Be prosecuted for illegal gas connection. Urgent help

[2011G6E]

How dare you try to save money on your household bills!!!!!!!!!! Pay up the crippling asking price for the official supply and be a good little consumer!!!!

I was amazed to wander the hardware section of Walmart in the USA...all sorts of electrical, gas, and plumbing supplies and equipment, just mild "warnings" about maybe checking with a professional before doing big work, or at least "seeking advice".
Here in our wonderful free country you're technically not even allowed to change the end of a power lead...

Not to mention stuff for cars like this...


People should...as long as things are done safely...have a bit of bloody control over thier lives...

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Not to mention stuff for cars like this...
image

People should...as long as things are done safely...have a bit of bloody control over thier lives...

You can't buy that here because R134a is a super greenhouse gas, is illegal to vent to atmosphere and there is legislation around its handling and purchasing for this reason

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

How dare you try to save money on your household bills!!!!!!!!!! Pay up the crippling asking price for the official supply and be a good little consumer!!!!

I was amazed to wander the hardware section of Walmart in the USA...all sorts of electrical, gas, and plumbing supplies and equipment, just mild "warnings" about maybe checking with a professional before doing big work, or at least "seeking advice".
Here in our wonderful free country you're technically not even allowed to change the end of a power lead...

Not to mention stuff for cars like this...
image

People should...as long as things are done safely...have a bit of bloody control over thier lives...

Good reason, to save you from your own stupidity!

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by trublu

Good reason, to save you from your own stupidity!

And yet in other countries it seems to work pretty much OK....

[xisled]

Originally Posted by devilcv8

I did that a few years back with ACTEWAGL. I have natural gas and the only appliance that uses it was an old inefficient gas heater. I decided to cancel the gas and stick with wood. Fast forward 3 years until yesterday and low and behold i get 2 bills from ACTEWAGL addresses to energy consumer with overdue charges and a nice letter going on about the previous customer closed their account the gas was not disconnected and our meter readings show you've been using your gas supply. Problem is both bills have a start and end reading of 1181, which equates to 0 usage. The only charges are service charges. Im going to have some fun on tuesday (public holiday monday), but it wn't be fun for them because I am, how shall I say, not very happy at this attempted scam.
I asked for the service to be cancelled and disconnected as I had no intentions of using it again. Now I have to waste my time dealing with them. It will be entertaining for my work colleagues who'll overhear it.

You never had the meter abolished and still have the supply running to your home and this is why you have been charged for a supply charge. This is a charge that the retailer can charge you even if you haven't used any gas. The meter reading will still be attending your property to read the meter etc.

My suggestion if you do not want to get a bill in the future for gas charges you need to have the gas meter removed from your property.

You wont win as the bills for supply charge will keep on coming. I have seen this so many times and the retailers always comes out as the winner.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by xisled

You never had the meter abolished and still have the supply running to your home and this is why you have been charged for a supply charge. This is a charge that the retailer can charge you even if you haven't used any gas. The meter reading will still be attending your property to read the meter etc.

My suggestion if you do not want to get a bill in the future for gas charges you need to have the gas meter removed from your property.

You wont win as the bills for supply charge will keep on coming. I have seen this so many times and the retailers always comes out as the winner.

couldnt you just ring them up and say "hey im moving out on this date.." and they comes around and shuts yo gas off

etc

[blackf6]

So,what happened mate? Pineapple?

[commodorenutt]

Probably one about this big: http://www.bigpineapple.com.au

While it's all been said over & over about legalities, there's a strong sense of frustration here stemming from the "stick it to the little guy" attitude of big business towards his prior complaints. Could be the makings of a movie in this - oh, wait, there was a similar tale - The Castle

[blackf6]

Since he lives in Mackay. He probobly got the big banana.

[commodorenutt]

Isn't that in Coffs Harbour? ;)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MDS69]

Originally Posted by blackf6

Since he lives in Mackay. He probobly got the big banana.

Originally Posted by commodorenutt

Isn't that in Coffs Harbour? ;)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well obviously the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour is in Queensland as that is near where Greg Inglis first played footy and he is in the Qld SOO team.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mbgShiaal6E

[1TUFFUTE]

Seriously tho......all this rubbish could have been avoided if the OPs landlord had made a descrete call....instead of abusing the OPs rights and potentially costing him 20k for a rather innocent stuff up! A dangerous one I'll agree......but if it's that dangerous....why are there no warnings on fittings or tanks, and more importantly, why are the fittings the same as your regular Bunnings bbq fittings?

