As of 10 November 2011, many tenants, including those in
multi-let buildings, have been given the freedom to choose their
own electricity suppliers.
The Electricity and Gas (Internal Markets) Regulations 2011 came
into force last month as a result of a decision by the European
Court of Justice. It enforces the legal obligations imposed by the
European Union's Third Package for gas and electricity reforms
which opens up the access and use of electricity distribution
systems, encouraging third party use.
Previously
Until now, landlords of multi-occupied buildings have had
generally unchallenged control of the private power distribution
systems within their buildings. Traditionally they have enjoyed a
carte blanche authority to choose the electricity supplier and
charge the tenants for that supply by reference to levels of actual
consumption. Some larger landlords have also benefitted from
favourable prices achieved through bulk-buying supplies.
