Comments on: Omg Electric Bill Is Nearly $600!!!!?

By: Enchantr

Enchantr — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:46:50 +0000

I really doubt that the hot tub could be using that much electricity, unless he leaves it running even when he’s not in it. If you’re using space heaters, those heaters can really use a lot of electricity, especially when there are several of them running all the time. You need to contact the city and get them to come out to do an inspection. The landlord will be cited for having an illegal apartment and failure to keep separate meters for the apartments. You are getting scammed by this landlord.

By: kong22

kong22 — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:42:58 +0000

Your not going to like my response, but here it go’s! The cost of running “energy efficient” oil filled electric heaters, far out weights the cost of running a hot tub. Where I live (south of Pittsburgh, where electric cost are lower than most other regions) it cost around $30-$40 per month to run the average size outdoor hot tub in the winter. The cost of heating lets say a 750 SQ FT apt, with the oil filled heaters could easily run in the $300 range per month. Electric cost much more to heat with then natural gas. The oil filled heater are only 20% more efficient than a regular heater. Think about this. The hot tub has a lot less water to heat compared to the amount of air you must heat in your apt. Plus, water retains heat much better than “air!”
Others have given you a lot of advice about checking your local laws, and I agree, you should. However, the only way to resolve this problem in short order is to move. Tell your landlady that you want her to release you from your lease. If she wont, Go to an attorney and get your free consultation, the bills not in your name, so you cant be held to it, but their are a ton of other things that could happen. Find out what they are. I know in Pa your not allowed to share utilities and if you do, the landlord can be held responsible for any unpaid portion.
You need legal advice, this is not the forum. I know a lot of people that do this “bill slitting” stuff, and I rarely see it go down without problems.
Current Landlord
I dont think that your going to end up with this great apartment, with the view that you could never afford, problem free, with the rent staying the same. Honestly, with you heating your place with electric, I think that he’s probably getting the short end of the stick. Electric is the most expensive form of heat there is. If you dont believe me, just call any heating specialist and ask. I have had many tenants that decided to heat their apartments with electric instead of gas. I tell them all the same thing. Why? Gas is cheaper! They always point out that their bill is so low. They never seem to realize these bills are estimates that dont estimate the apartment being heated with electric. When they see their actually reading their jaws drop because the overage is often in the thousands!

By: margie k

margie k — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:15:34 +0000

Okay, first off, the bill is not in your name so it is his responsibility. Secondly, why is he dictating to you what heat to use etc. he is not the landlord. So you are in the clear. He can blame you all he wants, if nothing is in writing as to your part of the bill each month then oh well. It ultimately is the landlord’s problem ( and fault for being too cheap to put in separate meters). But… the problem is that if the guy in the basement doesn’t pay the bill, the electric goes off for the entire property. If I were you I would look for another place to live and I would turn in the landlord for the illegal apartment. She/he does not deserve to be a landlord with this kind of nonsense going on.

By: kristi14

kristi14 — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:16:05 +0000

The bill is in his name….so only pay what you think is your responsibility!

By: The Dark Knight and Twilight Fan

The Dark Knight and Twilight Fan — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:30:01 +0000

you should not use that much eletricity

By: lee_webb

lee_webb — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:38:25 +0000

I would move out. Obviously your landlord isn’t going to change anything, so find a better place for you.

By: mzdrea08

mzdrea08 — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:22:42 +0000

wow…that is really messed up.. I feel for you.. If I were you I would try to get the landlady to get you and him separate bills…Good Luck!

By: Wrenchma

Wrenchma — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:58:23 +0000

Please email me about this problem. I don’t have time to answer this completely now but I do have a resource which might help

By: TJ516

TJ516 — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:19:10 +0000

If the bill is in his name unless you have a signed agreement you don’t have to pay. Unless you have a meter in your name or a binding agreement it’s not your bill.

By: Liz H

Liz H — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:48:31 +0000

hmm, I think I would look up the tenant/landlord laws in your state. What is your “normal” average winter heating bill? Request a copy of the bill from this time last year and compare. If it is a HUGE differnce, I would take it to a lawyer.