For eg....grey water lines being used internally have to be a different colour so they are identifiable. Surely GAS is more dangerous then unhealthy water.....

[olfella]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

Seriously tho......all this rubbish could have been avoided if the OPs landlord had made a descrete call....instead of abusing the OPs rights and potentially costing him 20k for a rather innocent stuff up! A dangerous one I'll agree......but if it's that dangerous....why are there no warnings on fittings or tanks, and more importantly, why are the fittings the same as your regular Bunnings bbq fittings?

For eg....grey water lines being used internally have to be a different colour so they are identifiable. Surely GAS is more dangerous then unhealthy water.....

Everything is fine in hindsight and not having all available FACTS. Everything on here is here-say. If you are upset about the labelling of the fittings or there availability, then contact your regulator as they are the ones that get the legislation past and enforce it. Ranting on here will not change a thing - only annoy people.

Grey and black water can be just as dangerous - it is all in the application.

[Giant Cranium]

Coz we all love photos can you post a photo of the connection that you did?

[barrys123]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

How dare you try to save money on your household bills!!!!!!!!!! Pay up the crippling asking price for the official supply and be a good little consumer!!!!

I was amazed to wander the hardware section of Walmart in the USA...all sorts of electrical, gas, and plumbing supplies and equipment, just mild "warnings" about maybe checking with a professional before doing big work, or at least "seeking advice".
Here in our wonderful free country you're technically not even allowed to change the end of a power lead...

Not to mention stuff for cars like this...
image

People should...as long as things are done safely...have a bit of bloody control over thier lives...

Before they stopped the R12 gas for air conditioners you used to be able to buy the pressure pack cans here even Kmart sold them, that was up until 1990.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by olfella

Everything is fine in hindsight and not having all available FACTS. Everything on here is here-say. If you are upset about the labelling of the fittings or there availability, then contact your regulator as they are the ones that get the legislation past and enforce it. Ranting on here will not change a thing - only annoy people.

Grey and black water can be just as dangerous - it is all in the application.

I was thinking along the lines that at least grey water has labelling so that anyone not an expert on the matter can easily tell it's a no go area! Although it was most likely implemented so that inspectors could follow the lines more easily without looking to hard.
Either way.....in hindsight.....if the landlord had followed the law.....maybe he could have built some REP with his tenant.....rather then assuming the worst!

[pcman]

Originally Posted by barrys123

Before they stopped the R12 gas for air conditioners you used to be able to buy the pressure pack cans here even Kmart sold them, that was up until 1990.

you can still buy r134a in a can for blowing dust of electrical stuffs, so clearly the gas aint that bad if we can just spray int into the air
http://www.jaycar.com.au/Service-Aid...y-Can/p/NA1018

[xisled]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

Seriously tho......all this rubbish could have been avoided if the OPs landlord had made a descrete call....instead of abusing the OPs rights and potentially costing him 20k for a rather innocent stuff up! A dangerous one I'll agree......but if it's that dangerous....why are there no warnings on fittings or tanks, and more importantly, why are the fittings the same as your regular Bunnings bbq fittings?

For eg....grey water lines being used internally have to be a different colour so they are identifiable. Surely GAS is more dangerous then unhealthy water.....

Yes the landlord and real estate agent have let him down so we assume. We don't no all the facts.

But you also need to remember the lease agreement will basically state that the tenant can not make alterations to the property without permission from the owner. Even if there was no warnings, alterations have been made and the op shouldn't have done this.

I am sure if something was not done correctly and there was a fire/gas leak and someone was hurt or killed then people's opinions would be a lot different.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by xisled

Yes the landlord and real estate agent have let him down so we assume. We don't no all the facts.

But you also need to remember the lease agreement will basically state that the tenant can not make alterations to the property without permission from the owner. Even if there was no warnings, alterations have been made and the op shouldn't have done this.

I am sure if something was not done correctly and there was a fire/gas leak and someone was hurt or killed then people's opinions would be a lot different.

