LL giving us a bogus charge

[CarlJay89]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa

Alright so the company that leases the apartment I live in just gave us a bogus light bill. We have not had a light bill in excess of $25 in the last 5 months even while using the a.c.
During the month of Dec. Both myself and my roommate went back home on the 6th. We unplugged every appliance in the apartment before leaving. The only plugged in appliance in the entire place was the fridge. Then my roommate shut off the heat without telling me ( which we are not supposed to do while leaving for long periods of time) How should we confront our LL about this? They claim we owe $106 for the month of Dec. And that we used 5 times as many kwh. ( 1400 is what they say we used. In 6 days)

 

[Gail in Georgia]

How is the electrical bill handled? Is it simply an estimate given by management each month or is it actually read by your local electric company?

Frankly, a bill of just $25 a month is really unbelievable low (and especially in view of running air conditioning). Has management been "estimating" the usage for the past 5 months?

When you get the bill does it include the reading from the meter and if so, do you know how to read this meter?

Gail

 

[CarlJay89]

The first two months that we rented the LL didn't.even know any electricity was being used in the apartment and paid it. Then the last two months they have added a charge to our rent for the usage of the electricity. Our LL told us we had to get the electric in our name last month so we did. The LL paid last months bill for us and simply put it on the rent. Each month that electric was added to our rent it was no more than $25 and our LL mailed us paper work from the city showing our monthly usage. It quadrupled the month we were gone.

 

[Gail in Georgia]

Keep in mind that in most areas, the electric company does not necessarily "read" the meters every month; often the bills are estimates of use.

If you have the actual meter bill, it should reflect the beginning and ending amount for the month; check your meter to confirm this. If there is a discrepancy between the two (and this would be if final reading on the bill is HIGHER than what your current meter reads) you can request the electric company to come out again and reread the meter.

This final bill from the landlord/management may also include the two months where they, not you, paid your bill.

Quite honestly, paying only $25 a month for electricity (especially with air conditioning use) is going to be an error.

Gail

 

[davew128]

Frankly, a bill of just $25 a month is really unbelievable low (and especially in view of running air conditioning).

Mine is $25/month and the heat (as much as I don't really use it) is electric.

 

[Gail in Georgia]

Sounds like you enjoy sitting in the dark quite a bit; roasting dinner in the fireplace.

Gail