• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Complex's Washer/Dryer/Water Heater on my meter, what's my recourse?

alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
I just found out (two months of over $100 electric bills on a 1br apartment) that the washer, dryer and water heater for the 4 unit apartment complex (2 1 bedrooms and 2 2 bedrooms) is on my meter.

My rent is cheap $500 and the place is nice so I really wouldn't be complaining except I have to put $1 in to wash and $1 in to dry to use the machines.

Anyone have dealt with this kind of issue?

Palm Beach County, Florida is my law jurisdiction.

Thanks

Chris
 
Well the bill was over $100 so that alone told me something was up....

I turned off everything in my apartment....meter stopped (or it was moving incredibly slow).

Put a dollar in the dryer and started it up and my meter hauled a$$...turned of dryer...stopped, turned back on and it hauled a$$ again.

 
This doesn't sound right. How has the landlord responded? You should not need to be paying for all those utilities - where the washer, dryer and water heater are used by the other tenants.

It kind of sounds like the complex was wired based on the assumption that the utilities would be included in the rental price. Now, the utilities are paid by the tenants - and you are stuck with the "extra" equipment on your circuits.

Sorry to hear this. 🙁
 
Not only go for the back-bills, but ensure they pay you interest for it, too. It's money that you didn't have to invest because you were being over-charged for the utilities. 🙁
 
unless agreed to in your lease, it's theft. You should be reimbursed and the landlord should immediately have this corrected. He HAD to know that this was occurring but he will probably feign ignorance.

recourse? A lawyer may be in order if he doesn't compensate in a manner that fully reimburses you.
 
He is a nice guy (maybe because I am picking up the tab 😉) but my gut instinct tells me to sit in his parking space with my club and spend the night in jail. 🙂

The apartment is a great deal, mile from the intercoastal/beach....straight down the road. Close to everything....it's small but the layout is perfect....I want an older house to fix up but the market is too saturated with investors...once stock gets back up they are going to go back in to more aggressive investments.

I'd have been cool him telling me, 'ok it's $500 but the only way I can get the utilities to work is putting your apartment on the meter....or I will give you $10 in quarters a month because of this.

I have only been here 2 months, but I like the place and have invested a bit of time and money (mostly time) building and rewiring stuff to my likeing.

He lives next door....I just don't want to start a war on my home ground.
 
He lives next door....I just don't want to start a war on my home ground.
Click to expand...

no need to. ask him to drop by, show him exactly what you described and ask him what is he going to do. he's busted. if he gives you grief, offer to call the utility company and see what they can do. there's no way he's going to cry too loudly.. he's wrong and he knows it.
 
Tiles....yeah I figured though $10 is my usage in 'fees' for the machines. I'd be willing to pay the utilities....but I don't want to have to get freaking quarters every month....

y2.....I talked to them already hoping for an easy solution....not their call though...they recommended contacting an attorney. They only read the meters not enforce the law of what's on the meter....if it was tampered with then they could do something....but since the machines are attached to my circuit breaker panel it's not their issue...the meter is reading what is on it correctly.

 
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Tiles....yeah I figured though $10 is my usage in 'fees' for the machines. I'd be willing to pay the utilities....but I don't want to have to get freaking quarters every month....

y2.....I talked to them already hoping for an easy solution....not their call though...they recommended contacting an attorney. They only read the meters not enforce the law of what's on the meter....if it was tampered with then they could do something....but since the machines are attached to my circuit breaker panel it's not their issue...the meter is reading what is on it correctly.
Click to expand...

There you have it. Flip off your circuit breakers.
 
I'm not sure how much those machines are being used, but I'm willing to gamble you are paying $40 or more for those things. You are paying for all showers in the morning, hot water during cooking and daily use, and all laundry service that is run for the 4 units. You need to get this money back. Talk to the landlord. If that doesn't work, you can sue for theft and have it rectified in a court. A free month's rent wouldn't be out of the question...especially if they are somewhat low on residents.
 
<Johnny_Cochran>If the circuit box is not locked, then you must reroute!</Johnny_Cochran>.

heheheh j/k

Seriously, it is Friday. Why not have a chat with him? You shouldn't be expected to pay for other people's electricity (basically what you are doing every time they use the W/D.) I'm sure a calm, polite chat will set things right.
 
Why not give him the benefit of the doubt so he has a way to satisfy you without making him look like a thief?

Just say "Hey, I'd like to show you something you won't believe - somehow, the washer, dryer and water heater ended up connected to MY electric meter!" Don't make it sound like you are assuming he knew about it.
 
Originally posted by: kranky
Why not give him the benefit of the doubt so he has a way to satisfy you without making him look like a thief?

Just say "Hey, I'd like to show you something you won't believe - somehow, the washer, dryer and water heater ended up connected to MY electric meter!" Don't make it sound like you are assuming he knew about it.
Click to expand...

Good idea Kranky, the social engineering aspect I ignored (too many things going on today, My wifes dr's appointments this morning for the INS interview this month, my DSL may get turned off if Digital (my backbone) decides against fixing the bad card in the miniram (which is BS), and no couch or kitchen table yet)

I know I am paying for about 32-36 loads of laundry assuming 2 loads per week per apartment (and +1 per week for a 2nd tenant in the 2BR)...that alone is about $48-72 per month. If i got a supply of quarters I'd be happy....$600 for a nice 1 bedroom here is still a good deal.

It is a brand new breaker box (everyone else is on fuse) and the landlord is handy but only 'dangerously' so 🙂....he may have not thought it out.

I will do that angle....I will say we were washing clothes and on my downtime decided to kill my breaker to replace a couple plugs (I did replace all the plugs and switches in my apartment after having to R&R a PC system for a friend that had a plug wiring in reverse or something else fuxored...electrictian solved it, he didn't want me to open up the plug cover/wall plate and have the 'wall fall apart'
rolleye.gif
).



 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top