Winter Electricity Bill - VICTORIA

nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 14:15
Last edited 07/10/2015 - 18:43

We just came out of a cold winter.

What is everyone's Electricity usage for this winter quarter and what is your dwelling type? Are you in Vic?

I tried to look it up online to see if there's any information on average electricity usage per winter quarter… can't seem to find much.

I live in an one bedroom apartment with my partner.

My electricity bill was $440 after 5% pay on time discount. (total of 1690kwh for the quarter)

Is this a lot?

Story of my life:

Renting 1 bed 1 bath 1 carpark.

Rent is $500 p/w bill included.

Landlord whinged that our bills are too high.

Our power bill was 440 for the quarter. Gas was 180 for 2 month.

Landlord's expectation is apparently:

$150 power bill for winter quarter.
$80 gas bill for two month.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • nocure on 07/10/2015 - 14:21

    $380 including $90 feed in discount… reverse AC on every night from 9pm to 6am.

    • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 14:43

      Woah, that is pretty good!!

      I only have reverse AC on from 8pm - 12am every week night.

      Weekend its 1pm - 11pm.

      • Gristy on 08/10/2015 - 10:39

        lol, theres your problem. and $180 on gas is massive for 1/2 people.

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 11:57

          Well, hot shower water uses gas, stove-top uses gas and we cook 6 out of 7 nights weekly.

          For someone that does not cook often, it may be huge.

          $180 for two months, I didn't think it's outrageous. It's pretty standard in my point of view. If landlord gone with another energy supplier they would get 18% off that amount, but they didn't. It's not my problem.

          Rent 500p/w for small space that is about 45sqm with all bills included - with the area average rent being $290-390 per week. Whatever the extra should cover landlord's bill anyway.

          Furthermore even if it's massive bill, it's written in the contract that all bills are included anyway.

        • gimli on 08/10/2015 - 19:55
          +2

          @nightfever:

          Bill Shorten maybe

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 20:54

          @Gimli: that pun though. Hahahaha. Good one!!

    • beaniecrazed2 on 08/10/2015 - 09:57

      What is a reverse AC?

      • diddy50 on 08/10/2015 - 14:19

        a split system air-con - the slim box on the wall with the compressor outside

  • Axelstrife on 07/10/2015 - 14:40
    +1

    Just paid last bill which was $310

    Three bedroom house

    • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 14:47
      +1

      Thats pretty good! :O thumbs up

  • ESEMCE on 07/10/2015 - 14:42
    +2

    prices differ from state to state and region to region. Comparing price is only relevant if you're comparing the same state and region.

    • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 14:44

      Thought about mentioning state! I think I should!

  • rambutann on 07/10/2015 - 14:43

    Mine is generally around $100 a month, up to $160 when one heater is mashed heaps.
    This is a large 4 bedroom house with gas heating (gas bill is about $150-$250 in winter.

    • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 14:45

      Hmm, sounds like mine but mine place is an old one bed apartment.. D:

  • JimB on 07/10/2015 - 15:05
    +3

    You're probably overusing the electricity and air cond.

    But he's probably ripping you off on the Rent.

    Why are the bills included? Probably because he's ripping off the tax man and not declaring it as an investment property?

    If I was the tenant, I'd leave the air cond on 24/7.

    • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 15:32
      +1

      Not sure why the bill was included, just what it stated in the contract. She said rent factored in bill. Hence that price.

      Not sure if we are overusing the electricity though. We watch TV which is a tiny TV like 30 inch TV or something. Weekday from 8pm - 12am. AC was on at the time.

      Weekend from 1pm - 12am, AC and TV both on.

      We always turn the lights off after use as well.

      When I was at home, 3 ppl 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom. Winter bill was 550 after 28% discount from origin.

      Average temp in Vic is like prob 13 degrees in winter, night time gets worse. I am not sure how $150 electricity is normal for 3 month. :|

      • JimB on 07/10/2015 - 15:37

        Is the bill under your name or the landlord?

