By Steve Roulstone
It has long been my impression that Utility Companies really do not have a clue when it comes to understanding the relationship between Tenants and Landlords and the implications of a property used for the rental market and nothing has happened over the last couple of years to change my mind in this respect. Then take the confusion every time a tenant does not pay the final bill and the overbearing reaction of the provider to invoice the Landlord for the unpaid bill! Never mind the ongoing question of who is responsible when?
Just what it says on the tin!
How nice that would be! To have a Company who looked after the interests of all concerned and more than that – understood what happens when a property changes hands three times in sometimes as little as two weeks. It is a fact that some organisations in my opinion just see this as a chance to make money. In my own region, the amount Severn Trent WA would invoice a Landlord for the few days he became liable between Tenancies would suggest the actual annual invoice was up to three times the actual annual cost. But what can you expect from an organisation that in my knowledge takes at least £100 more than is needed by those of us who have decided that paying by Direct Debit removes the hassle of calculating and making monthly payments. (Just work that across the region and see how much they have in their account that does not legitimately belong to them)
Services catered for
Well actually not yet! Yes Companies do exist but they have not yet managed to deliver the services they promise. I am sure the intent is good and without a doubt, they do assist us as Letting Agents in removing some of the hassle we have to go through in dealing directly with the suppliers, but as yet, the co-operation that should exist between them does not seem to exist.
All round benefits
What is needed is not somebody acting as a middle man, resulting in services at good prices (Still amazed at how much prices vary in the utility market, especially if you do not keep on top!) but somebody who can be trusted to look after the interests of all parties, especially the Tenant in ensuring they buy competitively and the Landlord in ensuring they do not fall foul of DATA protection legislation (or indeed be threatened that they have, which can be just as upsetting) and that they no longer get silly little invoices for short periods when a property is empty. (Take note STWA!) The problem for us as Agents, is that we are only ever going to be able to pick the best system whilst not being able to do the work needed to improve the service supplied.
Future competitive market
And the point is that it is very competitive now! The private rental market alone is calculated at being over 14% of housing stock in this Country and I would hope that Companies that are able to work at the way in which utility providers go about their business would take the time to look seriously at the option available by providing both a system and a service which is simple and time saving for all concerned.
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