The Free Electricity Thread

[chicken247]

I am at my wit's end. I have not received an electricity usage account for 11 months dispite getting the local municipal manager to read the meter himself and sign to it's veracity. There is a montly item on the account for meterreading ( been done 4 times in 11 months ). I am paying about R 300 pm extra for when the bill hits and have opened a dedicated account where i save another R 300 pm for it. Is the system broken or have i discovered free electicity? What else can i do?

 

[Electric]

I am at my wit's end. I have not received an electricity usage account for 11 months dispite getting the local municipal manager to read the meter himself and sign to it's veracity. There is a montly item on the account for meterreading ( been done 4 times in 11 months ). I am paying about R 300 pm extra for when the bill hits and have opened a dedicated account where i save another R 300 pm for it. Is the system broken or have i discovered free electicity? What else can i do?

So are they not just estimating the reading because they can't get in maybe?
Or are you not being charged at all.

 

[LaraC]

I got all exited when I read the title, thought the Red Brigade blackmailed Eskom or something for free electricity. Talk about getting your hopes up for nothing.

Seriously though, I also don't get, do you pay for electricity some months and not for others?

 

[reactor_sa]

Glad I'm now part of ekhuruleni not city of joburg.... I remember the pain and suffering like it was just 3.5 years ago (literally) .... Lol

 

[chicken247]

So are they not just estimating the reading because they can't get in maybe?

I have had them on the property 4 times, i am always on the property in work hours.

Or are you not being charged at all.

I am not charged per unit used at all.

 

[Electric]

Going on my past experience, you can expect a hefty bill in the future which you will have to go and argue and then they'll put you on a monthly repayment scheme.

 

[chicken247]

Seriously though, I also don't get, do you pay for electricity some months and not for others?

I only pay a montly fee for the reading of the meter. I have never paid for a unit used. It is not itemized on the account at all ( like never).

 

[chicken247]

Going on my past experience, you can expect a hefty bill in the future which you will have to go and argue and then they'll put you on a monthly repayment scheme.

Hence the R300 per month paid extra on the account and the R 300 extra savings account. I have had a number of conspiracy theories going through my head lately, the top contender is : Is this maybe a way of getting the house repo'ed when to everyone's surprize i get a R 100k bill?

Edit: A very special combination of lazyness and incompetence doesn't explain this. Malicious intent does. I wonder if you could really go this far to try to drum up business in a no horse town?

 

[LaraC]

I only pay a montly fee for the reading of the meter. I have never paid for a unit used. It is not itemized on the account at all ( like never).

Have you considered installing a prepaid meter?

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Renting or own? If renting, maybe it's included in rent?

 

[RoboJedi]

Have you considered installing a prepaid meter?

Unfortunately you need a fully paid account with proof of meter and account payment before they do the pre paid ( i just dis mine last month)

 

[maumau]

Unfortunately you need a fully paid account with proof of meter and account payment before they do the pre paid ( i just dis mine last month)

That would be the way to get a bill then.

 

[chicken247]

Have you considered installing a prepaid meter?

I own the property.
I inquired about it, the municipality is only prepared to install if you are going to rent out the place. It will cost me R1000-, AND i will still have to pay the meter reading item of R 89- per month on my account. I then have to buy prepaid and sell to the renter. When i stop letting the place, they remove the prepaid meter. I kid you not! How they monitor this is unknown. It is a farcical system designed to milk people imho.

 

[maumau]

Eh? That sounds strange. I'm on prepaid and I own the property - jhb.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

I own the property.
I inquired about it, the municipality is only prepared to install if you are going to rent out the place. It will cost me R1000-, AND i will still have to pay the meter reading item of R 89- per month on my account. I then have to buy prepaid and sell to the renter. When i stop letting the place, they remove the prepaid meter. I kid you not! How they monitor this is unknown. It is a farcical system designed to milk people imho.

Rent your own place out to yourself then?

But good to see that you're saving money for this specific purpose should they present you with a $$$ electricity bill...