new tenant coming in thus usage, or a pilot light on a gas heater/water service. Otherwise just because AGL wanted

If it's not under your name or previous tenants, I don't think they can really enforce payment. I'm no expert though.

 

If the account is not held in your name, you don't need to pay the supplier. Simple.

 

Curious to know, why they would want the previous tenant's details, if the bill was not addressed to the previous tenant but "to the consumer" ?

 

I suspect what happened is that AGL didn't actually send anyone to check the meter when the tenant moved out as it was out of cycle or maybe they couldn't access the meter as the tenant wasn't there when they came.

The old tenant moved out and cancelled. AGL gave them a final bill they produced based on their modeling - not actual reading. This is common practice when utilities can't access the meter: THEY MAKE IT UP! Then they adjust the difference next time or whenever they can get access to the meter. Once I have a $500 higher gas bill because they had made up the bill for months - the tenant was always out when they were visiting.

I should also say that just because you ring up to disconnect the utility they don't physically disconnect anything which is why your electricity and gas worked on those 2 months. It's only disconnected on their system. When the new tenant signed up with a different provider 2 months later they had to complete a real measurement this time and give a final bill to someone -except the utility was in no ones name. If the new tenants had stayed with AGL, They would have most likely inherited the extra charge and probably paid without noticing!

So now AGL has done a final measurement and you - as the owner - are the closest to the person responsible for the bill. You can disputed it but good luck getting an answer - and truth be told a tiny part of these bills are yours.

If it was me - not wanting to spend hours on a call center - I'd just pay it, claim it as a tax deduction and move on

 

It's a service supply charge which comes in at approx $1.41 to $1.50+ per day (!).
There is no way around it other than to ring your provider and have it officially disconnected when no-one is there but if you need elec and gas during that period, you want to keep it connected.
It has nothing to do with current or previous tenant.
Not sure when all this started and it seems an exorbitant rate to me. However, the amount you were charged seems to fit fairly with that formula.

 

If you are not the account holder, it is not your bill. Contact the Energy Ombudsman if push comes to shove.

 

I have told my PM, that I won't be paying these bills. My PM's response was, "that's your decision, but most likely AGL will send debt collectors after you as you own the property.". Let's wait and see, hope they don't keep adding $50 extra every month as processing fee, and make me pay a fortune at the end. I bet they are used to having 9/10 people pay these type of bills for the same fears as I am having.

 

Its tax deductible, just pay it ...