[helpawomanout]

First of all I had a certified electrician confirm my wiring is very screwy and it is being stolen. The problem is we can't figure out which wire. It is being tapped in from the circuit breaker. It appears to be an inside job. It is being stolen from a neighbor. I live in a 1 bedroom apartment and 1 bathroom. All the utility usage confirms it. It appears to be my neighbor at night while I'm asleep. I'm having to move because of this. As soon as I know which wire(s), I can get out and never look back. We need more proof to get into his place. I live by myself and I'm single and just moved from Texas. I have a lab (thank god) but I know that's why they put me here. The last tenant became "paranoid" and left. What is strange is when I used the bathroom in the middle of the night I turn on the light and everything went off. I could here him cussing. Apparently his went off too. It was an overload of wattage. My AC went off and I turned mine off from the circuit breaker. Instantly I heard his cut off. How can he tap in like this without it being a visible double tapping? He's definitely stealing because he can't having anything in his name (found out he has a bad past). My electrician removed all the previous double tappings. I have photos of the wires and the box that I can share. It's unbelievable how many wires there are. Every night I wake up to to no electricity because he's using all of mine. I really appreciate you all taking the time for this. It has been the biggest headache and I am beyond mad. I have been taken advantage of because they think I'm dumb and not notice he's stealing from me. Thank you all. I have to figure this out fast since I was told to move for my safety. It's a dangerous situation. You all are all I have since everyone is too scared of this prick. :vs_no_no_no:

 

[Speedy Petey]

NO! We are NOT all you have left. Call your utility immediately and complain. They take this stuff very seriously.

 

[helpawomanout]

The utility company told me I have to call maintenance and leasing and obviously they are involved. My electrician reported it, but there's only so much they can do now. Now, my leasing office wants me to sign a release for them to come in my place. Now that says everything!

 

[al_smelter]

If a competent electrician cannot figure out what is happening in person, there is no way that anyone can help you out from here, no matter how many pictures we look at.

Also, if your electrician cannot figure out what is happening, I can't be sure he is competent. It can be somewhat investigative, but it is usually logical, and it isn't rocket science.

Your landlord can be held accountable in many cases for this kind of practice. If this is a rental, you really should consider contacting your housing authority before you do much else.

 

[paintdrying]

Something is not right here. What is the state and the electricians license number. Stealing enough power to run the ac unit? This guy was slick enough to run wiring through two apartments with no damage?
The building may have been like this before anyone even moved in. I get calls from tenants with all sort of complaints. One lady told me the guy up stairs was lowing cameras down the heating vents. Was following her from the rooms above, listening to her phone calls.
You can not live somewhere without electric service. I would be nice about it but the landlord probably knows something

 

[dmxtothemax]

Also, if your electrician cannot figure out what is happening, I can't be sure he is competent. It can be somewhat investigative, but it is usually logical, and it isn't rocket science.

DITTO !

This is ABC stuff
any electrician should be able to work this one out !

Find a better electrician,
whilst any electrician can easily work this one out
Some may not wish to become involved.

:vs_cool:

 

[mako1]

You say "I have a lab". It would not happen to be a meth lab would it?

 

[Colbyt]

Or it might just be that troll school is out for spring break.

 

[Nik333]

You say "I have a lab". It would not happen to be a meth lab would it?

A dog?

 

[Nik333]

It's a dangerous situation. You all are all I have since everyone is too scared of this prick. :vs_no_no_no:

Did you call the police? It is a crime. The police can talk to your landlord.

Electric utilities can document your usage very frequently. Save your bills.
They ( utilities) will help with any theft above the breaker box, their electricity, but not a conduit below.

You can turn off all the breakers & padlock the breaker box if it's yours. What state are you in? Life is livable without electricity for awhile, in some climates. The guy may make other plans, then.

As they said, an electrician should be able to help you, as should the police.

Have the leasing office come in after you've told the police.

Your doctor should be able to help you with your understandable anxiety over this. Tell him/her about it. Good luck!

 

[joed]

Now, my leasing office wants me to sign a release for them to come in my place.

Is there some reason you don't want them in your place? Have a friend or relative there with you when they come if you are afraid to be alone with them.

 

[Gymschu]

Threads like this should begin and end with: "Call your landlord."

Without permission or some sort of written contract, there's no way in hell I would want a tenant hiring contractors to do work on MY apartments. I would evict anyone who did such a thing.

