The article discusses the issue of heat networks in the UK, where landlords or freeholders buy energy on the commercial market for residents, making them vulnerable to price hikes and poor service. The article highlights a specific case at the River Gardens housing development in London, where leaseholders were charged retrospectively for increased prices without being informed. The leaseholders took their dispute to the tribunal, which found in their favor, but not before the leaseholder had already paid £550 of their bill.
The article also discusses the role of Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, which is now responsible for policing heat networks and can step in if customers face unfair price hikes or poor service. Ofgem has introduced new protections, including a package of rules that require pricing to be fair and proportionate, and provides a general rule that prices must not be discriminatory.
The article concludes by stating that the new regime will ensure that customers can understand their bills, that prices are fair, and that they can rely on their heat supply. Some new protections took effect in 2025, including the Energy Ombudsman starting to accept disputes relating to heat networks, and a new advice service launched by Consumer Scotland and Citizens Advice.
Key points from the article:
* Heat networks are a big part of the country's net zero push, but many customers face unclear bills, poor communication, or uncertainty about what to do when things go wrong.
* Ofgem is now responsible for policing heat networks and can step in if customers face unfair price hikes or poor service.
* The new regime includes protections such as fair pricing, clear billing, and reliable heat supply.
* Some new protections took effect in 2025, including the Energy Ombudsman starting to accept disputes relating to heat networks and a new advice service launched by Consumer Scotland and Citizens Advice.
Overall, the article highlights the need for regulation of heat networks to protect customers from unfair price hikes and poor service.
The article also discusses the role of Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator, which is now responsible for policing heat networks and can step in if customers face unfair price hikes or poor service. Ofgem has introduced new protections, including a package of rules that require pricing to be fair and proportionate, and provides a general rule that prices must not be discriminatory.
The article concludes by stating that the new regime will ensure that customers can understand their bills, that prices are fair, and that they can rely on their heat supply. Some new protections took effect in 2025, including the Energy Ombudsman starting to accept disputes relating to heat networks, and a new advice service launched by Consumer Scotland and Citizens Advice.
Key points from the article:
* Heat networks are a big part of the country's net zero push, but many customers face unclear bills, poor communication, or uncertainty about what to do when things go wrong.
* Ofgem is now responsible for policing heat networks and can step in if customers face unfair price hikes or poor service.
* The new regime includes protections such as fair pricing, clear billing, and reliable heat supply.
* Some new protections took effect in 2025, including the Energy Ombudsman starting to accept disputes relating to heat networks and a new advice service launched by Consumer Scotland and Citizens Advice.
Overall, the article highlights the need for regulation of heat networks to protect customers from unfair price hikes and poor service.
! £550 is just insane, I mean, what if they didn't have that kind of money just lying around? And the fact that Ofgem couldn't do anything about it until the leaseholder went to tribunal is just, like, so not okay 
. But, on a slightly better note, at least now the Energy Ombudsman and all those new protections are in place 
, so maybe, just maybe, some poor souls won't have to go through that same trauma anymore 
. Ugh, I'm still fuming about it though 
...
. And if you try to complain or dispute the price, they just leave you in the dark until you've paid your bill 
.
. I hope Ofgem is doing a good job policing heat networks and making sure customers aren't being ripped off 
.
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Like, finally something's being done about these landlords & freeholders who are being super shady with their heat network pricing! 
At least now they're stepping in and making some changes, but it's about time. I mean, we've had to deal with a lot of issues with energy companies over the years... remember when people used to have to buy their own gas stoves? 
It's crazy how much has changed, but sometimes I wish things were simpler. Anyway, hopefully this new regime will finally give people some peace of mind when it comes to their heat bills. 
! I mean, £550 is a lot of cash, especially when you're not even getting informed about the price hike. The fact that Ofgem is stepping in now with new protections is a major win for consumers, though 
. It's about time someone held those landlords accountable. And can we talk about how outdated these leasehold systems are? 
Now that Ofgem has stepped in, maybe some accountability will be had. We need better regulation on these heat networks or people are gonna keep getting stuck with the bill. 
. Retrospective pricing is just unfair, you know? They already paid £550 before they even knew what was going on... that's just crazy talk 
. But hey, at least they got their money back and some extra protections are in place now 
. I guess it's all good that the Energy Ombudsman is starting to take heat network disputes seriously 
. And a new advice service? That's a great idea! More people should know about these things before they're stuck with crappy bills 
. I mean, it's not like they're doing anything wrong, but landlords are just raking it in while the residents struggle to make ends meet. And now that Ofgem is stepping in, it's about time those heat networks got their act together! They need to be more transparent and fair with pricing - it's just common decency 
It's crazy! And Ofgem just introduced new rules that require pricing to be fair and proportionate... but what about the ones who've already been left feeling burnt (pun intended)?