        Seems like a very odd way to charge rent if you have your own meter.

        Anyway what can she do about it? Actually, she'll probably up the rent soon! lol

        • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 15:41

          Bill is under Landlord's name and address.

          The property does list as my renting address though.

          Landlord issued me a notice to vacate coz I said I don't wait to pay extra $450 to cover the bill.

          Landlord also claimed I am a bully for not paying it.

          How am I a bully, the average rent in that area is $290-$390 per week for one bed one bath one carpark! $500 is a lot for a week!

        • JimB on 07/10/2015 - 15:43
          +2

          @nightfever:

          Sounds like she is doing you a favour. Go and find a cheaper apartment in the same block.

          Seems to me she's trying to dodge tax, that's they only reason why she'd leave her name on the utilities.

        • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 15:51

          @JB1:

          Hahaha, I know right. Eff the landlord, who has the contract says bills are included, charged super high rent, harasses tenants daily. Tell tenants to pay extra regardless what the contract says.

          I am moving some time next month anyway, it suits me fine. When I got called a bully, I was a tad concerned my response to the landlord, and thinking perhaps I am the unreasonable one? Perhaps I should have paid..

          I guess NOT. I totally did the right thing.

          Reckon I should start wasting power? evil laugh

          Not sure how landlord can dodgy the tax.. maybe landlord is dodgy!

        • JimB on 07/10/2015 - 15:58
          +1

          @nightfever:

          Seems like the fault is with the landlord.

          Was it leased via an agent?

          Just make sure you get your bond back.

        • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 16:04

          @JB1:

          Nah, it was a direct lease from landlord. We only needed a place for a short term and happened to find this place. Was always planned to get out early Dec, guess I just didn't expect it would end this ugly. (Found the rent ad on gumtree).

          Yeh, really hoping landlord won't try to get that greedy greasy hands on my bond!

        • Banana on 07/10/2015 - 19:30
          +1

          @nightfever:

          There was nothing written in the contract saying how much you are supposed to use so I reckon you are fine!

          Make sure you get your bond back. Remember that you are still protected by the Law even if the landlord did not submit a RTBA application.

          Don't feel bad, you have done nothing wrong.

        • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 21:16

          @Banana:

          Thanks Banana!!

          Nah there was no mention of how much we can use, but we didn't abuse it anyway. Just using it like normal people.

          Yeh horrible Landlord! Hopefully landlord won't try to do something dodgy and take away my bond!

        • kungfupanda on 08/10/2015 - 16:45
          +1

          @nightfever: if I were you, I report the landlord to ATO :D

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 18:46

          @kungfupanda: Hahaha I don't have evidence the landlord is doing dodgy though. Kinda wished I'm a government national auditor! Hahaha.

          Not sure if there is a way to dob the landlord in. :/

        • YellowDieselGolf on 09/10/2015 - 18:59

          @kungfupanda:

          Yep. And leave the ac running 24-7 until you're evicted.

        • Lysander on 09/10/2015 - 21:28

          @nightfever:

          Go to the ATO, tell them the story and ask if there is a problem. If there is you do not want to be involved in it and by telling the ATO you will be in the clear.

          It will of course also prompt the ATO to possibly investigate but again, that is not your problem.

        • nightfever on 09/10/2015 - 22:25

          @YellowDieselGolf: Hahahaha nah what if the landlord goes super saiyan and sue me? :/

          Also it's not very kind to our Mother Earth hahaha.

          Also the lease has my folks addy, don't want anything happen to them!

        • nightfever on 09/10/2015 - 22:26

          @Lysander: Hmmmm. Is ATO active in terms of cracking down stuff like this?

          Pretty sure landlord is up to no good. Trying to maximise profit here and there.

        • Lysander on 09/10/2015 - 23:10
          +1

          @nightfever:

          If the ATO loses money or think they do, they will investigate and come down hard on whoever tries to cheat them.
          Have you ever heard of any tax office in the world not intent on collecting as much money as possible? They will pursue it and fine them even if it is just a thousand dollars. I just had a talk about something similar with them two days ago.