If the landlord isn't willing to assist you in this matter, then indeed call the electric company as was suggested and/or call the police.

 

[dmxtothemax]

You really have two choices
Stand your ground and do something about it !

Or simply move out !

There is no simple answer.

 

[Nik333]

Imo, she really feels this way.

 

[AllanJ]

Do you have any branch circuits that do not appear to have been tapped?

You might use some extension cords to connect the refrigerator to one of those circuits and shut off the rest of "your" power when you go out while you are investigating ths.

Not to say you should do this but I have the guts to rectify any problem of this kind and within my scope of knowledge on the spot myself despite lacking a license and not owning the building. Now whatver I did would be professional looking so someone who was not in on the power theft would not see that tampering was done.

 

[helpawomanout]

Thank you all so much. Yes, it's a dog I have not a meth lab. And no, I do not need a psychologist. The reason I hired a licensed electrician here was because after I found the contractors here without my knowledge when I first moved in. I knew it was a red flag as the contractor did not have permission to come in when I first moved. The electrician immediately notified the cops when he found so many abnormal wires. Anyhow my neighbor in question and leasing office are friends with the person in question. It just so happens that the person in question has active warrants out for his arrests in a different jurisdiction. I just want out of here now! I have all the usage reports and it verify's it. I was told by authorities to move, but it's in my best interests not to say a word. One problem... I have no money. I wish this was an exaggeration, but it's not. I like the idea of plugging the fridge in. Thank you! If we knew where the hidden wires were they could get into the neighbor's place and bust him. I know what areas of the place go out. I am beyond furious. I have lost money and now I have fear that I have never had before. I am considering a homeless shelter, but I worry about my dog. You can private message me and explain to me how someone can hide the wires like this. I've never heard or seen anything like this in my life. Usually I'm good at figuring stuff out. It's not right that I'm the one being treated like the criminal. I will be charged for $5,000 to break my lease very early, which I can't do. Ugh darn druggie! Thank you all so much.

 

[Msradell]

I will be charged for $5,000 to break my lease very early, which I can't do. Ugh darn druggie! Thank you all so much.

$5000 to break the lease? That's an absurd amount of money to charge, I've never heard of a charge that high to break the lease.

 

[scyarch]

Actually owning rental property, I can attest- it's illegal for your landlord to not do anything about this. What you can, however do- is get a third party to verify your findings of abnormal electrical use, get it documented and show the landlord and if he refuses to do anything, legal action can be taken- against the landlord. The simplest thing I would say is to just unplug EVERYTHING in your unit, stoves, microwaves, friges, and keep all the lights off, and go find your electrical meter which should show that there is no electricity flowing. If a third party also documents everything has been unplugged, there is no way for electricity to flow, yet the meter is still going, then there is an issue. Also- find out if your fridge is on the same circuit that kills their power, and if it's not- leave that breaker on and shut every other breaker off before you go to bed, habitually for a week (or just the breaker that may be the cuplrit)... assuming you're brave enough.

 

[Nik333]

I will be charged for $5,000 to break my lease very early, which I can't do. Ugh darn druggie! Thank you all so much.

Once you have the electrician's written statement, with photo, a police report, the increased electric bill & the receipt for a certified letter to the landlord, you can just move. ( I did read your concern about money. . .)

Let them chase you for the money. With proof, I would think a court would side with you. You can take them to Small Claims court. But, I am not a lawyer. Perhaps a friend or church member could keep your dog for awhile.

If you're not involved with a church or temple, now is the time.

Most states have landlord-tenant info on the Internet. I would think the theft and harassment would make it "uninhabitable." They are required, in many states, to store your belongings if you leave them behind.

I assume the $5000 is the rent that remains on the lease.

 

[helpawomanout]

Oh boy have I been praying. Everyone has been scared. I think you're right about about letting them chase me to small claims court. He won't win. This needs to be a live thread. I did find how the guy got into my circuit breaker and hid it. A fake AC vent to hide the wires. I put it together this evening. Boom! The electrician could not even do that. And that time I came walking in and the maintaince guy was doing work unexpectedly? That is what he was working on! Intuition is always right. Now I have my sanity and checking for a camera then hitting the road. I know stiches end up in ditches and I kind of would like to live a bit longer. What a predicament. What's more said is he will be getting free electricity in jail!