8096 baht electricity bill for just under a month, one room

[dustydusty]

We stayed in a residence in Bangkok and got an electricity bill for 8096 baht for the duration of just under one month. We had one room (2 people) that was 32 sq m and had one tv, we charged our phones and a laptop, and one air con. We used the air con for about 14-16 h a day on average and it was set on 23, 24 usually.

Other than that, showers every day.

We had the room booked for 2 months and usually bills are always payed upon departure, but we got this electricity bill (together with 2000 baht rental fee for bedding) slipped under our door one morning saying it needed to be payed later that day. Long story short, we didn't pay it the same day as anyone would need to be told in advance for this and as it wasn't what was promised, the next day we got kicked out and threatened that if we wouldn't pay the bill asap they would take our passports.

Now, how can this one room, add up to 8000 baht for a month?

I have talked to countless local people, as well as tourists renting apartments, and they were shocked.

[Tywais]

First, they can not take your passport or hold it for any reason and it would be illegal for them to do so and the police could be called in for theft of personal/government property.

Possibly they padded the previous tenant's bill unto it. Does the bill have the total number of units that was used for that month on it? Do a worse case scenario calculation on this and electricity usage of 2kW/hour x 14 hours x 7 baht/hour (common charge for apartment electric usage) x 30 days = 5880 baht. Now if they were charging 10 Baht/unit it would be 8400 Baht. The efficiency of the AC (clean, charged) will dictate a lot of how much daily electric usage there would be. For example at 23/24 degrees the AC may never cycle off it is is dirty or gas low.

You need them to show the meter bill to verify the number of units, need the breakdown of the bill. And of course, there is the possible issue someone is tapped into your meter.

[draftvader]

What is their quoted unit price? I have seen bills of near to B8,000 for a 16sqm apartment running A/C 16 hours a day at 18c @B7/unit. Sure your A/C has a higher temperature but that is a bigger space, the A/C could be running low on gas and, therefore, running inefficiently. Apart from that their behaviour sounds hostile. How was your relationship with the staff/management up to that point? Any run ins?

--EDIT--

Whoops...digit slip. That read B17. It is now, and should have been, B7.

Edited October 18, 2014 by draftvader

[JDGRUEN]

The electricity rate should be just a bit over 5 Baht per unit. You should have been told what rate they were going to charge - some Landlords give a pass through of the 5 Baht they pay to the Electric company... You are probably being charged 7 even 8 Baht per unit. You should always take a photo of the meter first day of move in and get the landlord to show what number they are starting with and what they are ending with ... You should take a meter photo at start and end every month.

Running Air Con can run up the meter pretty quickly... Most people end up getting use to not using air con so much... Even what what air con usage you mentioned could run you bill high ... but my bet is the RATE... Get the facts and work it out ... I wouldn't be surprised they would take a partial payment - then another is a week or so ...

Do they have your passports in their possession? Give copies - not the actual passport.. WOW!

[draftvader]

Arguing with them about things probably set this up. They were just looking for an excuse to push you out. Too much trouble for them. If you have your passports it is time to lick your wounds, write a few reviews, learn and move on. You really aren't going to get much mileage out of this in Thailand.

[draftvader]

I just noticed that the WiFi was included in the rent. This means that you haven't paid for it. Unless it is stated in the contract then it is just a "bonus".

You state that you should pay your electricity a month later? Standard practice is that you pay your rent up front and the utilities in arrears but up to the point of bill issue. For example

You move in on Jan 1st. You are issued a bill on Feb 1st for February rent and ALL utilities in Jan. Did your utility deposit cover your expenditure? If not then I am not unsurprised they were pushing for payment ASAP.

Edited October 18, 2014 by draftvader

[draftvader]

2 month stay? This comes under short-term apartment rental. What assurances did they hold for you? Did they have a credit card or cash deposit? Is so, how much?

[draftvader]

8096/16 = 506 units. This works with a standard apartment rental utility rate. The standard apartment electricity rates in Bangkok are between B15-18. The only one that divides into this is B16. Sounds to me like you have used roughly 16 units per day. Not something that happens too often and would certainly have alarm bells ringing. Certainly 16 * 30 = 480 hours of air-con @ 23C would do damage like this in an apartment of that size.

I think you'll find that your only chance of resolution (if you want to call it that) is to contact Airbnb. There is nothing we're going to say that will make it all better.

[draftvader]

First, they can not take your passport or hold it for any reason and it would be illegal for them to do so and the police could be called in for theft of personal/government property.

Possibly they padded the previous tenant's bill unto it. Does the bill have the total number of units that was used for that month on it? Do a worse case scenario calculation on this and electricity usage of 2kW/hour x 14 hours x 7 baht/hour (common charge for apartment electric usage) x 30 days = 5880 baht. Now if they were charging 10 Baht/unit it would be 8400 Baht. The efficiency of the AC (clean, charged) will dictate a lot of how much daily electric usage there would be. For example at 23/24 degrees the AC may never cycle off it is is dirty or gas low.

You need them to show the meter bill to verify the number of units, need the breakdown of the bill. And of course, there is the possible issue someone is tapped into your meter.

