Electricity Bills from landlords

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Noori Ismail

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Hi everyone so we live on a small holding in Lanseria and our landlord has three tenants on the property and he splits the electricity bill between the three of us. I dont find this acceptable any more as one of the tenants has a business running on the small holding. I can never get a straight answer about the actual bill or if there are separate meters. Can I insist on this and also can I insist on having my own meter installed. The electricity has just gone up 12.4%, my landlord has increased it by 22%. Is this legal
 
I think that it is illegal if he is re-selling electricity for a higher price than the expense that he is incurring.

What does your contract that you agreed to state?
 
gregmcc said:
Need to check your T&C's for your rental agreement. If you signed and agreed that electricitiy would be split between 3 houses then you are out of luck.

How long have you been paying for electricity like this?
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There is nothing that says I am paying a split bill, just I will be charged for my electricity consumed at the going rate
 
gregmcc said:
Need to check your T&C's for your rental agreement. If you signed and agreed that electricitiy would be split between 3 houses then you are out of luck.

How long have you been paying for electricity like this?
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I have been there three years and at first I paid a fluctuating amount of between R1500 and R1800, then that increased to R2200 - R2500 last year, then this business opened in February and now the landlord is sending a bill of R3400
 
RonSwanson said:
I think that it is illegal if he is re-selling electricity for a higher price than the expense that he is incurring.

What does your contract that you agreed to state?
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Just that I will pay for the electricity used at the going municipal rate
 
Tell him you want to start seeing the usage and how you are billed? If he is overcharging then he is going to end up in hot water.
 
gregmcc said:
Tell him you want to start seeing the usage and how you are billed? If he is overcharging then he is going to end up in hot water.
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What can I do about it. Can I insist on having my own meter installed?
 
Perhaps get one of those usage monitors installed to track the amount of electricity being used.

There is an additional problem though, the more electricity a property uses the more it costs. So just by sharing a connection you will be paying more than you should.

You should push for the owner to get 3 prepaid metres installed. Its better in the long term for the owner as its one less way he can lose money.
 
Noori Ismail said:
No not at all
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Then write him a letter, telling him:
1. You wish to pay for electricity that you have used, as per the written agreement, where you assumed that there was an individual meter;
2. His method of determining what you have used isn't acceptable, and you therefore dispute the billing;
3. Give him 21 days to prove that you have used the electricity that he has billed you for, failing which you will launch a dispute at RHT;
4. You will tentatively place the electricity money in a interest bearing account pending dispute resolution;
5. If the dispute is not resolved in 21 days, you will take the matter to the RHT for an adjudication order.
 
Nerfherder said:
Perhaps get one of those usage monitors installed to track the amount of electricity being used.

There is an additional problem though, the more electricity a property uses the more it costs. So just by sharing a connection you will be paying more than you should.

You should push for the owner to get 3 prepaid metres installed. Its better in the long term for the owner as its one less way he can lose money.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your assistance
 
I had a similar problem in our previous rental. I complained many times but was ignored. Obviously because the rich was happy the bills get split. Decided to move and must be on Prepaid. Went from paying over R3000 for electricity to now paying between R500-R1000 max. This includes a 10% service charge from the prepaid provider.

Never again will a rent where there is no prepaid.
 
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