Ever heard of this? Budget buster?

[squirrel]

You agreed to move into a building with shared utilities. Who on earth do you think you are to waltz into a meeting an propose that it change because you are annoyed by it?

When I was in school, I always took "shared" metered buildings because I liked to run the A/C constantly, and it made my utility bill cheaper.

You should have thought things through before you decided to move into a building that shares the utility bills among units.

Well the prices that were told or given to him/her were at least half of what is actually being paid. Not sure if the summer months might be what was quoted but it's hard to balance a budget if it cost double or more than what you are told.

 

[dakcp2001]

You agreed to move into a building with shared utilities. Who on earth do you think you are to waltz into a meeting an propose that it change because you are annoyed by it?

When I was in school, I always took "shared" metered buildings because I liked to run the A/C constantly, and it made my utility bill cheaper.

You should have thought things through before you decided to move into a building that shares the utility bills among units.

You're joking right? Or did you just publicly admit that you think we should all pay for you?

 

[Alexander]

You're joking right? Or did you just publicly admit that you think we should all pay for you?

No, I don't think there was a joke at all. The poster indicated what happens when people choose to move into a shared utilities building. There are clearly people in that building benefiting from the OP paying part of their bills and they know it! And yes, honestly, if you are willing to accept those terms on an apartment, well......In my opinion, not a real smart move! Sorry OP, but I think you're being used, and I honestly don't know if there is any recourse except to move.

 

[MAH4546]

You're joking right? Or did you just publicly admit that you think we should all pay for you?

No, I am not joking.

When somebody moves into a building where utilities are split among residents, they agree to those terms. It's that simple. It's not that I expect that people "pay for me," but when somebody moves into a building with X units, and agrees that the utilities are to be paid for by 1/X, then that's what they agreed to.

I preferred shared utilities because I don't really care about conserving energy and enjoy running my A/C high and cold, so I benefited from it when I was in college.

If one does not like shared utilities, the answer is simple: don't move to a building with shared utilities. The beauty of the free market.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

My mother lives in a shared utilities building and it is like the OP said in that it is based on 1 or 2 bedroom apartments. She is not home very often at all..Anyways the point is she went to the management and they agreed to do a credit for her. I think it was a 200.00 1 time credit and to not charge her a pet rent on her cat for following contract year.

I think the other issue here is that management gave a estimate of half of what the bills are running and on fixed or limited budgets that is really tough to swallow. I know for my mom that is really rough.

Good luck op!!!

 

[hambirg]

In my state that would be illegal. . .individual meters or a set amount included in the rent. At least that way you know you are only paying for what you use or a set, predetermined amount.

Check your state laws.

 

[Suz D]

Wow, I've never heard of this. Certainly no incentive for high electricity users to conserve, since they are being sort of subsidized. I don't think I would have moved in under those terms.

But...here's a thought. Can you request to see the bill for the complex? Not saying this is what happening, but if the landlord pads each bill just a bit, what a nice little windfall for him/her/corporation.

That was my thought as well. You are paying to heat the common areas (if you have inside hallways or a lobby) which should be the landlords responsibility (as well as if you have a pool).

You may have some recourse if the lease says the utilities usually run $50.00 month. If the landlord is doing something shady, he/she will not want anyone checking into it. I would definately ask to see the actual electric bill.

 

[nordkin]

Also depending on the state and rate structure the electric that is master metered for a building is on a commercial rate which is higher than a residential rate. I am a Metering Supervisor in Virginia and that is how Virginia works.

 

[angierae]

I lived in a complex like that in high school, only it was the gas for the heat that was on the shared meter. My mother always complained that our heating bills were higher there than they were anywhere else we ever lived.

But that's just how it is. I would look into moving once your lease is up if it bothers you.

 

[dakcp2001]

I read through the entire lease and it does not include the "shared electric" in the lease.There is a vague sentence that states "electric bills will be sent by "complex name" on the 15 of the month. The sales rep wrote in "approx 50 per month" next to the sentence. I am from another state so I have never heard of this. I really love this apartment but this is a dealbreaker for me. We only did a 6 month lease, so we are here a few more months then we have to move or decide.

