Around 11,000 households in Ireland have effectively no consumer protection for their heating bills, Dublin Live can reveal.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities was appointed regulator of the district heating sector in December. However, the CRU has to finish developing a "regulatory framework" before it can begin protecting customers.
District heating is a system whereby residents of an apartment block purchase heat - not fuel - from a supplier. The heat is usually produced in a centralised location by burning gas or fossil fuels.
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The shocking figures come as the many struggle to pay their heating and electricity bills which have skyrocketed in the cost of living crisis. Dublin Live previously reported on a 565% increase on the heating bill of two women on fixed incomes who live in an apartment block managed by an Approved Housing Body.
Karen Butler-Lynch, who lives on disability allowance, and pensioner Anette Manning went to the Commission of Regulation for Utilities, when they got a €815 heating bill for a four week period. The pair were told to "seek a resolution" with their provider as the CRU has not finished developing the framework to protect this section of consumers.
The CRU was appointed the regulator of the "district heating sector" in December last year. They told Karen and Anette: "the CRU is beginning to recruit staff and work on developing measures to deliver its new functions in district heating.
"At this time, we would suggest that you raise a complaint with your provider to seek a resolution." There are an estimated 11,000 households in Anette and Karen's position, according to the Department of Energy.
A spokeswoman said the Department "understands that the number of households that are connected to group heating schemes stands at approximately 11,000, representing a very small proportion of household heating in Ireland."
She added that a "regulatory framework" has to be developed before the CRU can protect consumers. "The Department is currently liaising with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to ensure the development of an appropriate regulatory framework for district heating, which the Government plans to facilitate at scale in Ireland, to include regulation of group heating schemes."
The CRU told Dublin Live "it will take a number of months" for the regulatory framework to be established. A spokesman said: "Given the broad scope of the sector and the requirement to establish this new function, it will take a number of months before the regulatory framework is fully established."
"The CRU’s remit will cover, among other areas, the registration of suppliers, meter supply and replacement, transparency/accuracy of billing, the minimum provision of information on bills and dispute/customer complaint function. However, the CRU will not have a legal remit on price regulation."
Karen Butler-Lynch told Dublin Live she is "not surprised" that so many consumers have been left without protection.
She said: "I know this is just word salad. They just keep pushing us on from Billy to Jack and meanwhile the bills keep coming.
"It is more than disappointing but I am not surprised."
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