A better deal for your communal energy supply

We’re looking at ways to get a better deal for the gas and electricity, which is supplied to the communal areas, like the stairways, corridors, shared kitchens and outside lighting, within our buildings.

Our energy contracts end in September 2025, but we’re already looking at how we can get the best value for money and keep the costs as low as possible by starting a new procurement process.

We've written to customers to provide them with lots of information about this. 

As part of the new energy contract, we’ll be buying energy directly from the energy market.

This contract will cover the gas and electricity supply to communal indoor and outdoor areas, including estate lighting where applicable, but will not include the individual energy supply.

If customers are on a heat network, where they share a communal gas boiler, this will also apply to them. 

Energy services are different to all of the others that we buy. Normally, for example, when carrying out investment work to your home or apartment block, we would send a Section 20 consultation letter to let customers know that we’re looking to secure new services.

We would run a lengthy tender, and then customers know when we are ready to award the contracts.

Energy providers are different. Their prices change by the hour, so we have to act quickly to secure the best prices. This is because the global cost of gas is constantly changing.

Because of this, we simply don’t have time to consult properly before we buy our gas and electricity. We can’t comply with Section 20 if we want to act quickly and secure the best prices. Instead, we’re applying to the First Tier Tribunal (part of HM Tribunals and Courts Service) for dispensation (to be exempt) from the Section 20 process.

We’re proposing to start the new three-year energy contract on 1 October 2025.

What happens next?

We’ll make an application to the Tribunal and put a copy of the application and supporting documents on this web page. 

We’ll use this page to provide updates on the application and confirm any Tribunal decisions or directions.

Customers will receive a letter from HM Courts and Tribunal Services detailing the application, any directions we’ve been given and details of how they can respond to the application if they'd like to. You don’t have to respond, and if you’re happy with our proposal you can just keep the documents for your information.

To receive a paper copy of the application, any other documents or to ask questions about this application please either: 

Frequently asked questions 

Download a copy of the frequently asked questions.