If your home is on a heat network

Heat networks (sometimes called 'district' or 'communal' heating) are a way of heating blocks of flats or groups of homes.

If your home is on a heat network:

• you can't switch your heat network supplier

• you might pay your heating bills to a management company or housing association - if you're renting this might be part of your rent

• you might have to pay for maintenance costs - how much you need to pay can change over time

If you already live in a home on a heat network and you're having problems there are steps you can take to solve them.

If you haven't decided to move in yet it's worth checking how much you'll pay first.

If you’re struggling to pay your heat network bills

You should:

• check if there are ways to save money on your bills

• check if your bill is correct

• contact the company or person you pay your bills to and discuss ways to pay what you owe 

It’s important to deal with your heat network bills as soon as you can. If you don’t, your heat network supplier might disconnect your heating and hot water or you might lose your home.

Check what to do if you’re struggling with your heat network bills.

If you're thinking about moving into a home on a heat network

Ask whoever you're buying or renting from for details about your energy supply.

It's worth asking for everything in writing and keeping it in case you need it in future.

Ask for:

• a copy of the energy performance certificate - this will tell you how much your heat should cost

• information about any maintenance charges and service fees you'll have to pay

• contact details for the heat network supplier and information about who you should speak to if there's a problem

You should also check whether the heat network supplier is part of a consumer scheme like the Heat Trust. If it is, you'll have more protection if you have problems with your heat supply.

You can also get an estimate of how much you'll pay using the Heat Trust calculator. You'll need to know who the heat network supplier is.

If you think something seems unfair you should ask about it and get your answer in writing. Keep it as evidence in case you need to challenge something in future.

Complaining about your heat network supplier

You might need to complain if:

• you were sent a bill you think is too high

• there's been a problem with your heat supply

• you think something in your contract is wrong

It's best to follow your supplier's complaints procedure - you should be able to find this on their website or a recent bill.

If complaining doesn't solve your problem

You should check if your heat network supplier is a Heat Trust member on the Heat Trust website.

If they are, 8 weeks after your first complaint to your supplier you can complain to the Energy Ombudsman Service to help resolve your problem.

If they aren't a Heat Trust member you should ask if they're willing to use an 'alternative dispute resolution' scheme to help solve the problem. This means an independent organisation looks at the problem and makes recommendations for how to resolve it. Your heat supplier might not have to follow the scheme's recommendations.

If they won't use alternative dispute resolution, or they refuse to follow any recommendations if you do use one, contact the Consumer service for help.

If you live in a council or housing association home you can ask the Housing Ombudsman to help with your problem.

If you're renting from a private landlord and you think they've broken your contract by charging you too much for your heating you might be able to take them to court.

Contact your nearest Citizens Advice for help deciding whether you should take your landlord to court.

Further help

Contact the Citizens Advice consumer service if you need more help - a trained adviser can give you advice over the phone.