AdviceENERGY
SAVE YOUR ENERGY
Ever wished you
didn’t have tomake yet another call to your energy supplier?Energy Renewalsmay have the solution your block needs
Anyone living in A block of flats is likely to be aware of the problems of energy supply to blocks of flats –and theirmanaging agentorRMCdirectorswillcertainly be more intimately familiar with theheadaches this
cancause.Organisations representingthose living andworking in theleaseholdsector, such as ARMAandthe FPRA continue to work hard on improvingthe relationship between the utility companies and thosemanaging energy supplies forblocksofflatsbut it is still easy to fall foul of your supplier if youtake your eye off the ball.
Energy procurementspecialistsEnergy
Renewals havemade it theirbusinessto understandand familiarisethemselveswith theparticularissuesmanaging agents face when dealing with energy suppliers–over estimatedbills,not beingabletoobtain informationabout aparticularsupplyand incorrectrates of VAT, to namebutafew.But oneofthe morefrequentproblemsnow arising is that of security deposits.EvenifanRMC has been with a particular supplier formany yearsand has paid theirbills on time,thisis no protection fromtheincreasingtrend to request security deposits frommanagement companies. Thesecuritydeposit is theenergysuppliers’
safeguardagainstwhat they perceive to be high risk customersinRMCs. Despitethe supplies to communal areas in blocks of flats being used solely for domestic purposes, theRMCs are treated by the suppliers as commercial entities andassuchare subjectto the normal credit vetting procedures applied to allcommercialcustomers.Due to their non-trading status,theRMCislikelytohave alow or suppressedcreditscore or will show as adormant company. This cancreateall sortsofproblemswhenitcomes to renewing contractsandmayleadtosuppliesbeing on outofcontractrates (which canbeupto5 timeshigherthancontractedrates)whilethe issues are sorted out.
26 During thelastfewmonthsEnergy
Renewals have beenworking closelywith three of themajor suppliers to change their perception ofRMCs as high risk customers and to overcomethe necessity to provide security
deposits.Thishas beenachievedto somedegree andtwo of thesuppliers arenow offeringaproduct toRMCswhomeetcertain criteria. (This would apply to around 90%of mostmanaging agent’sportfolios.)Asaresult of thesediscussions,the twoenergyproviders in questionhaveagreed to offer greentariffs, preferentialrates andquarterly/monthly billingfor atrial period,toblockswhomeet their criteria via Energy Renewals.
frequent problemsnow arisingis that of security deposits
Managing Agents canfind themselves
spending disproportionateamountsoftime dealing with theirenergyportfolio simply becausetheydonot have theresources or the necessary industry knowledge. Outsourcing canprovideaworkablealternative. It isn’t always just aboutpricewhen it comesto renewing energy contracts, so choosing an energymanagement company that offers ongoingsupport tomanaging agents via akey contactcan ensure good channels of communication and a solid working relationship.●
FormoreinformationabouthowEnergyRenewalscan supportyourportfolioenergymanagement, pleasecontact kenWarner,SeniorEnergyConsultanton08449099001 oremail
info@energyrenewals.co.uk Websitewww.energyrenewals.co.uk
Oneofthemore
RMC’sare likely to have alow or suppressedcredit rating
energyRenewals canoffer nPortfolioassessment (collatinginformation fromallsuppliersincludingestimated consumptionforeachmeterandcontractend dates) nAlignmentofcontractenddates nSmoothtransferofsupply(dealingwith objectionsontransfer) nAllaccountssetupwithcorrectVATrate of5% nManagement ofanyissuesonyourbehalf astheyarise nOnlineaccesstoportfolio viaEnergy Renewalscustomerportal nSpreadsheet billing nBillvalidationviaonlineportal (15%of invoicescontain irregularities) nGrouppricingandyearlycomparisonson renewalofcontract
Suppliers canoffer (throughenergy Renewals) nGreenTariffsforchosensites nPreferentialrates nQuarterly/Monthlybilling nNosecuritydepositsformanagement companies
Formoreinformationaboutourservices pleasecontactEnergyRenewals Limited viaemailorgotoourwebsite(seecontact detailsbelow).EnergyRenewalsoperates underastrictcodeofconductaswearea fullyaccreditedmemberof theUIA(Utility intermediaryassociation)
Issue 13, Winter Flat Living
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