MDL Electricity Charges

[dralex]

AFter reading a recnt post, I was reluctant to post this, but it is an open forum where everybody is entitled to a view and if we excluded things people suggested we exclude, there would be little left to talk about.

I have just had an electricity bill through from MDL from 1/11/04- 30/11/04- this is in addition to annual berthing charges and is called unitemised electricity.

It's for £75!!!! That's for a month. That works out at £900/year.

I could leave every electrical appliance in my house running all year and still not run up a bill that large. AS it stands, I am running about 800 watts intermittently on the boat.

I accept marinas are expensive and it boils down to supply and demand, but surely that's daylight robbery. I see some previous posters have said if you can't afford it, then you shouldn't have it, but I can afford the boat and just about afford the berthing charges in the marina, but come on MDL- £75/month for electricity- you're joking.

Does anybody else have suggestions (sensible) to make my bill cheaper?

<hr width=100% size=1>Just enjoy it.

 

[snowleopard]

are you using one of their metered leads? if not, get one pronto as their daily charges are enough to cover you drawing 16 amps 24/7

if you do have a meter, make sure the readings are correct as we had several instances of huge bills caused by staff reading incorrectly or perhaps reading the wrong meter.

remember that these days it is illegal to load massive surcharges on re-sold electricity.

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[Becky]

As Snowleopard says, check your meter, because Marinas are only allowed to charge the standard electric rate. They should have made a mistake.

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[Birdseye]

There is some law limiting the charge you can make for electricity when you re-sell it. I know because I fell foul of it selling to a company on our site and the receiver (b***d) spotted it.

Whether this applies to marinas I am less sure but its worth checking out.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[dralex]

THanks for the quick responses- I feel better now. I'll get things sorted on Monday

Happy Christmas

Alex

<hr width=100% size=1>Just enjoy it.

 

[andyball]

Sounds like you've been charged the unmetered rate of £2.50 a day- they offered you the buy/rent a metered lead option ? (renting looks dear, unless for short time).

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[pvb]

260% increase...

Recent legislation designed to stop people reselling electricity at a profit has led to many marinas introducing "admin charges" on electricity. As far as I'm aware, MDL actually has one of the most lenient approaches to these iniquitous charges. MDL marinas only charge about £10 (£9 plus Vat) per quarter – and they don’t even bill this until £30 of unit charges has been accrued. Moreover, they then only bill one quarterly charge. MDL’s terms say:-

“Berth holders whose quarterly unit charge is less than £30 will not be invoiced and any usage will be rolled over to the next quarter and so on thereafter until such time as the unit charge is in excess of £30. At this point an invoice will be raised, together with the £9 quarterly administration fee. For the avoidance of doubt, only one quarter’s charge (i.e. £9) will be levied under such circumstances.”

In contrast, the marina I'm in has just introduced a flat £15 per quarter "admin charge" for supplying electricity, plus the unit cost. As I use very little electricity, I used to be billed a £1.50 "minimum charge" each month. So my £18 a year has now gone up to around £65 a year (inc unit costs) - a nice little 260% increase!

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[dralex]

Re: 260% increase...

I definately think I need to be metered.

<hr width=100% size=1>Just enjoy it.

 

[nicho]

There simply has to be a mistake somewhere - my boat is on continuous 240 volt, with quite high usage (heater on all the time from October to March), as is the battery charger, and whilst on board all manner of 240 volt equipment. Our electricity bills are minimal, and way off your figure. Like I say, someone must have read the metre wrong, OR you do not have a metred lead. If so you will be charged at the rate of around £2.50 per day which could lead to your figure of £75 for the month. Get yourself a proper lead in that case!!

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[Roy]

Under normal useage rates 24/7 x 30 days, it should be around £30 +. But you are not on 24/7. As others have said, make a stand and some changes now.

<hr width=100% size=1>Make your own happiness!

 

[StugeronSteve]

We leave the boat plugged in 24/7, when on our berth. Even with a 500w frost guard heater and dehumidifier running, over winter, we only use around £3-4 worth of electricity a month, we do get charged something like £20 per quarter for the meter though.

<hr width=100% size=1>Think I'll draw some little rabbits on my head, from a distance they might be mistaken for hairs.

 

[Birdseye]

You're sure someone else isnt plugging into your socket whilst yo're away? A liveaboard nearby?

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[burgundyben]

I just asked ofgem about this, I got an email back, explaining they are capped at the price per unit and they can charge a maximum for providing the service of what they pay/number of users split pro rata depending on how much you use.

When I get to the office monday morning I'll post the email.

Apparently there is info about marina and caravan park charges on www.ofgem.co.uk although I have yet to find it.

<hr width=100% size=1>My house is for sale, 2 beds, Hamble.

 

[dralex]

Proper meter here I come.

Thanks guys

Alex

<hr width=100% size=1>Just enjoy it.

 

[DickB]

I was once charged £350 for 4 months but it transpired the (new) guy reading the meter put the decimal point in the wrong place!!! It worked out at about £30 once they re-read the meter...

You might just check this out! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[burgundyben]

Response from Offgem

I said I 'd post this days ago, but here it is.

Dear Mr Curtis

Thank you for your enquiry lodged on our website, I apologise for the delay in replying.

However, I have noted the contents of your enquiry and can advise as follows. The Maximum Resale Price (MRP) is the maximum amount a landlord can charge for gas and electricity. The maximum amount a landlord can charge for gas or electricity is the amount that they have paid for it, plus VAT at the appropriate rate. A landlord can also recover the supplier's standing charge, by dividing on a pro-rata basis amongst tenants according to their varying levels of consumption. This has been set by Ofgem. Current regulations came into effect on 1 January 2003.

The above regulations also apply to marinas and caravan parks whereby the electricity charges are passed on to berth holders. Although this subject does not fall within the remit of Energywatch, I can advise you that a comprehensive guide is to be found on the OFGEM website: www.ofgem.gov.uk and this does give examples regarding situations such as your own.

I am sorry I cannot be of more assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

Janice Doland
0845 906 0708