Renters’ £102 bill for others’ energy

ONE in 10 home renters lose an average £102 picking up unpaid energy bills from previous tenants.

A study found those in social housing are hit hardest, stumping up around £151 for other people’s power.

Only four in 10 take or are given meter readings when they move, making it hard to calculate what they owe.

Price comparison site uSwitch also found seven in 10 landlords give no information about tariffs and a quarter do not reveal who the supplier is, making switching difficult. And a fifth believe they should choose the provider – against advice from regulator Ofgem.

Rik Smith of uSwitch said: “The last thing renters need is to shell out for gas and electricity they haven’t used. It’s shameful social housing are worst-affected.”