        • nightfever on 10/10/2015 - 00:27

          @Lysander: Very nice!! Hmm lets hope landlord is not reading this. Whatever I ended up doing I want to stay clear. Again Landlord is probably too dumb to use Internet. Lol.

          If I dob the landlord in, it's going to screw landlords life over a mil time as the landlord owns more than 2 properties. I hope landlord gets audited and turns out dodgy!!! :D :D

        • Lysander on 10/10/2015 - 00:50
          +1

          @nightfever:

          That will happen for sure.

          If you want someone audited, you just need to send an anonymous letter to the ATO, preferably listing some of the properties and describing how you paid your rent. The ATO will do the rest, quite quickly if they smell money.

        • nightfever on 10/10/2015 - 09:37

          @Lysander: Thanks Lysander!! Really good advice!!!

          Landlord has my folks address, let's hope they won't do anything stupid if I dob them in! But again ATO would probably made it looks like an normal auditing practice.

  • Twodogs on 07/10/2015 - 15:30
    +2

    Landlord's expectation is apparently:

    $150 power bill for winter quarter.
    $80 gas bill for two month ……………….Rofl no effing way , he's just trying to pressure you to use less power …… which = more profit for him.

    • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 15:37

      I know right. Landlord claimed what we are using is excessive and the bill is huge.

      I was scratching my head thinking. We are pretty normal people who turn off anything and everything that we are done using!

      Landlord demanded me to pay more money (around $450 more). Which I refused, then landlord called and texted continuously for great 7 days (even the long weekend we just had in Vic)

      After I firmly refused 3 times. I got told I am a bully and I got issued a notice to vacate. LOL.

      If the bill is over $1k, then I would admit i am wasting power, but no way on earth I am wasting it!

      • Twodogs on 07/10/2015 - 15:40
        +1

        Tell him you will report him for extorsion and breach contract

        • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 15:46

          Actually I threated the landlord if landlord is going to harass me everyday like this, not only I will issue the breach of duty notice. I will also report the matter to VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal).

          That's when landlord gets mental said I am a bully, who is unethical, used excessive amount of power and gas yet refused to pay extra $450.

          Landlord said notice of vacate has been issued, which I got in mail shortly after. Landlord described what I received is very easy on me. As landlord could have evict me.

          Just how many mental people are on this earth?

          I thought I was the one being harassed by the landlord. One of landlord's texts read - 'I am very concerned you have not returned my calls and texts, please ring to discuss ASAP!'

          Yet, landlord told me to go away. Speechless!

        • Banana on 07/10/2015 - 19:33

          @nightfever:

          Your landlord cannot evict you. The most horrible thing you could have done is being a threat to the neighbourhood where they could get the cops involved and evict you. Otherwise, they would need a written notification (has to be in paper form) to notify you that. Then you would get 14 days to evict. Remember to claim any paid rent back.

        • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 21:19
          -1

          @Banana:

          Yeh landlord is full of sh1t. Making all the crap up simply coz I wouldn't pay extra money.

          Whatever makes the landlord happy. Got the 60days notice vacate. Bleh, it's not like I have to stay anyway!

          Really tempted to blast the crap out of this place now, but i
          Probably won't. Might send landlord a bag of sh1t after we move. Lol.

        • RocketSwitch on 08/10/2015 - 09:29
          +1

          @nightfever:

          I hate when people are treated unfairly, hope it works out for you.

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 12:02
          +1

          @justmiike: Hahaha, Thank you!!! So glad to know I am not the one in the wrong. :D

        • Lancerx on 08/10/2015 - 13:20
          -6

          @nightfever: Let me guess…your landlord is asian?

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 13:34

          @Droid11: Nope. Landlord is English! Hahahaha.

