|
Bronx Tenants Claim Faulty Meters Ran Up Massive Bills
NY1 News, July 21, 2009
Video Clip: http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/102629/bronx-tenants-claim-faulty-meters-ran-up-massive-bills/Default.aspx
Some tenants in the MorrisHeights section of the Bronx are battling with their landlord over what they call "unfair" utility charges.
Residents and housing advocates rallied outside Riverview Apartments Monday where they called on the Public Service Commission to overturn a practice known as submetering. That's where Con Ed sends one bill to the landlord, who then calculates each tenant's meter and bills them individually.
But residents claim improperly installed and malfunctioning meters have led to wildly fluctuating readings, leading to excessive charges -- some as much as $400.
"The landlord installed the system last year and there has been multiple problems with it ever since the beginning, including lack of about the change from having the electricity as part of their rent to receiving separate new bills for the electric utilities," said Urban Justice Center Attorney Garrett Wright.
"I don't think the landlord is concerned about the tenants. I think the landlord is concerned about making money. And as long as they can get the people to not respond and pay these electrical charges that's what they want," said Riverview Apartments tenant Naomi Jenkins. "And that's what will happen if people don't stand up for their rights."
Their landlord, Riverview Redevelopment Company, has countered with a lawsuit over nonpayment of utility bills.
They say tenants are offered reduced rent in exchange and were well notified of the change to submetering.
Con Ed says the spat is between the two parties, and not with the utility.
PSC says once the petition is filed, it will be thoroughly reviewed and investigated.
|
