Re: Stealing electricity - Landlord Forum thread 207646

Re: Stealing electricity by Anonymous on August 30, 2010 @20:48

Erik, you made a damgerous suggestion. You have no right to go interrupt the power in any unit. You could cause a major issue for innocent tenants. Yes, you might determine an illegal user. But you will piss off either both sets of tenants or one set, the innocent ones. The best idea is to have the power company check for an illegal hookup. The LL here may not be a certified, licensed, professional electrician like you are. Erik, it has not been established yet that the tenants are actually stealing power. How can you say to evict them without any proof? You are mistaking heresay for facts!

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Re: Stealing electricity by ERIC on August 30, 2010 @21:31

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First off, you are an possibly uninformed.

I said that the tenant that is concerned someone is stealing the power can shut off their own power. If the other tenants lights go out, they are stealing power.

Once that is determined, like in 5 minutes, the tenant who is not stealing the power can turn it back on, and call the police. This is a criminal offense, and should be dealt with as such.

Re: Stealing electricity by Anonymous on August 30, 2010 @23:35

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No you didn't say that. Think about it, you are speaking to the landlord here, not the tenant. The landlord is the audience here not the tenant. Hence: LPA

Since they are the OP you told the landlord: "Or wait until evening. See lights in both sides. Then flip main breaker in the unit that thinks power is being stolen. If both units go off, they are stealing power."

Second off you are a Bozo.

Re: Stealing electricity by ERIC on August 31, 2010 @07:59

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I appologize if I wasn't clear. I assume you would at least call the power company to see if both units had power on before doing anything anyway.

If one unit had power off, and still had lights, that's probably enough to call the cops anyway.

And, are you a member here, or a free loader?

Re: Stealing electricity

Re: Stealing electricity by ERIC on August 31, 2010 @08:25

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You don't need to be licensed to flip a main breaker, have have the tenant do it.

If the landlord wanted to do it, flipping the main breaker would need access to the building, which would require notification.

But, lights on next door, when they do not have power on, would be enough to call the police. Going the extra step with the breakers would confirm it.

If they hooked up power before the meter, so it does not impact the electricity bill, it is the power companies problem, not yours. They will discover it soon, or you can help with a call.

I have seen that in some other landlord cases. It's not pretty when power is shut off and your water comes from a well.

Re: Stealing electricity