        • Lancerx on 08/10/2015 - 14:16

          @nightfever: Then your landlord must be english from the 50s :) . Anyway, they can't do shit to you. If he says the electricity bill should be around $150, then it should be in the contract. If not you could just screw them over if you really want…heater on 24/7 lol

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 16:20

          @Droid11:

          Actually landlord is English from the 80s. LOL. I really hope landlord is not reading this.

          Hahaha, landlord will take my bond if i blast heater 24/7. Probably smash my car too!

        • Lancerx on 08/10/2015 - 17:23
          +1

          @nightfever: In all seriousness don't do it, bad for our mother earth :P There's no reason for the electricity to be this low. I would say $100/month for electricity is reasonable. Anything more, you probably wasting electricity. Always get this thing in writing. I even put in writing rate per day when I rent my room out last time. Anything more he pays, simple as that. Your landlord just brainless..

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 18:49

          @Droid11:

          Yeh imho, landlord is probably retarded and no I won't be wasting it. We are nice people! :)

          Would love to send landlord a bag of sh1t though.

      • BuyoTheCat on 07/10/2015 - 15:51
        +2

        If you think your rights is being infringed upon, you can contact Tenants Union of Victoria for advise.

        http://www.tuv.org.au/

        $500/pw for a 1 bedroom feels way above market rate. It should include utilities AND breakfast and dinner

        • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 16:01

          Hahahahaha I LOVE IT!!! I should have replied landlord that!! IF only I got on this forum first!

          Thanks BuyoTheCat, that got me cracked up laughing! :')

          I got some advice from TUV, which was to not pay, since it stated it's included in the contract.

          Told landlord I am not paying that other than the actual rent then get issued an notice to vacate. LOL!

          A quick calculation on how much landlord is getting for this 1 Bed 1 Bath 1 Carpark.

          Rent per month: 500*4.3 = 2,150
          Winter power bill per month: 440/3 = 133.33
          Gas bill per month: 180/2 = 90

          Landlord gets 2,150 + 133.33 + 90 = 2,373.33 per month.

          Forgot to mention. The place is small. Around 45 sqm.

          Yet landlord tells me an acceptable normal power bill should be 150 for three month, gas 80 for two months. Bloody jokes! If that is not mental, I do not know what is.

        • lysp on 09/10/2015 - 11:40

          @nightfever:

          https://www.tuv.org.au/advice/notices-to-vacate/

          I'd take the LL to VCAT. The 60 day notice may be invalid.

          The 60 day notice can only really be given if they are demolishing it, selling it or for a few other reasons, otherwise it will need to be a 120 day notice.

          The notice to VCAT was being used in retaliation of your rights as a tenant so I'd definitely challenge it. Even if you plan on moving out - it'll at least give you 4 months rather than 2 months to find a place. Plus will help teach the LL that they need to follow rules rather than taking things into their own hands.

        • nightfever on 09/10/2015 - 12:06

          @lysp: Oh landlord said my bullying behavior could have got me evicted. However landlord is being nice and evicted me with a reason of wanting to move back in.

          I think by law, if that reason is given, it is a 60 days notice. Could however dob them in if they lease the place out within 6 months though.

          PS - I am pretty sure I am the one being bullied!

        • lysp on 09/10/2015 - 14:23
          +1

          @nightfever:

          One thing to remind him:

          • occupied by the landlord, or the landlord’s spouse, son, daughter, parent or spouse’s parent, or someone who normally lives with the landlord and is dependent on the landlord

          If the landlord serves a notice for any of the first 4 reasons above, they cannot re-let the premises again for 6 months after the notice is given (unless they are letting it to a person referred to in the notice or they have permission from the Tribunal).

          S. 264(1)

           (1)     A landlord or a person acting on behalf of a landlord who obtains possession of rented premises in respect of which a notice to vacate has been given under sections 256 to 259 must not let the premises to a person for use primarily as a residence before the end of 6 months after the date on which the notice was given.

          Penalty: 60 penalty units in the case of a natural person;

          Considering a penalty unit is around $150, if he attempts to re-lease it out will cop a $9000 fine.

