topic Re: What are my chances.... in Community Spirit

What are my chances....

2106greencat — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 05:58:14 GMT

probably buckleys to none, but here is my gripe anyway.

I have been renting an apartment (total 8 apartments, 3 level high rise) for 18 months...for the first 15 months my power bills were coming in at around $385.00 a quarter......just me, I work full time and then some, so they were pretty exxy I thought, but hey, what can you do??

Three months ago, Body Corporate organised OHS safety checks etc, and the electricians found the water temps were set way too high and came around and adjusted them a week later.......

last power bill (yesterday) $216.00.......

so for 5 billing cycles I have paid an extra $800 through no fault of my own.....

What do you reckon my chances are of getting this re-imbursed??

I know there is no chance, it just really urks me, I am doing okay, but there is a young couple with a couple of kids who live beneath me and they are struggling, this sort of corporate foul up really p****s me off

Rant over, as you were..

Re: What are my chances....

imastawka — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 06:37:25 GMT

Stinks, gc. Have a read here, you're in Qld?

http://www.qcat.qld.gov.au/matter-types/other-civil-disputes/body-corporate-and-community-management-scheme-disputes

and maybe organise the other tenants

Re: What are my chances....

freddie*rooster — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 06:39:11 GMT

I would definately make a complaint, this is something you had no control over and this should have been checked. Do you rent through a RE or privately green kitty?

Re: What are my chances....

lloydslights — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 06:41:36 GMT

I empathize greencat.

My gas bill (following a new meter being installed) was pretty rich, too. So I turned the temp down for summer.

The DD had a HWS replaced recently and asked the guy to adjust the temp to 60degrees. He said that is now the "factory setting" anyway.

So it appears in the past, the factory setting was too high for all HWS. I think I remember reading about children being burnt by too hot water in the bathroom and the OHS-type laws came about.

In regards the possibility of a claim to the owner of the apartment block, why not try through the Body Corporate for some reimbursement. I'm sure someone else hereabouts would be better advised than I, in this regard.

DEB

*Just realized you mentioned the OHS

Re: What are my chances....

siggie-reported-by-alarmists — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 06:42:39 GMT

@2106greencat wrote:
probably buckleys to none, but here is my gripe anyway.

I have been renting an apartment (total 8 apartments, 3 level high rise) for 18 months...for the first 15 months my power bills were coming in at around $385.00 a quarter......just me, I work full time and then some, so they were pretty exxy I thought, but hey, what can you do??

Three months ago, Body Corporate organised OHS safety checks etc, and the electricians found the water temps were set way too high and came around and adjusted them a week later.......

last power bill (yesterday) $216.00.......

so for 5 billing cycles I have paid an extra $800 through no fault of my own.....

What do you reckon my chances are of getting this re-imbursed??

I know there is no chance, it just really urks me, I am doing okay, but there is a young couple with a couple of kids who live beneath me and they are struggling, this sort of corporate foul up really p****s me off

Rant over, as you were..

It's not your fault....however, you have used and received the benefits of the hot water.

Be glad that your temp has now been set lower, thus saving on future bills.

Re: What are my chances....

polksaladallie — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 06:49:24 GMT

Don't you have your own HW system?

I have always altered mine to my choice renting or owning.

Re: What are my chances....

iapetus_rocks — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 06:51:29 GMT

"Legionnaires' or Legionellosis, is caused by a bacteria, Legionella pneumophila. It is a respiratory disease that can cause severe pneumonia and is sometimes fatal.

How can a hot water tank give you Legionnaires’ Disease?

The Legionella bacteria can multiply exceptionally well in warm water, between 25° to 50°C. If infected water is inhaled in small airborne droplets of the water, as would happen when taking a shower, the individual could end up with the disease.

The solution is to keep the hot water INSIDE the tank set to a minimum of 60°C. This applies to all electric and gas storage tank systems, including solar and heat pump units, which also have storage tanks. Your plumber would have set your system up to run at 60°C when it was installed. http://www.elgas.com.au/blog/360-legionnaires-disease-from-your-hot-water-tank"

Conserving power use is a good thing, up to a point, perhaps. Be careful. 😉

Re: What are my chances....

lloydslights — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:00:13 GMT

Why is there a screw/knob to adjust the temperature if it is advised not to adjust it?

Why would people need temps greater than 60degrees? Just curious.

Oops just thought of one reason - cast iron bath - takes the heat out of the water. But not a lot of those around now.

DEB

Re: What are my chances....

2106greencat — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:03:06 GMT

@polksaladallie wrote:
Don't you have your own HW system?

I have always altered mine to my choice renting or owning.

Nope - communal and it can not be be accessed by tennants, only management.

