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Maxsteam - in my case this standing charge isnt part of our service charge as lease holders (I assume this is the same for others). This is in addittion to the service charge and Switch2 seem to be a law unto themselves. Woop!

Something needs to be done about Switch2.

As leaseholders, you just need to agree, by means of a vote, for an alternative. If the management company wont implement the alternative, you can vote to change the management company.

Hi Ladybee,

Hope you got on ok with your temperature. I have a Switch2 system and found keeping my flat at a constant temperatue worked quite well. With nice weather I am however stuggling to keep the flat cool...!

In terms of the standing charge I am having the same issue. The standing charge is ridiculous. My advice is continue to seek answers from the freeholder / developer / landlord whichever is relavant. I continue to seek answers from the housing provider (I am a shared owener of my property). Such as why on earth they agreed to such an expensive system. I suggest you do the same.

I have had the same issues with Switch2 I could not get any information whatsoever about them. On their website they stated stated that what they charged would be 'competative' with other providers. They clearly see this is not the case as this page is now being redeveloped.

Maxsteam - in my case this standing charge isnt part of our service charge as lease holders (I assume this is the same for others). This is in addittion to the service charge and Switch2 seem to be a law unto themselves. Woop!

Something needs to be done about Switch2.

Cant get any sence from this firm, we are having trouble with getting the rooms warm, they say that if its 21c then thats the legal limit and thats all the heat we can expect, so it takes us around midnight to reach 23c, when its time for bed, apparently its set that way so we cant adjust it to heat quicker. anyone with advice would be helpful, can they do this?

You should ask for a full detailed breakdown together with copies of invoices and bills.

It is common for leaseholders to be robbed. For example many insurance companies will provide £5000 worth of insurance to flats but they will send a bill for £10000 for the managing agent to pay on behalf of the leaseholders, then the agent gets £5000 "commission" back.

There should be a meeting every year where the leaseholders can question what is happening and, if necessary, change the managing agent or even take over the management themselves.

We are also living in a new development of apartments which supplies us with the energy heating, electric, water, sewrage, hot water and heat combined from Switch 2. The prices are sky high and have been told we cannot change supplier because this is a communial building which have the contract for 5 years. We cant even get really warm as it takes 2 hours for the temperature to reach 22c in the mornings, we were told this is normal and the highest temperature we get is 23c when its 11.oopm. We sit with a blanket around us to keep warm. The only way to keep warm is to have the heating on all day and night which will cost a bomb. 30pound per month in standing charges is lot to pay and the meters are read through a modem so why do they cahrge these prices. Let me know if you can

I had a look at the SWITCH2 website!

I have been in the energy industry for 8 years and I have never seen this!

I found this:

5) Can I change my supplier?

Answer: You are connected to the communal scheme, so this would be difficult. However with the benefits of being connected to the communal system such as the lower costs, better service and more environmentally friendly credentials, you won’t want to!

The scheme provider will ensure that the cost of energy remains comparable to conventional utility supplies.

So it says it would be difficult not impossible!

I would contact other suppliers and see if they can support this system.

You may be better contacting the host supplier for your area!?

That's my problem ! it is £1.49 per day. I contacted Switch2 Energy and they confirmed me that the price is right: that's the cost of the network maintenance.

I checked with my neighbours and they are paying the same price.

Do you have any idea what I can do ?

Are you sure its not 14.9p per day!?

£1.49 per day most people will use that in elec in one day!

Dear Max,

I am having the same problem, I received my first SWITCH2 bill today, I paid 150 pounds for 2 months including almost 90 pounds for services charges.

Did you contact energywatch or did you find a solution ?

Thanks,

Nicolas.

Max,

The best people to speak to are Energywatch on 08459 06 07 08.

www.energywatch.org.uk

Good luck!

I have recently bought an apartment in a new development and the whole development is served by SWITHC2 which provides hot water, heating and electricity.

I have now received the first bill and I have been charged for the consumption of heating, water and electricity but I have also found a voice STANDING CHARGE calculated at £1.49/day. In 40 days i have therefore been charged for £50.00 for utilities and £61 for service charges.

Because the whole development is served by central heating and cetral hot water, I can not switch on another suppleir, and i have the feeling that SWITCH 2 is overcharging me and all the owners. I need to highlight that the development is complosed of 60 flats. Therefore, if each apartment is charged at £1.49/day (as i suppose), at the end of the year SWITCH2 is having more than £30,000 as "standing charge".

I have been told that the "standing charge" are paid for

The operation and maintenance of the central plant and the energy distribution network.
• Maintenance of the consumer interface unit, metering and controls located in the consumers property, but excluding radiators, valves and pipework.
• Full guarantee.
• The Standing Charge for all incoming utilities, e.g. gas and water
• Billing and Administration of the system.
• Management and tendering for all required fuel to minimise the costs of running the system

But honestly, i think that £30,000/year is a bit expensive.

Because I am not British and I do not know where to seek for advice, I wonder if I can search for any remedy before going to a solicitor and apply the Court. Is there any association that can assist me in finding out if this cost is correct or is there anything else i can do in order to reduce this cost?

Thank you very much in advance.