        • nightfever on 09/10/2015 - 15:36
          +1

          @lysp: VERY NICE!!

          I know they would get penalty points but I DID NOT KNOW IT ACTUALLY COST MONEY!

          YES!! Thank you!!

          I am not going to tell the landlord that. The last time, I asked the landlord to refer to the Tenancy Act 1997, I was told by the landlord that the landlord has SOLID UNDERSTANDING of it. Exact words.

          Will wait and see. Hopefully landlord will breach AGAIN and cop some legal sh1t.

        • lysp on 12/10/2015 - 13:54

          @nightfever:

          Penalty units always refer to money. The reason they don't have exact money in legislation is that every time they need to increase fines due to inflation they'd need to update every single law.

          So they refer to things in terms of multiples of penalty units and then just increase the value of a penalty unit over time. Means that just need to change a single place.

        • SirFlibbled on 12/10/2015 - 16:26

          @nightfever: Are you in the middle of Melbourne city?

          I'm in a decent spot in Canberra and my mortgage on a 140sqm 3 bedroom townhouse is less than your rent.

        • nightfever on 12/10/2015 - 17:03

          @lysp: I can't wait till the day I find out they re-let the place within that 6 months.

          That is going to screw them up big time! :) #sweetrevenge

          Thanks for your help! :D

        • nightfever on 12/10/2015 - 17:04

          @SirFlibbled: I'm in Melbourne. Inner South West.

          Pretty sure the place only cost like $320k Max, I think their mortgage would prob be just over $1k per month?

          Greedy landlord!

  • BuyoTheCat on 07/10/2015 - 15:57
    +2

    I have been through a protracted case with a landlord quite a few years ago.

    If you are renting month to month (no contract), he can give you notice to vacate. If you are on a contract, he needs a valid reason to vacate you. I cannot remember the exact details.

    In any case, TUV is your go to place.

    • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 16:05
      +2

      Thanks! Yeh, my is still within the fixed contract. its a 60 days notice. The notice date is actually outside of the end date of the fixed contract. Should have enough time.
      The whole situation is just stupid. It's not even my fault, landlord is def the bully. The bully calls the victim a bully. What jokes!

      • altomic on 07/10/2015 - 16:30
        +2

        Yep, VUT

        save the texts.
        request copies of the bills from the landlord.

        • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 16:33

          Hahaha, thanks! That bill part, already got sorted. I said I will not pay and told the landlord if landlord continues to harass me, I will take the matter to VCAT.

          But yeh, got notice to vacate now from landlord, how lovely!

  • sa5ha on 07/10/2015 - 17:43
    +1

    My partner and I live in a 2 bed room, 1 bathroom apartment in the inner south east suburbs of Melbourne.
    Electric hot water, we both take 2 showers a day of a short to moderate duration.
    Have a reverse cycle air conditioner in the living area and the little wall mount electric type ones in the bedroom/study.
    Either or both of the heaters were on most of the winter while we are home (as we're both Monday-Friday 9-5 office workers, thats usually about 5.30pm to 11pm plus sometimes all day on the weekends).
    Plus fridge, 2x computers, 2x LCD TVs, washing machine (maybe 4 loads a week total) and using a clothes dryer (2 loads a week on average in winter), etc etc

    Our May to July quarter bill was $550 (including the 'pay on time discount' from our provider) for around 2,350kWh of electricity.

    So nope, your usage seems completely normal to me. Tell your landlord to get real and that it's not the year 2000 anymore!

    • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 18:41

      Hahaha thanks sa5ha!

      We live near the bay, it's super cold during winter! I could not believe when my landlord told me they have received this 'enormous' electricity bill and gas bill. I was a bit shocked when I first got told, I thought our bill was like $1k plus. Turned out it wasn't anything big, just didn't meet her (ridiculous) expectations.

      I mean, if you don't want to get 'bill shock' from your tenant, then dont include bills in rent and reduce the rent to normal price.

