commercial property prepaid sub-metering Vrs life safety services.

So long as the building B is closed down as well as building A when the supply goes off, but it seems a very silly arrangement - if building B is paying the bill, why do they not have their own meter and supplies ? I presume there is more to this than you have explained ?

Yes there is but this is a very old development to which the contractor installed it in this way to save money but due to its age the contractor no longer exists. 


So from a compliance point of view i cant't see there is an issue with it, in the way of a normal building arrangment if you dont pay your imcoming electricity bill you get cut off. 

Just for clarity Building A has the incoming energy providers meter this supply is then split to not only feed building A but then goes off to feed building B which in itself is a completely separate development with a different owner, and even through it has a sub-meter to which building A landlord try’s to invoice against its always in arrears.  

Yes - but if building B loses supply in effect without due warning, due to non payment by A, then there is a very interesting liability problem.  Are A not in effect under contract with B to supply ?

I'm afraid I wont be much help with definitive answers - your lawyer might be a good place to start.....I wonder what contractual agreements are in place between the two landlords - surely there must be something that'll surely include paying for their power? Access to essential services - what rights do building B have to enter Building As property and switch room to access the source of their electricity supply?


......but if building B was electrically separate from Building A (Which I assume it is- other than Building A being the source of supply?) and the fire alarm systems are separate? Other than perhaps a comms link or output from or to each panel? Then if the bills are not being paid - send an engineer down to the switch room and turn the power off at a time of low building occupancy - such as on a Sunday perhaps?


Maybe the landlords will get the message. Or perhaps organise scheduled maintenance on the main switch gear without informing building B - there may be legal ramifications though. 


I think the Lawyers are the place to start here.


Edit - (I see Mapj1 beat me to it with the liability angle.............)


Kind Regards

Tatty

Are A not in effect under contract with B to supply ?


I doubt their contact would be that well drawn up considering the consequences described. I'd seek legals to draft letter to B saying that due to repeated failure to pay on time, they have to make payments on time and failure to do so will result in disconnection, with a little add on to say B has 6 months to get their own supply installed, after which, the supply is disconnected, irrespective of history.


As to loss of A's supply for failing to pay their own and B's, I can't see B having any recourse having brought it upon themselves.


Regards


BOD

What is the jurisdiction please?


I agree with Perspicacious. In effect if owner B fails to pay (on time) he has breached the contract and A is no longer under any obligation to supply.


As far as safety equipment is concerned, if A doesn't supply, then B can no longer safely occupy his building. Negligence is unlikely to apply.