I have gotten 2 responses from people in my bldg who are interested in individual meters. I cant do much more until Monday when the office is open and I call call the PUC again for some clarification.

In my former state, this type of situation does not exist.

 

[si-am]

I lived in a place like that where water was "shared." And it wasn't broken down into places with multiple bathrooms and washer/dryers and those without. So my small 1bd/1bth was paying the same as a 2 bedroom with 2 baths, multiple people, AND laundry!

 

[dakcp2001]

No, I am not joking.

When somebody moves into a building where utilities are split among residents, they agree to those terms. It's that simple. It's not that I expect that people "pay for me," but when somebody moves into a building with X units, and agrees that the utilities are to be paid for by 1/X, then that's what they agreed to.

I preferred shared utilities because I don't really care about conserving energy and enjoy running my A/C high and cold, so I benefited from it when I was in college.

If one does not like shared utilities, the answer is simple: don't move to a building with shared utilities. The beauty of the free market.

I just went over the lease, it does not specify those terms. I am going to leave a legacy of change at this complex. Those that drain the utilities will be paying their FAIR share soon. Now I am on a mission. Moochers beware!

 

[cm8]

I just went over the lease, it does not specify those terms. I am going to leave a legacy of change at this complex. Those that drain the utilities will be paying their FAIR share soon. Now I am on a mission. Moochers beware!

( you when walking to your apartment)

 

[SandrA9810]

It's funny when a non-conservative person goes from a flat rate billing to a metered billing... and then they're all pissed that the bill is so high.

My last apartment was going to a flat rate water bill. In the area, the electric company paired with the water company, so the bill came all in one. They decided to have one meter from the water company, and a secondary meter reader company come in and do individual readings. The bill was a few dollars more than the last apartment, but 1 more person. Before I moved out, they sent out notices that in June (after the end of the lease), that it would go to flat rate billing depending on the size of the unit. It would've doubled the current rate of about 20-25$ per month to 50$ per month on a 3 bedroom unit.

It's insane how much water and electricity people can use. What made it so difficult to turn a light switch off? Or not take 5hr showers?

 

[squirrel]

Today I walked by a house with the hose on. It was left at the end of the driveway and water was going onto the sidewalk and road. What a waste-it wasn't even watering the grass-not that it would even need water at this time of year.

 

[Swimalie]

I lived in a place like that where water was "shared." And it wasn't broken down into places with multiple bathrooms and washer/dryers and those without. So my small 1bd/1bth was paying the same as a 2 bedroom with 2 baths, multiple people, AND laundry!

I lived in one like that as well. Plus sewage. The garbage men weighted our dumpster and divided it up by the number of units. So if someone didn't want to pay more, they just dumped it in someone else's dumpster about 100 feet away!

 

[Alexander]

Today I walked by a house with the hose on. It was left at the end of the driveway and water was going onto the sidewalk and road. What a waste-it wasn't even watering the grass-not that it would even need water at this time of year.

Maybe they were draining a swimming pool or flooded basement? Just saying....

 

[kaytieeldr]

Maybe they were draining a swimming pool or flooded basement? Just saying....

That's what I was thinking too - well, the flooded basement, anyway. Pool never even entered my mind (it's been in the thirties here ).

 

[IndianaPrincess]

No, I am not joking.

When somebody moves into a building where utilities are split among residents, they agree to those terms. It's that simple. It's not that I expect that people "pay for me," but when somebody moves into a building with X units, and agrees that the utilities are to be paid for by 1/X, then that's what they agreed to.

I preferred shared utilities because I don't really care about conserving energy and enjoy running my A/C high and cold, so I benefited from it when I was in college.

If one does not like shared utilities, the answer is simple: don't move to a building with shared utilities. The beauty of the free market.

When Rosa Parks got on that city bus, she agreed to the terms - if a white man wanted her seat, she would move to the back of the bus.

What a terrible world we would live in if people weren't willing to stand up and fight if they saw an injustice, whether it be discrimination or unfair billing. The beauty of the free country.

 

[dimimi]

I think you are taking a chance. If just your building has a meter, you take a chance that someone will run up your bill and it could go higher. The one thing that could help is that if the complex is charging you for their lights/pool heat, etc..., you would no longer be paying for that!