Connecting to a new supply

[wistedranks]

Hi. This is my first post so if any admin see this, I'm sorry if I'm breaking any rules!

Anyway let's get down to it.

I've recently found myself a nice 1st floor unit to set up a small office in a neglected building (that's taken about 2 weeks to clean up, looked like an indoor skip to begin with). There will be about 15 workstations, a few fluros for lighting, and some heating as I'm thinking it's going to get cold when the winter comes back around. Maybe a small breakout area too, coffee machine / microwave, that kind of thing.

It's powered through some old grid that the landlord seems to think he can charge extortionate rates. But good news is westernpower have brought in a new supply over the other side of the estate - 100 amp fuses? (about 100m away).

So, questions.

Can I get a electric company (eon / npower / whatever) to set up an individual meter for me? Any idea what it would cost?

How much should I expect to pay for cabling (which will probably run along the outside of the building) and installation of the lighting and about 15 wall sockets?

I want a new breaker and repositioned so it's not so annoyingly behind the door. If you've got any idea about cost, please factor that in.

Want all this done within 2 weeks, am I being realistic?

Any input from the professionals here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Wistedranks

 

[ian.settle1]

Can't see that the landlord is that bothered as if he was he would have had the building in some sort of tidy state ready to rent out not as the OP said that it was negelected and has taken 2 weeks to clean out.

 

[wistedranks]

Do you have an drawn up plan of where these 15 work stations, heaters and the breakout area will be situated within the building? If so give a copy to the electrician.

I've done a couple of sketches of potential layouts. I'll go make some photocopies.

 

[wistedranks]

Is it me or is this puzzling.

The OP is paying meter charges to his landlord, which he thinks are high.

Theres talk of a new supply being brought into the estate by the supplier.... so somebody needs top determine exactly what is going on as I suspect the landlord would HAVE to be involved in the agreement to make changes to the supply to his building AND changes to the internal electrics.

Just saying.

Yes, the landlord is charging what seems to be about 25% above the going rate per unit. I think that's pretty excessive for electricity. He has brought a new supply, not sure if the existing one was 'suitable'. Don't just want to be guessing, but I think it may have something to do with the fairly shiny new looking fire alarm system that's also been installed around the estate...

 

[wistedranks]

I thought that a landlord was not allowed to charge their tenants more than what they paid for electrcity when passing the cost on.

From what I understand, there is a small percentage (under 10%) the landlord is able to charge. Not sure if it's a legal regulation or a "suggested guideline". That's the thing about tinternet, can never be sure.

 

[wistedranks]

It domestic like house rental that has to be charged at the same rate as the landlord paid for the Electricity including standing charges, commercial and Industrial are not bound by these rules and its best to shop around on your existing supply and arrange a better deal with the landlord knowing what may cost him or explain to the landlord that failure to agree a compromise will force you to look at having your own supply into the building but as already expressed, an NPAN needs to be raised and this will require the co-operation of the landlord.

I would personally be trying to arrange some middle ground with the landlord or explain that if you cannot agree a better deal then you will not be moving in, any landlord knows the value of not having empty premises so after a chat I expect some deal could be sorted - if the costs are extortionate why did you agree to move in in the first place, a prospective tenant has far more bargaining power than a signed tenant, it seems you have gone about this --- about --- and backed yourself into a corner thus your in a catch 22 where the landlord has to be agreeable to all options.

The landlord is agreeable and frankly seems like a genuine guy. Believe me the agreement is very attractive for us, he wanted rid and we got a bargain. Not sure why there are so many similar places in stoke, if this estate was within the m25 it'd be worth a fortune.

Anyway, wouldn't have moved in if there wasn't a chance we were getting our own supply. Know the other tenants said they've been crying out for it for a while, this seems to be the homestretch right?

 

[Des 56]

There is a maximum resell price for domestic customers,the landlord cant charge more per unit, he can charge a portion, shared between the tenants for standing charge and vat

The Maximum Resale Price does not apply to gas or electricity that is used at industrial or commercial premises

 

[wistedranks]

Can't see that the landlord is that bothered as if he was he would have had the building in some sort of tidy state ready to rent out not as the OP said that it was negelected and has taken 2 weeks to clean out.

He saw a great big heaving pile of rubbish and let it go on the cheap. I'm sure he thought we wouldn't take it, so he offered a silly price, which lowered when I didn't contact back in a week. It looks fantastic now.

This is just step 1. We've planned for some rapid growth once we expand our client base. We didn't expect to start out in Buckingham Palace but we'rre aiming high.