Apartment has lowered electric but added 'common fee' to compensate

[clarky cat]

The apartment I live in just gave the latest electric bill. 

 

 

They've randomly started charging the electric 5 baht a unit instead of 9 baht a unit

 

To compensate for this they've added a 'common fee' charge, and the total bill works out the same as the electric would at 9 baht

 

I'm in the 2nd month of a 3-month contract where I agreed to pay 9 baht a unit

 

I don't want to move as there's nowhere better at this price, should I try and contest this? or at least ask that the common fee is removed after the 3 month contract finishes?

[Chazar]

Welcome to useless  Thailand...............but  dont insult the monarchy, 3  whole months eh, do you feel destitute yet?

Blimey  Colin you got the grumps today, thats 2  youve given me now.

Edited July 1, 2019 by Chazar

[madmen]

4 minutes ago, clarky cat said:

 

I don't want to move as there's nowhere better at this price

Sure go ask what its all about but like you said...

[Vacuum]

13 minutes ago, clarky cat said:

To compensate for this they've added a 'common fee' charge, and the total bill works out the same as the electric would at 9 baht

Ask them what's included in this "common fee".

[ChipButty]

Same Same but Different dont think to mut Thai logic

[Crossy]

Electric rate change is to comply with recent changes in the law. I doubt they can just add a service charge without a new contract, but if the numbers end up the same does it really matter on a short contract.

 

When you do a new contract, assuming you are going to stay, I expect the rent will have increased by 712 Baht.

[blackcab]

This is not unusual. Many apartments have added a fixed common fee but reduced their electric rate.

 

Ultimately, I think you will find that if you don't want to pay then your contract will not be renewed. The owners will not change their entire work process for your benefit as tenants will be easy to find.

 

Your contact is short and you agreed to pay. If you argue then you might win the battle but you will lose the war. When your contract isn't renewed something worth 712 baht or more will be deducted from your deposit. A malfunctioning door lock? A window that needed adjusting? Cleaning due to a bad smell being in the room (try disproving that one).

 

That may sound harsh, but that's kind of how it is.

[blackcab]

Moved to the Real Estate forum. Lots of experienced members in there to assist.

[Briggsy]

If, amazingly, you get them to drop the common fee, they will just take it out of the deposit!

 

For the poster who asked the common fee is for all the communal services of the building such as cleaning the corridors, taking away the rubbish, lift operation, etc.

[clarky cat]

so if I move out and back in again after 3-months this common fee will drop down?

 

i bet they have tried this on the Thai residents

[remorhaz]

6 hours ago, Briggsy said:

If, amazingly, you get them to drop the common fee, they will just take it out of the deposit!

 

For the poster who asked the common fee is for all the communal services of the building such as cleaning the corridors, taking away the rubbish, lift operation, etc.

To be fair they're just going to keep the deposit anyway regardless.  Has anyone ever received a deposit - that is - money BACK from a Thai?

[blackcab]

6 hours ago, clarky cat said:

so if I move out and back in again after 3-months this common fee will drop down?

 

i bet they have tried this on the Thai residents

 

I doubt it. If it does, your rent will go up the same amount.

 

The point being you will still be paying the same whichever way you slice it.

[Delight]

 The procedure at your condo seems unusual to me.

I take it that you rent.

The common fee is one for the co-owner to pay.

Standard practice is that the co -owner will pay 12 months in advance .

So is the building also charging tenants?

 

 

[shy coconut]

Not sure about the quality and location of the condo, but 170 British pounds for rent

electricity and water seems like good value.

 

I pay £80 a month for electricity alone, water is included in the council tax, which comes

to £1000 per year. Fortunately I don't have a mortgage or pay rent.

 

I'm not having a go, I was generally surprised at the breakdown of expenses.

 

 

[Dazinoz]

1 hour ago, remorhaz said:

To be fair they're just going to keep the deposit anyway regardless.  Has anyone ever received a deposit - that is - money BACK from a Thai?

Yep, last 3 houses I rented. 55,000, 30,000 and 40,000 respectively. Didn't get deposit back on first house as I broke contract and did not expect it.

[mike324]

29 minutes ago, Delight said:

 The procedure at your condo seems unusual to me.

I take it that you rent.

The common fee is one for the co-owner to pay.

Standard practice is that the co -owner will pay 12 months in advance .

So is the building also charging tenants?

 

 

I'm sure the owner owns the entire building in this case

[Scouse123]

26 minutes ago, shy coconut said:

Not sure about the quality and location of the condo, but 170 British pounds for rent

electricity and water seems like good value.

 

I pay £80 a month for electricity alone, water is included in the council tax, which comes

to £1000 per year. Fortunately I don't have a mortgage or pay rent.

 

I'm not having a go, I was generally surprised at the breakdown of expenses.

 

 

 

Apples and Oranges!

[CHdiver]

1 hour ago, remorhaz said:

To be fair they're just going to keep the deposit anyway regardless.  Has anyone ever received a deposit - that is - money BACK from a Thai?

I rented 3 times from Thai people and 2 times from Farangs. Thai's did pay me my deposit back the day I moved out, Farangs I had to wait 4 weeks. Second one I had to put under pressure to get my deposit back. Took him 6 weeks to pay it. 

[wotsdermatter]

1 hour ago, remorhaz said:

To be fair they're just going to keep the deposit anyway regardless.  Has anyone ever received a deposit - that is - money BACK from a Thai?

To answer your question, YES every time I have loaned money to a Thai it has been returned to me as have the rental deposits.  I lived and worked in Thailand for over 20 years.  Now, every time I visit Thailand, up to four months a year it is at the same location.  Never a problem having the deposit returned and while out of the country they look after my belongings.  Also, I loan money to the receptionist and never once has she not repaid the loan, even sending it to me in Canada.  Please, stop making sweeping, generalised, unnecessary, and disparaging remarks without first doing proper research.

[AgMech Cowboy]

2 hours ago, remorhaz said:

To be fair they're just going to keep the deposit anyway regardless.  Has anyone ever received a deposit - that is - money BACK from a Thai?

Yes. I rented 4 places over 5-1/2 yrs before buying. Only one landlord kept part of a deposit. It was a chicken s__t reason, but then it was only 20% of it.

[Paradise Pete]

6 hours ago, remorhaz said:

Has anyone ever received a deposit - that is - money BACK from a Thai?

I have, three times, each promptly and in full. The one time I didn't was the smallest amount, just 10,000 less the last month's utilities, so less than 7,000.

[Briggsy]

6 hours ago, remorhaz said:

Has anyone ever received a deposit - that is - money BACK from a Thai?

Actually yes. I have received my deposit back on every apartment I have rented in Thailand. My landlords have been very fair.

[Jaxxper]

18 hours ago, remorhaz said:

To be fair they're just going to keep the deposit anyway regardless.  Has anyone ever received a deposit - that is - money BACK from a Thai?

Getting deposits back here is a real problem. That's not just from Thai landlords it applies to foreigners also. Many of them see it as an end of term bonus. Unfortunately it costs more to pursue legally than the deposits worth.