Even if i Ihad thought of turning it down, I couldn't have.

stawks, thanks for that link, I must just give it a go and speak to the other tennants, cheers

Re: What are my chances....

2106greencat — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:04:18 GMT

@lloydslights wrote:
Why is there a screw/knob to adjust the temperature if it is advised not to adjust it?

Why would people need temps greater than 60degrees? Just curious.

Oops just thought of one reason - cast iron bath - takes the heat out of the water. But not a lot of those around now.

DEB

and no choice where I live Deb, can't even get to it..

Re: What are my chances....

2106greencat — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:05:57 GMT

@freddie*rooster wrote:
I would definately make a complaint, this is something you had no control over and this should have been checked. Do you rent through a RE or privately green kitty?

RE Freddie, who are the BC managers as well.

I don't want to be a whinging tennant but it is a little unfair I think.

Re: What are my chances....

2106greencat — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:06:59 GMT

@siggie-reported-by-alarmists wrote:
@2106greencat wrote:
probably buckleys to none, but here is my gripe anyway.

I have been renting an apartment (total 8 apartments, 3 level high rise) for 18 months...for the first 15 months my power bills were coming in at around $385.00 a quarter......just me, I work full time and then some, so they were pretty exxy I thought, but hey, what can you do??

Three months ago, Body Corporate organised OHS safety checks etc, and the electricians found the water temps were set way too high and came around and adjusted them a week later.......

last power bill (yesterday) $216.00.......

so for 5 billing cycles I have paid an extra $800 through no fault of my own.....

What do you reckon my chances are of getting this re-imbursed??

I know there is no chance, it just really urks me, I am doing okay, but there is a young couple with a couple of kids who live beneath me and they are struggling, this sort of corporate foul up really p****s me off

Rant over, as you were..
It's not your fault....however, you have used and received the benefits of the hot water.

Be glad that your temp has now been set lower, thus saving on future bills.

If I can't get them to reimburse the money, maybe I can sue them for 3rd degree burns LOL

Re: What are my chances....

siggie-reported-by-alarmists — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:22:06 GMT

I would put it down to a lesson learnt (not burnt!)..........

Re: What are my chances....

freddie*rooster — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:52:40 GMT

@2106greencat wrote:
@freddie*rooster wrote:
I would definately make a complaint, this is something you had no control over and this should have been checked. Do you rent through a RE or privately green kitty?
RE Freddie, who are the BC managers as well.

I don't want to be a whinging tennant but it is a little unfair I think.

You are the paying tenant greenkitty make a complaint for sure. If you don't do some whinging they walk all over you. Thats why the RE missed out on selling fee when we bought our unit from the owner, they were AH so we went behind their back and contacted the owner privately

Re: What are my chances....

cherry*135 — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 08:15:47 GMT

You could call the Fair Trading Dept in your state and ask them for advice. IF you don't have any real chance of being reimbursed might as well find that out first, before making complaints with the Body Corporate ( being a whinging tenant as you put it, although you have a legitimate complaint)

How old is the apartment block? The temps must have been set too high for years.

Re: What are my chances....

cherry*135 — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 08:19:16 GMT

RE Freddie, who are the BC managers as well

The RE estate is a strata management company as well?

There will be a body corporate committee as well, the owner(s) of the apartments are on that.

Re: What are my chances....

katydidthat — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 08:25:07 GMT

Have a look at the strata management/body corporate policies - although they are more likely to apply to unit owners.. If you like, you can also google "free legal advice QLD" and ask a lawyer online.

And, for the best advice 🙂 you can check out the Tenants Union and call them for an appointment.

Re: What are my chances....

the_hawk* — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:12:01 GMT

Just because the new standard has a lower temp doesnt mean it was set wrong prior.

Re: What are my chances....

lloydslights — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 20:02:50 GMT

True Hawk.

However, perhaps compensation could be sought for the period the new standard became applicable to current

DEB

Re: What are my chances....

softail-joanie — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 23:37:39 GMT

I would say it couldn't hurt to bring it up, but I wouldn't make that as a promise as it might hurt if they shut you off or cause you to loose your apartment. Maybe a friendly casual reminder. My dad had to pay a massive water bill because his water line broke and wasn't detected for a long time, If its past a certain point on the property line, the resident is responsible.

He keeps a much closer eye on it now. And because I fetch water in jugs to carry to this camper used to wash my hands and then soapy water left over from that used to flush the toilet, I have to hear about what his water costs, and electric since I have a cord ran from his garage. lol. But I'm gonna make him right on it if and when i get in a better place,like into an apartment. where I'll probibly have to deal with that kind of thing too.