    • serpserpserp on 07/10/2015 - 21:05
      +1

      Year 2000? Dude do you know how much power my rack of PC's and 68cm TV use to use up back then? We (the population collectively) used more power back then easily I reckon. Hell we all had 150w light globes in every socket as a default! ;)

      • sa5ha on 08/10/2015 - 17:22
        +1

        Even still, the electricity prices weren't so high you'd have to mortgage your first born to Energy Australia back then if you wanted a properly heated house! :P

  • serpserpserp on 07/10/2015 - 21:03
    +1

    If I was renting a place with bills included I'd be using whatever I like whenever I like and if the landlord had a go I'd politely tell them to GTFO and go turn the dryer on for 24 hours straight. If they want and try and squeeze extra money out of you by thinking you'd use less in bills than what they charge you AND do a tax dodge like everyone else here has eluded to, serves them right.

    • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 21:28
      +1

      Hahaha. Couldn't believe how persistent the landlord was. I guess I could blast the crap out of this place before I move out. Teach landlord the definition of wasting power and gas.

      So mean though, plus landlord might try to take my bond! :/

      • Flowerbomb on 07/10/2015 - 22:10
        +1

        If you want to waste electricity, go buy a $10 heater from kmart. The voltage is 2kW/hr, which roughly costs $0.55-$0.65/hr depending on your energy provider. Leave it on every day for a few hours, the bill will surely skyrocket! But that's very mean though.

        • nightfever on 07/10/2015 - 23:25
          +1

          Hahahaha that is very mean. I actually got an oil fin heater. I barely used it this winter despite it was cold. I should have blasted it like crazy!

          I guess I could waste a little for everything everyday. It'll build up. I still think a bag of poo is a nice idea!

          I hope the landlord doesn't use ozbargain… Imagine the landlord sees this thread! :O Hahahaha.

      • serpserpserp on 08/10/2015 - 12:17

        You need to check if there is a fair use clause about your bills. If nothing then they can't take your bond.

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 12:30

          Nah, there isn't a fair use clause.
          I am sure if landlord wanted to take the bond. We can dispute to VCAT, VCAT can determine whether the amount that landlord is moaning is excessive usage or not.

          I told landlord we can go VCAT, landlord backed off. If landlord believe they got the rights, then why back off?

        • bluedufflecoat on 08/10/2015 - 15:19

          @nightfever: costs money to go to vcat.

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 16:24

          @bluedufflecoat: Lol, win the case, landlord will bear the cost.

          Not that much anyway, $60 or something.

  • boccos on 08/10/2015 - 08:05
    +1

    So the landlord has chosen the "easy" option and not had a separate meter for gas and electricity for each unit. For that, the Landlord is at the discretion of the varied uses by the different tenants. That is completely normal to have a variable energy usage. If he has an issue, he needs to alter the Tennancy Contract to impose a maximum limit that is included in the rent (unlikely as he would have to prove the cost) or install separate meters and exclude the energy in the rent and then the tennant pays for these themselves.

    • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 08:20

      Totally agreed with alter contract and lower the rent and exclude energy. The rent is already high, couldn't believe landlord would demand more money from the tenants. That behaviour is absolutely disgusting!

      I'm actually not sure whether it's separately meters for each unit. I assume it might be? I have received bill images from the landlord. I assume it is separately metered?

      Don't know and don't really care. The contract says bulk bill then stick to it. Landlord should consider they had it easy as I was at the verge of escalating the whole thing by issuing a breach duty of landlord (for continually harassing tenants on daily basis). As well as lodging the matter to VCAT.

  • Belistic on 08/10/2015 - 09:02

    Wow, my bill was just over 1k for 2 adults in a large house (rural Vic).

    • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 09:12

      D:

      Landlord probably will go complete koo-koo if they receive that bill of yours. :P

      Landlord has ridiculous expectation for energy bills.