No ones saying what he did was ok

[devilcv8]

Originally Posted by xisled

You never had the meter abolished and still have the supply running to your home and this is why you have been charged for a supply charge. This is a charge that the retailer can charge you even if you haven't used any gas. The meter reading will still be attending your property to read the meter etc.

My suggestion if you do not want to get a bill in the future for gas charges you need to have the gas meter removed from your property.

You wont win as the bills for supply charge will keep on coming. I have seen this so many times and the retailers always comes out as the winner.

Update: I won. no charges apply and havent since I disconnected years ago.
I rang ACTEWAGL and it turns out they sent the letters and invoices in an attempt to get people who have meters but no usage to call them. Result was invoices cancelled and the meter will be removed at some point.
I then followed up with a complaint to the ombudsman as I believe sending invoices and letters that tell you to pay then call is not ethical if all they really wanted was for people to contact them. Not to mention the letter mentions usage when the invoices clearly show none.


again, I won. not the retailer.

[Eaturbo]

Originally Posted by xisled

Yes the landlord and real estate agent have let him down so we assume. We don't no all the facts.

But you also need to remember the lease agreement will basically state that the tenant can not make alterations to the property without permission from the owner. Even if there was no warnings, alterations have been made and the op shouldn't have done this.

I am sure if something was not done correctly and there was a fire/gas leak and someone was hurt or killed then people's opinions would be a lot different.

Give it a rest mate. Its less dangerous what i did than what every gas bbq out there is. Its only a problem because its legislation. A gas bbq with and ignitor and 4 burners is more risk than a hot water system with a small flame that's 20m away. That my beef what the hot water system can kill someone but the same 9kg bottle on the bbq can't. Some days i think why do i bother on this forum cause half the people im talking with a either kids or half my age. And i don't mean all of you. Some of you are like you've never done anything illegal or dangerous and are quick to pass judgement.

[nstg8a]

What did you really expect posting on here? That everyone would side with you and blame the big bad corporate?

You need to accept what you did was illegal and immoral. Until you can do that you will keep getting members pointing it out to you.

Was it dangerous? Don't know, don't care, because it's irrelevant.

[Nailz]

A 9kg will only leak 9kg of gas, mains leak will leak indefinitely until someone finds it. guess that's the difference.

That's if there was a leak though.

Guess they figure a 9kg explosion would only take out your personal home not the neighborhood lol.

[BFGasUte]

Hello,

Most landlords and estate agents are dodgy so and so's always ready to screw the tenant over, and expect the tenant to do illegal things anyway. My GF was in a rental because of a delay with her house, and it was written into the lease that the tenant was responsible for leaky taps, and had instructions on how to change a tap washer. Hot water failed, took 4 days to fix it in winter. It was not a small agent either. The lease also implied that in an emergency get it fixed and you will be reimbursed. Burst water pipe in the house at night so she gets it fixed asap thinking that was an emergency, but the wording was ambiguous so they weaseled out again. Dodgy brick pier that blew over in a wind storm ? There are some bad tenants, but there would be more dodgy land-lords.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by BFGasUte

Hello,

Most landlords and estate agents are dodgy so and so's always ready to screw the tenant over, and expect the tenant to do illegal things anyway. My GF was in a rental because of a delay with her house, and it was written into the lease that the tenant was responsible for leaky taps, and had instructions on how to change a tap washer. Hot water failed, took 4 days to fix it in winter. It was not a small agent either. The lease also implied that in an emergency get it fixed and you will be reimbursed. Burst water pipe in the house at night so she gets it fixed asap thinking that was an emergency, but the wording was ambiguous so they weaseled out again. Dodgy brick pier that blew over in a wind storm ? There are some bad tenants, but there would be more dodgy land-lords.

This is where an ethical code of conduct would be a good thing to include on a lease agreement for both tenants and landlords. Whether that can be imposed in a court of law is another matter.

That said, I have seen some incredibly onerous lease contracts made heavily in favor of the landlord in the attempt to scare a lessee into treating the property like Buckingham Palace or sacred land.

But guess what, you can as the potential lessee get it changed and reworded or removed if both parties agree. The down side to this is getting solicitors involved with the lease arrangement and it's vocabulary and then issuing a worded document for it to be modified so that the terms are made more fairly.

This is of course for commercial leases mainly but can be for some domestic leases depending on the scope of the property. It's whether or not you want to dig deep and get the legal side of things involved to make sure a contract you are willing to sign is drawn fairly.

