Why should i pay?

[ladycasshmere]

Recently I wrote to you guys in the forum about my recent problems with comed and being overcharged for my bills. Everything in my unit is electric. Comed keeps telling me thats why my bill is high because its all on electric. It's a bunch of crap. I went and stood outside and this time I really watched my meter. It would go slow for a while then really I mean really speed. I had someone look at the electric heater. My motor is going out and it is old. The repair person I spoke with told me that this is whats causing my bill to rocket. This issue is not my fault as a renter yet I am being charged almost the price of rent. why should I be responsible for this and it sucks because we are under lease until August. I think are landlord is at fault and shoulg give us a month off of rent. I tried convincing comed that I dont use that mch electricity and they are tone deaf and some of the reps are rude. This month bill is 570. Why should I pay?

[Beverly10]

Recently I wrote to you guys in the forum about my recent problems with comed and being overcharged for my bills. Everything in my unit is electric. Comed keeps telling me thats why my bill is high because its all on electric. It's a bunch of crap. I went and stood outside and this time I really watched my meter. It would go slow for a while then really I mean really speed. I had someone look at the electric heater. My motor is going out and it is old. The repair person I spoke with told me that this is whats causing my bill to rocket. This issue is not my fault as a renter yet I am being charged almost the price of rent. why should I be responsible for this and it sucks because we are under lease until August. I think are landlord is at fault and shoulg give us a month off of rent. I tried convincing comed that I dont use that mch electricity and they are tone deaf and some of the reps are rude. This month bill is 570. Why should I pay?

Try taking your issue to a local news station in your area, it can't hurt and they might be able to help you, it is a "Human Interest" problem.

[tjshorty]

You as a tenant have rights also.  Although I am not sure of where to go for this problem you might ask a lawyer to look into your rights or talk with the county attorney, he might be able to point you in the right direction.

[angsilva2000]

that suck the landlord just wants more money form you.
u shouldnt pay i would report him.

[mc1962]

Maybe you can call your local TV station and explain to them your situation and they will bring some attention to it.  Might be worth a try. 

[Valerie1979]

you need to file a formal complaint before just not paying your bill..... this might help buy you some time before the company takes legal action or cuts services, etc.

You should also make sure you get everything in writing from anyone and everyone you speak to

[oldbuddy]

If you don't pay the bill they cut the power off, how will that help you? They have you by the short hairs, so it's best to deal with them in a nice way.

[ladycasshmere]

Good point everyone I was just really angry that day. I really meant that someone should pay but not me. my lanIm trying to see if I can get my landlord to give me a month off since it was his faulty furnace that caused the bill spike. It completely broke down on us and we were freezing I feel he owes us something and that way I will have enough to pay off the bill.

[jordandog]

Since I have no idea where you live, I am not sure what options you have for the issue with your landlord and the faulty furnace. I know here, there are both local and state offices that will deal with complaints/issues of this kind. Landlords generally have a set of standards they are required to follow as far as safety, living conditions, unresolved problems they are responsible for, etc., in return for keeping their  buildings as rentals, keeping tenants, and having the rent money paid. Maybe you could call your city offices to start with and explain to them what has happened and they might be able to tell you just what you need to do. You do, after all, have documentation with your huge and sudden overuse with the electrical spike so that is on your side.

This is the best I can come up with, but hope it might give you an idea of where to start. I agree - do NOT go on the warpath, but do NOT let the landlord walk on you or get away with not maintaining the property. I am fairly sure you don't have a money tree to pay your rent and bills with, right? Good tenants are hard to come by, I know that from past experience as a landlord. If you are a good one, pay your rent on time, then they should do what is necessary and right to keep you. I prided myself on taking care of my properties and my tenants, so I was lucky to have great ones. Fair is fair though. Good luck and I hope you get this resolved quickly. By the way, if you DO have a $$$$ tree, could you send me some seeds......

[JuneBug1985]

We bought our place but we actually have the same problem.  We dont know what is doing it but our bills have been ab out the same. Good luck figuring something about.

[trucktina]

My family owns rental property, so I didn't really appreciate someone's comment that the landlord is obviously trying to get more money out of the tenant. Property values have gone down a lot in the past few years, so no one's out here rolling in dough!

What has your landlord said when you ask him about replacing the furnace? I would bet that he can't afford to replace it right now. You have to put yourself in someone else's shoes sometimes... That said, he will probably want to work with you instead of having to get a new tenant. It costs more than people realize to attract and retain good renter.