  • wqw1588 on 08/10/2015 - 09:53

    2 BR APT
    electricity 50-60 monthly
    water 50-60 monthly
    gas 100 per quarter

    • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 12:31

      Are you in Vic? I asked coz all states charges differently. Weather climate is also not the same.

    • Megeso1246 on 08/10/2015 - 13:04

      You must be in an area with very low supply costs. I was on holidays start of the year. Only thing running in the house was the fridge, and it was still $45 for the month. $50 - $60 is absolutely impossible in my area - SE Melbourne

      • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 19:00

        Don't want to reveal too much info but I'm in inner south west near the Bay Area. Hahahaha. I compared the bill to my parents place, which is in inner East. Similar charge rates.

        Not really low supply costs. Just a retarded landlord imho.

        No way on earth winter quarter bill being $150 is considered as normal usage. Landlord = retarded.

  • hangdog on 08/10/2015 - 09:59

    $173 minus $80 feed-in tariff = about $93 in electricity for the winter quarter. 3-bedroom in outer SE Melbourne suburbs with gas heating, 3kW solar panels on TFIT. Gas (for central heating, cooking & hot water) was about $378, though!

    • jennkei on 08/10/2015 - 11:11

      Wow, hangdog. Low users, or do those solar panels make a big difference? :) My bills come with 'average household use', and mine is a little over than the average given, which for four people is 1501kWh. So if yours is for 2 people, $180 is a tad low but not impossible. Realistic would be more like $200-$300. Could be they're operating by old energy costs? If the meter is shared, they might have to pick up the bill anyway ("If there is no separate meter, the landlord must pay."), and you're not completely responsible for that either. I think it averages out among everyone in the building, or that's what seemed reasonable..

      We do use a main gas heater, though, and they don't give an average use there. (Probably since it would make no sense.) $380 for the quarter for that.

      • hangdog on 08/10/2015 - 11:42

        We're a family of 2 adults and 3 children aged 3 to 8. I think that prior to installing solar panels we were averaging just under 12kWh per day. It is a smallish house – small 430L fridge, normal size dishwasher, 7.5L front loader washing machine. The main fluctuations in usage come from how many hours the inefficient 2006-model 50" plasma TV and its associated Yamaha amp/receiver are left on each day. :)

        The solar feed-in tariff offset is actually as much as 2/3 lower in winter than in summer. In summer we essentially don't pay electricity bills, other than amortising the cost of the panels, of course. The feed-in tariff will drop after 2016 so we'll have to see how it looks after that.

        We did change providers from Origin to Powershop almost a year ago. This dropped our bills substantially, partly because Powershop's energy usage tracking/control is better and allows us easier access to discounts; and in large part because Origin were absolutely terrible at billing – they literally cancelled and reissued bills probably 4 times in 2 years. The last time they did it, they cancelled and reissued all our electricity bills for the last year and a half. They justified the change every time, then went back on it every time. I got fed up with the feeling of uncertainty and the ongoing suspicion of being cheated.

        • PennyWisePF on 08/10/2015 - 11:54
          +1

          according to Victoria electricity laws, the can only back bill 9 months. So if they bill wrongly over year and half, you can stuff them with the bills more than 9 months old.

  • DavoW on 08/10/2015 - 11:16
    +1

    Here you go OP,

    I think we were about $700 for the winter quarter, but here's the circumstances:

    Live in VIC, 3 bedroom house with 2 kids under 3.
    Heat their rooms to 17 degrees at night with small electric heaters, they wiggle out of the blankets and get too cold otherwise.
    Main gas heater broke down for the entire month of july, the coldest in VIC in 20 years or something, so an electric heater was used during the day to keep kids warm.
    Used clothes dryer for most of winter when the days were to cold to dry outside.

    Hope that helps.

    • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 11:49

      Thanks Davo!

      Thank god the weather is getting warmer! :D

      I came on to see what everyone's energy use is like due to landlord telling me that I am using WAY TOO MUCH gas and electricity.

      I have yet found anyone that says my landlord's expectation is fair.

      I felt a lot better, still couldn't believe I got called a bully for it. Hahaha.

