So the layout of my apartment is kind of weird. It has like a half basement which you access down some stairs in the back, which is divided into storage and laundry room. Well, the laundry room is on our side of the house (it's a 1 story duplex). When we first moved in I was surprised how large our gas bill was - nothing insane, just 50-100% higher than any gas bill I had ever had before. Since the laundry room is right under us and there is no separate meter, Oliver and I think that we inadvertantly pay for the laundry room utilities (gas and electric, landlord pays for all the water).
Well, my neighbor's electricity was shut off on Tuesday. (The meters are outside and we pass them on the way to the parking area.) He lost his key to the laundry room long ago (long story short, we keep it locked to keep non-authorized people out, although this neighbor still trashes it), so his GF asked Oliver to let her into the laundry room. They're now running several extension cords from the laundry room up through a window of their apartment.
Last night I was on my computer and I saw what I've always assumed is his internet router on, giving a signal. So aside from powering a light or two, I think it's powering his internet/computer (why you would decide paying for electricity is not necessary but internet is, I don't know).
I'm assuming here he won't be fixing this situation soon, since 1) they give you plenty of notice before they shut off your electricity and 2) he's developed a plan to deal with it.
WWED? Clarify with the landlord if the laundry room is hooked up to our meter? Notify the landlord of the fire hazard that is several extension cords going out a window? (Though if I feared the house burning down anytime this neighbor did something dumb, I'd live in a constant state of fear.) Wait until we get our utility bill and then confront him about it if our bill is high? FWIW, there have been 2 other occassions where we've had abnormally high electric bills, and now I'm thinking something like this might be behind it.
my read shelf:
40/112