Mysterious money drain... SOLVED!

[billybob]

I've lived in my apartment for 1 year now, and I was always curious why my electric bill was so high. I live in a 1 BR Apt., with gas heat (paid by landlord), gas stove, and window air conditioner, which i use sparingly.

So this month, with no AC at all, and myself being conscious of turning off the lights, etc., my electric bill was $71!

I had always suspected that the coin-operated washer/dryer in the basement, that is shared between 4 apartments, was connected to my electric bill.

So today I finally confirmed it. I went into the basement and shut off all the power to my apartment at the fusebox. I went into the laundry room, and there was no power!!

AHA!

So, I told my Landlord and she agreed we should do something about this, we are going to discuss it on monday.

My question to all of you... How much should I be refunded?
Assuming:
-1 year (actually 14 months) of overpaying on electric...
-the monthly (ongoing) cost of electric laundry for 4 apartments...

How much seems right? My estimate would probably be between 20 and 30 a month, does this seem right?

Here is my electric bill history. My friends tell me their electric bill is usually 35-40/month...

$72.70 4/26/2006
$59.69 3/16/2006
$69.33 2/27/2006
$72.75 1/26/2006
$57.80 12/27/2005
$58.44 11/28/2005
$96.40 10/28/2005

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!!
-billy

[PRICEPLUS]

From what you have said it appears that 30 per month might be reasonable. Keep your options open and see what the landlord offers.
The landlord has been getting money fronm the coin operation and saving money on electric. How much money has the landlord been getting for use of the machines? Best of luck in your negotiations!

[billybob]

the landlord doesnt own the machines, she just allows a company to put them there so she doesnt hafta worry about buying and maintaining them.

[PRICEPLUS]

Well the company made some sort of deal with her concerning electric. You need to speak to her about just what it was. She is getting a cut. She is not running a charity.

[SuzeOFan]

What you need to do is take a bill from exactly one year ago and compare it to your current months' bill (without the extra drain on electric). That is the only way to know how much drain was placed on your electric bill. Because usage goes up and down depending on the time of year etc.

And really, if there's no way of knowing exactly, just work out some reasonable estimate to give to your landlady. And you have the proof of the amounts should there be any question. Sound reasonable?

[Savin4disney]

I live in a 2 bedroom apartment. My last electric bill was 36.00. Now I know I was leaving on the computer. I have an older freezer that I know costs between 8-10 a month to run. (Yep it is going once I can replace it).

Normally my electric is about 28 a month. But I am home a lot and have a teen. So 2 tvs running lights on in 2 rooms etc.

My friend in a one bedroom never home - runs about 20 a month.

My faucet had been dripping for 3 years. I recently fixed it. I did'nt know it was costing me money until I saw it on this site. Thanks to whoever posted it!

[lillyb]

You could wait til after the electric is not running from your apartment and then get a 'real' amount of what your electricity is costing you, minus the amount from your bill a year ago. You could also do this for a few months and get the averages of the difference of a few months.

Glad you found that and are able to cut your bill.

[debtfreeme]

ouch! So sorry to hear that. Hope the negotiations go well.

by the way, was the electric connected when you moved in and you just had to transfer it into your name? If your landlord knew and did not tell you in CA that would be illegal and they could be liable for a lot more than just the difference in your electric. I would ask the Land lord to get it off your account. COMPLETLY. If the other people who lived there found out she could be in a heap of legal trouble if they were not told in advance of their renting the apartment...disclosures are required by law so you know what you are responsible for. tread carefully on this one.

(mt grandparents owned apartment compelxes so i know only a little of the laws about this, but you HAVe to disclose everything in CA.)

[debtfreeme]

once you get it off then you can determine the difference between your bill and usage after one full month of her/him paying the electric bill and you paying your bill. That is the only way you can really know for sure.

What about your water? Is that part of rent or seperate account?

[billybob]

My landlord agreed to pay me $15 for each month. Also, she had an electrician switch the power for the W/D to her bill. So, it all worked out.
Thanks!

[boomeyers]

$15 is a rip off. She should at least have given you $30! She will figure that out once she starts getting the bills. It sounds like she is trying to be reasonable, but do'nt get taken advantage of!

[SuzeOFan]

I think your landlady is a fair-minded person and is trying to resolve the problem as best she can. I wouldn't go looking for more money. It isn't worth it. Be satisfied with something as opposed to nothing.

Glad you were able to find a reasonable solution to your problem!

[cbmeeks]

Maybe this has already been said but why not run the laundry for a month or two to determine how much EXTRA you were paying? If the laundry's electric bill is $50/month then that is how much they should refund you.