      Contract says rent includes all utility bills, really not sure what the problem is!!

      • DavoW on 08/10/2015 - 11:55

        Well if it says it includes all bills, then they are up for whatever that costs surely. Unless, like unlimited mobile contracts, there is a fair use policy (which I doubt).

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 12:05

          Yeh, I was trying to look it up online after the landlord whinged the crap out of us.

          I couldn't find the average usage on net, but I was fairly certain, we don't just go and waster energy simply due to the bulk billing. We are people with good hearts! :)

          Landlord used to run air bnb, it's the first time landlord did a longer term lease, I hope they will learn some lessons out of it and no one will suffer again!

        • DavoW on 08/10/2015 - 12:15

          @nightfever: Are you renting directly and not through an agent? I'd be inclined to stop communicating over this issue as you're doing nothing wrong, but that's a bit risky if you're not through an estate agent.

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 12:27

          @davowade:

          We are renting directly as we found the ads on gumtree. Probably won't do it again next time.

          Oh dont worry, I told the landlord to stop harassing me, else I will dispute to VCAT.

          Landlord then turned around calls me a bully and said an notice to vacate has been issued to me. I have 60 days to get out.

          Also at the end the message, landlord adds to do not contact landlord ever again besides maintenance issue or until I am ready to get out.

          Whatever, I thought that is what I wanted to say, we don't even want to talk to landlord. We just wanted to pay rent weekly and be left alone.

        • DavoW on 08/10/2015 - 13:11
          +1

          @nightfever: The VCAT route is pretty powerful, it's worked for me in the past. There is also the tenancy union to chat to if you get stuck.

          https://www.tuv.org.au/advice/resolving-disputes/the-tribuna…

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 13:33
          +1

          @davowade: Thank you! :D

      • PennyWisePF on 08/10/2015 - 11:57
        +1

        Tell your landlord to get a better electricity retailer and better prices.

        • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 12:00

          Exactly!

          I compare the rates with my parent's place. The rates are similar so are the service charges.

          Only difference is my parent's energy provider gets 28% off total Electricity bill and 18% off Total Gas Bill.

          Landlord's electricity provider only gets max 5% off.

          However, STILL it doesn't not meet landlord's expectation even if after the discount.

          But nah, don't want to talk to the landlord at all, my partner and I have received whole week of non-stop calling and msg'n from the landlord. I need a break! Hahaha.

  • sezzyp on 08/10/2015 - 12:38

    Looking at your electricity usage, you're using around 18kw per day. It is a little higher than the average use, given that you are in a one bedroom, but not out of the usual if your heating/cooling is part of that usage given the lovely highs and lows of Vic weather. Very roughly (and I mean rough) given the price you've quoted for your gas I would say your bill would show a usage somewhere around 5000MJ give or take? If so looking at around 80MJ a day. Again a little bit higher, considering that heating is not part of the usage, but your hot water system could be the issue there. I can't see anything hugely out of the ordinary in regards to your usage, I have a background in electricity network and retail electricity/gas. Some others might do better with energy consumption, but honestly it's all relative to the properties factors.

    • nightfever on 08/10/2015 - 13:33

      Spot on sezzyp! Electricity was around 18.55kwh. The place is an old style unit apartment by the bay with super cool wind. We actually had to use masking tapes to seal the window gaps because the wind just keeps coming through.

      I actually don't know what's the gas usage is, didn't see the bill, just got told the amount. There's a HWS outside out unit for our place, the water temperature is crazy though, it always gets burning hot, but when you turn it down, it gets icy cold… we spend a bit of time trying to adjust it. :\

      I think the landlord's expectation is ridiculous! :\

  • Maki on 08/10/2015 - 13:08
    +1

    Make sure they don't charge you as a business:
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-08/agl-charged-household-…

  • twoface41face on 08/10/2015 - 13:34

    Do you plan on referring them to the ATO once you get your bond back? Also mean, but #watevs #dontjudge

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