Yeah it is normal - you should shop around
key meters are much more expensive and there is only one without a standing charge altho' this ;
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3438851&page=1
implies there are more
this is how incidentally you get your landlord to pay some of your utility bill ( you go onto a meter system with a standing charge so you pay less per therm and then when you leave - he pays an unnegotiated standing charge during the void period (!) yay good one
and also accounts for modern leases saying - thou shalt not change utility provider
this is just modern living dee-jay
change to one without a standing charge
you are being ripped off and both your provider and you know it