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Landlords are it worth to separate the electric in my 3 family units?

6:05 PM 01/12/2013

 

waytraina

I own a 3 family unit in which I pay the electric bill. Because of tenants misuse and during the summer months the bills ($500 a months) run high. I can simply replace each units with separate meters for the same amount I pay for electric yearly. Would it be worth installing separate meters for each unit?
Waytraina

 

 

Electricians
4 answers
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  • vote

    timber

    Brooklyn, NY

    Yes. Just do it. "penny wise, pound foolish". They will also use less if they pay for it themselve.

    10:41 PM 01/12/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    curiositykilledthecat

    Brooklyn, NY

    It's not as simple as hiring an electrician and installing 2 additional panels.  First and foremost, your building must be a legal and proper 3-family in order to have 3 separate electric panels.  ConEd will not set up the accounts without signoff from the City.  Further, Con Ed will only work with real, licensed electricians to set this up. 

    Second, your electrician will have to ensure that all the electric is *completely separate* for each unit.  Currently, it probably is not, and your costs will include having the electrician run additional wiring to fully separate all the accounts.
    Anyhow, good luck and keep us posted.

    11:16 PM 01/12/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

  • vote

    brokelin

    Also, if you don't live there, you'll have to have a fourth meter and account, billed to you, for the common areas lighting.

    7:05 PM 01/13/2013 | 1 Votes

     

     

    Comments (1)

    • daveinbedstuy

      Bedford Stuyvesant, NY

      Even if you do live there. Common area charges for lighting plus the furnace, etc.

      9:30 AM 01/14/2013

          

  • vote

    brokelin

    I was assuming they could be put on the owner's meter and account if the owner occupied one of the units.  Of course, the owner would then have a problem if they ever moved out and rented the unit out.

    5:41 PM 01/14/2013 | 0 Votes

     

     

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