Money Moral Dilemma:Should I ask my neighbour to stop charging their car?

meknowalot-51

You should say something as you have a valid point,your all paying for this.First of all i suggest you make a note of the make and model of the car then check online as to how much it costs to recharge the vehicle and how often is needed.It could be as low as 20p for a full charge at maybe five times per week,thats £52 per year.If a few more start to do this the bill will soon escalate,so do some research then consult the management commitee.I'm sure you'll find if needed you can call a one off meeting with all the tenants to discuss the situation.

Alfie5178

I live in a block of 4 flats, there are 3 blocks of 4 who share the service charge.


Each block has 2 communal plugs, one on each floor (only ground floor & 1st floor) so it is possible to use "public" plug for private use. The sockets are there so the hall/stairs/landing can be vacummed.


Only good manners prevents anyone using these sockets for personal use, aside from having your own front door propped open to allow the socket through (or use the letter box!) I would not want anyone else using the electric, how would feel if your neighbour used the socket in your garage? Not too happy either, I guess!

meknowalot-51

Just had a look online about the costs involved and my estimates are a bit way off the mark.For fully charging a 30kw Nissan Leaf in the uk costs about £3,which will give you about 150 miles.Some of us would only need one a week whereas others may need 3 or 4...............you clearly need to call a meeting.

bexhill

same as stealing petrol from garage pump

perfect10

My dad lives in retirement flat, there is someone there who had the hose pipe on to wash his car several times a week - he directed it from the communal laundry room, there is a water meter so very similar story.
The management committee dealt with it, its not unreasonable to want to wash your car but several times a week was really unnecessary, think he now does it once a week.

So inform the management committee and see what happens. They need to pay for what they use and if this is already happening then all residents should be informed so others don't take advantage too.

If they don't respond then ask the resident, you have every right to know if you are paying to charge his car after all.

Pincher

It is possible for the management company to charge an extra amount, based on an estimate. If the car owner provides proof of mileage , then it can be more accurate, otherwise they can assume what they want, and it's up to the owner to challenge it. The service charge can contain what they want, unless the residents challenge it. I have been contributing to a building reserve fund as part of the service charge, which is as non-specific as it gets.

XRAT

What I want to know is where I can get a pigeon microwave...

Basil1234

i like reading everyones different views on all of this, some made me chuckle.

my thoughts below

1.
talk to the neighbour risk upset or more firstly could be a bad move if they think you are a busybody and might cost them more as well.
also they may not want to risk having a cable lying loose around incase someone trips over it and them may be sued yes america things do happen in the uk.

2.
you inform the management company they look back over how much the electric jumped up over how ever long say 2 years and decide to put up the management fee to recover said costs which you pointed out to them in good will and then fit lockable sockets to which a cleaner only has key to and then no one can use for anything.

all above is hypothetical but both are possiable personally if it was me say nothing at the moment or run the risk management company will do the reasonable thing, usually business are there to do one thing and that is make money. i suspect once they know they will just jack the fees and cover there bottom, giving you a nice present for pointing it out, but that would be my 50pence bet.

basil :beer: