Marina Charges for Electric

Canopy Locked

Canopy Locked

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Just curious if anyone has any views on the legalities of how much a marina owner can re-charge electricity for to a berth holder.

Just had my bill in and they're charging £0.30 per unit.. Now I know electricity charges have been rising - my last household bill was 12.79p/unit - but 30ppu is, IMHO, taking the P***!

Grateful for any views before I confront them.... I do recognise that quite possibly they have me over a barrel and if I wants my berth then I pays my money....

but still .........30 pence a unit /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
There is legislation about what your 'landlord' can and cannot do with regards to electricity supply, this applies both to landlords who let houses and flats and to landlords who let caravans or caravan lots, so I am sure it will also apply to marinas 'et al' The one rule is that they cannot profit from charging the tenant for electricity, end of story it is not allowed and they cannot do it. Sorry to say I am unable to quote the legislation on this but I am sure someone who can will be along in a minute or two.

Mal
 
That was my understanding too. They can apparently charge a flat rate of, say, £3 for one day's use of shore power, but metered charges must conform to the law.
 
We placed a similar post a while back after Falmouth Harbour Commissioners raised the electricity charges for our winter berth to 25p per unit. This is paid by a card system rather than billed but the theory is the same.

After lots of forumites said this was entirely wrong, I contacted Consumer Direct and then researched the subject via Ofgem. I downloaded a document from their website which described the legalities of resale of electricity - it said that the "landlord" must not add profit to electricity charge and costs of supply (bollards, etc) must be billed as a separate charge.

I presented this to Falmouth Harbour who said we had no legal rights because we were "transients" and only occupied our berths for the winter - 7 months of the year. In other words...like it or lump it. Not sure if a 12 month a year berth holder with a dedicated berth would be in a different position.

Apparently the BMIF (British Marine Federation) had advised Falmouth Harbour Commissioners that they can do this. Maybe you will be more fortunate with your case against your marina.
 
Had mine today & with the service supply charge it's 17p per unit
Doesn't seem to bad
/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Mind you I've also had the berthing invoice for £3770.00 /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Had a feeling that marina's were exempt from the landlord rules undersome commercial supply exemption-so could sell on at a profit. Worth asking them the question and seeing how they justify it.
 
Compared to a lot of marinas that is not bad and you'll be told they have to cover installation costs etc.
EDF for the period you are referring to were charging 25.9p per unit to a domestic user for the first 197 units.
 
The legislation only applies to landlords with tennants and when the electricity is used for "domestic" purposes. "Houseboats" are specifically mentioned in the legislation but I don't think you will find it applies to the average marina boat, be it resident (boat) or visitor. Probably the get out clause is that most marinas have a restriction on permanently living aboard so that your unattended dehumidifier or heater would not qualify as "domestic" use.
 
Units used and service charge should be itemised seperately because the VAT rates are different. Confusing at first but became apparent when I thought about it - still a good profit to the marina though! Ours was £140 from Jan to March /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
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