[IntlSet]

Every state is different, but in Illinois, I believe it is against the law for an electric company (ComEd here) to turn off your electricity.

So what happens if you never register with them?

My girlfriend has been living in her apartment for about a year now and got all those letters saying, "We've noticed activity in your apartment and our electric meters show blah blah. Please send your name to us so we can bill you."

Just curious. I wouldn't have the guts to find out myself!

[Sternchen]

Yikes, I wouldn't have the guts either!

[MissTiss]

Florida here. I've had mine shut off a few times in the past. Broke. For a day or two.

I imagine eventually she could be sued for payment. Kinda like stealing cable. Here my lease requires me to show an account number with the electric company for verification. I had to show it prior to my move in date. Per the lease language I would be in default (and could be evicted) if I didn't have a valid and paid current water and electric bill.

[lovinalotofbags]

Sooner or later she will pay. The electric company will turn off your electricity. Been there a couple of times for about a couple of hours each. If there is one utility you absolutely need, it is electricity. You can live without phone or cable.

[Bella]

Nice.... and all the people who DO pay end having to make up for those who don't.

....but, yes, I do believe in some states during the winter months they are not allowed to cut off service.

[IntlSet]

Originally Posted by BellaFiore

....but, yes, I do believe in some states during the winter months they are not allowed to cut off service.

Oh Bella, you are right... maybe in Illinois, where the winters are brutal, that's the only time they're not allowed to... or when the temps dip below a certain temp. It's been like 10 months now and she still has her electricity, so... we'll see.

[siworae]

Is there a reason why she hasn't registered? I would think they'd cut off electricity by now.

[pidgeon92]

I'm really surprised they haven't cut her off. If the gas company can shut off your heat - which Peoples Gas does regularly - then I can't imagine why ComEd would be any different.

And I can tell you who is going to get stuck with the bill... The landlord. ComEd got me good once for a tenant that didn't pay. Shame on your friend.

[redney]

^^^yeah, that's sucky if her landlord gets stuck with the bill...could the landlord or managment company of her apartment bill her retroactively (?)

[Bella]

Originally Posted by IntlSet

Oh Bella, you are right... maybe in Illinois, where the winters are brutal, that's the only time they're not allowed to... or when the temps dip below a certain temp. It's been like 10 months now and she still has her electricity, so... we'll see.

Well, hopefully she'll get one large bill eventually. I'd think it would be coming if she pays other utilities in her name, shouldn't be hard to assess. Sorry, but it hits a nerve with me to hear things like this. Your friend should be registered and be paying her bill like the rest of us.

[carvedwords]

I'm surprised she hasn't been sent a huge bill. There will be one coming, though.

[fatefullotus]

I'm not quite positive on this, but assuming your friend rents, the next step the util company could take is to contact the owner of the building and demand access to the meters and info about the tenant (such as name), possibly through a court order.

BTW, why doesn't your friend pay the gas bill? Is it just for kicks, to see how long she can get away with it? My gas bill during the summer months here is roughly $50/month -- certainly much lower than my phone or cable bill. It definitely wouldn't be the first bill I would skimp on if I were trying to save $.

[freckled]

Why wouldnt you? I am not sure why you wouldnt pay for electric unless it was included in the rent??

[ellacoach]

I'm in Maine and it's against the law for Central Maine Power to turn off your electricity between November 15th and April 15th (I think it's April but I know for sure the start date is November)...I've never had my power turned off, but have been told this by a couple of people and heard it on the news.

[madamefifi]

Originally Posted by redney

^^^yeah, that's sucky if her landlord gets stuck with the bill...could the landlord or managment company of her apartment bill her retroactively (?)

It is possible that the person who last lived in her apt. will be retroactively billed, at least that's what happens here in VA. It is the tenant's responsibility to notify the electric company when they move in and when they move out. I know several people who have had the electric company come after them for electric bills from years ago.