Looks like somebody doesn't like the truth much. Any chance of closing this thread?

[dustydusty]

Thanks for your input and help Draftvader. Yes, you can close the thread

[cooked]

Blimey, I had a fit this month when we got a bill for ฿2100.-.

[harrry]

Reading the conditions on that sight the electricity and any fees should have been paid through the site which may keep a credit card authorisation. It seems if they do that the owner is in total breach of several of the conditions of the agreement and even in cancelling it may have effect of bringing the condition that if the acomodation is not provided they are not due for anything in their payment.

It may of course be untrue but it is also possible that it is some THai not realising that the booking agent he chose has enforcible conditions too.

[JDGRUEN]

OP My information was posted on what often goes on in cities in the outer provinces - the rates are much lower that I read here in the other post for BKK ... but the principle is the same.. .

Get your facts straight before you sign any agreement, understand fully what was agreed to and what was not, get photos of the electric meter from first day of entry and last day - know the billing period, get the numbers of units from the landlord - dates start and stop taken, WHAT IS THE RATE you will be paying and to whom... When is each item due.

It is called the basic Interrogatives, Who, What, When, Where, How And How Much... if you ask these questions about apartment - room rental - motorcycle rental - get it on paper -- listed if not in contract form ...

Don't run around blindly -- AND NEVER EVER LET ANYONE KEEP YOU PASSPORT ... perfectly alright for them to make copies for records purposes.

Good Luck.

[Metapod]

i have a similar issue atm but with water, not elec.

my typical monthly water usage is between 150-400baht

last month my water bill was 4500 baht.

try and make sense of that one..

normally water is billed around 18baht a unit, but i was billed 150 <deleted> baht a unit.

[draftvader]

I have seen this behaviour from busted meters. They suddenly spin on many units. Only way to tell is to have the meter replaced.

[draftvader]

Just seen the last part of your post. Still that info might be useful.

[JDGRUEN]

I have seen this behaviour from busted meters. They suddenly spin on many units. Only way to tell is to have the meter replaced.

In a nice resort in Ao Nang ...meter blew out in a power surge on June 28... replaced with a meter that looked like a refurbished unit to me - not new... Electric bill June 3400 Baht - large 2 bedroom - 2 baths - 3 occupants...

July - under questionable electric meter - same place - 2 occupants -- working of conserving electric - conscious of not running air con when not needed ... etc. July Electric Bill 6700 Baht..

TiT ... amazing Thailand

I am convinced there is a manufacturer and a market for FIXED electric meters

[gmac]

i have a similar issue atm but with water, not elec.

my typical monthly water usage is between 150-400baht

last month my water bill was 4500 baht.

try and make sense of that one..

normally water is billed around 18baht a unit, but i was billed 150 <deleted> baht a unit.

That sounds like a water leak/broken pipe somewhere. Have experienced this myself in the past renting in old houses. Now always check my meters weekly to spot any anomalies before they get out of hand.

[cgphuket]

Hey draftvader, why have you requested this topic closed, yet you have replied 8 times to yourself. Slow TV day?

[draftvader]

Hey draftvader, why have you requested this topic closed, yet you have replied 8 times to yourself. Slow TV day?

I was trying to discuss the issue with the OP. Every time I gave answers the OP came back with new information about the situation. Each time I could see reasons why the renting party had concerns so I aired those for the OP. His response was to delete as many of his posts as possible. I think the OP was outside the time-limit for deleting his OP.

Edited October 19, 2014 by draftvader

[Gonsalviz]

Apparently the did not use lube when they screwed you.

I have a 176 sq mtr 3 BR house with a huge hall. The hall (35 sq mtr) and kitchen are not airconditioned but I can open the 3 BR doors and keep it cool in the hot season. The kitchen never gets aircon. 2 water pumps and 4 high cap water heaters. I can just see approaching 8,000 baht for a month with all that.

[draftvader]

Apparently the did not use lube when they screwed you.

I have a 176 sq mtr 3 BR house with a huge hall. The hall (35 sq mtr) and kitchen are not airconditioned but I can open the 3 BR doors and keep it cool in the hot season. The kitchen never gets aircon. 2 water pumps and 4 high cap water heaters. I can just see approaching 8,000 baht for a month with all that.

On government rates NOT apartment rates. They are 3+ times as much!

[Bender]

8096/16 = 506 units. This works with a standard apartment rental utility rate. The standard apartment electricity rates in Bangkok are between B15-18. The only one that divides into this is B16. Sounds to me like you have used roughly 16 units per day. Not something that happens too often and would certainly have alarm bells ringing. Certainly 16 * 30 = 480 hours of air-con @ 23C would do damage like this in an apartment of that size.

I think you'll find that your only chance of resolution (if you want to call it that) is to contact Airbnb. There is nothing we're going to say that will make it all better.

"The standard apartment electricity rates in Bangkok are between B15-18."

[draftvader]

I've done it again. B6-7. Really didn't get enough sleep (or coffee) yesterday! Mixed up with the water rates.

Thanks for pointing that out in such brilliant style