[creative]

Originally Posted by BFGasUte

Hello,

Most landlords and estate agents are dodgy so and so's always ready to screw the tenant over, and expect the tenant to do illegal things anyway. My GF was in a rental because of a delay with her house, and it was written into the lease that the tenant was responsible for leaky taps, and had instructions on how to change a tap washer. Hot water failed, took 4 days to fix it in winter. It was not a small agent either. The lease also implied that in an emergency get it fixed and you will be reimbursed. Burst water pipe in the house at night so she gets it fixed asap thinking that was an emergency, but the wording was ambiguous so they weaseled out again. Dodgy brick pier that blew over in a wind storm ? There are some bad tenants, but there would be more dodgy land-lords.

Did they read the lease before they signed it?

Whilst there are bad landlords and tenants its the mis informed people that think they know their rights are what the problem is. Agents usually just get the bum deal because they are the people in the middle. Property management is not about looking after houses anymore, Its about negotiating between two parties whilst trying to follow some very one sided laws which dont always make sense.

Then if it does go to tribunal and they rule an agent has to carry out that ruling so one party will be blaming the agents no matter what.

A residential lease can be changed without solicitors etc so long as all parties agree and whatever is changed doesnt contradict the Tenancy Act in that state.

[BFGasUte]

Hello,

Many things are well and fine, but if you need a property in a hurry, you are over a barrel a bit. They checked the rental history of my GF and asked about her Dog. He lives with me, it seems they want it all their own way. There has to be a bit of give and take, like anything. Not sure, ( a few years since I read this ) but if a sewer blocked they wanted to charge the tenant if they thought too much toilet paper was used. The S bend is smaller than the pipe, so if it gets out of the Pan, it will keep going. Roots in the sewer is why there will be a blockage. Not the fault of the tenant.

Now, the connection to bottled Gas is a " diagnostic " thing as opposed to an alteration. Let us not forget that a licenced Tradies makes mistakes. Many are incompetent, and nothing bad happened. Same as when you drive a Car somewhere and arrive safely. IMO it is the same as connecting a hose to a tap, or plugging in an extension lead. An alteration is installing a Dog door in the laundry door.

[aussiblue]

the connection to bottled Gas is a " diagnostic " thing as opposed to an alteration

In whose dictionary; fair suck of the sauce bottle! Whatever the view on how serious or dangerous it is, it is an alteration however minor you might think it is.

[creative]

Originally Posted by BFGasUte

Hello,

Many things are well and fine, but if you need a property in a hurry, you are over a barrel a bit. They checked the rental history of my GF and asked about her Dog. He lives with me, it seems they want it all their own way. There has to be a bit of give and take, like anything. Not sure, ( a few years since I read this ) but if a sewer blocked they wanted to charge the tenant if they thought too much toilet paper was used. The S bend is smaller than the pipe, so if it gets out of the Pan, it will keep going. Roots in the sewer is why there will be a blockage. Not the fault of the tenant.

Nope, you will be amazed at what tenants put down toilets/drains. If it is found to be roots then the tenant isnt liable. Just like if the mains keeps tripping due to an appliance a they use drawing to much current, the tenent is liable for the callout.

A landlord has every right to have it his way. Renting a property out is about minimizing the risk for them.

The owner, in the op's case, did the right thing by reporting what he had done as he is trying to minimize his own risk and liabilty. Its unfortunate that the OP got found out but thats the chance you take with a rental property.

And if you as a tenant dont agree with the agent or the landlord... thats what tribunal is for.

And yes, my job is Business Development Manager and Property Management in NSW.

[Eaturbo]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

What did you really expect posting on here? That everyone would side with you and blame the big bad corporate?

You need to accept what you did was illegal and immoral. Until you can do that you will keep getting members pointing it out to you.

Was it dangerous? Don't know, don't care, because it's irrelevant.

You might want to read the thread before you embarrass yourself anymore. I have mentioned several times that i now know what i did was wrong. Its the lack of anybody being bothered to help and people being prosecuted for something that nearly kept a secret. And as far as dangerous goes, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that both 9kg systems would rate at the same risk if not the bbq at a higher risk. How many 30 year old gas bbqs are out there in a very sad state of repair.