What is a public utility?It is a public utility district (PUD) or governmental agency such as a city or county that provides water, electricity or gas. We call these the "provider.” Show
Who should not read this?Do not read this if the utility is provided by a private source, such as a community well of a homeowners' association, a cooperative such as Inland Power and Light, or a privately owned utility company, such as Puget Power, Pacific Power and Light, Washington Water Power, Cascade Natural Gas, Northwest Natural Gas or Washington Natural Gas. Can the provider refuse to put service in my name?No. But you may have to do some things before you can get service in your name. Examples:
Can I pay an average monthly amount throughout the year to avoid high winter heating bills or summer water bills?Yes. Any provider of utility service to heat your home, or cities providing water, must offer customers with low incomes "budget billing" or "equal payment." It must do this no matter what time of year you ask for it, how long you have lived there, and whether you rent or own. Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 480-90-138. I have kids. Can the provider shut off my service?Yes. There is no statewide protection against utility shut-off for people with kids. Some counties or cities have protections. Ask yours about this. They may work with you if both these are true:
Can the provider shut off my service for nonpayment in the winter?
Am I responsible for bills the landlord or the last tenant did not pay?Usually, no. See next paragraph for exceptions. You may have to pay a reconnect fee if the utility was shut off. You are probably responsible for all or part of the past bills in someone else's name if you had an individual obligation, such as you lived at the address during the time billed, or you agreed with the landlord or last tenant to pay the bill for that period. Can they charge me for someone else's bill without my consent?Generally, you are only liable for anyone else's bill if you agree to be. However, property owners are liable for utilities provided to the land they own, even if the tenant was supposed to pay. You do not have to sign a paper to be liable for someone else's bill. Consistently paying someone else's bill, having your name on their account, or promising you would pay may all look like agreeing to be responsible for their account. I have been responsible for someone else's account in the past. I no longer want to be. What should I do?Send the provider a dated, written statement stating you will no longer be responsible. Include name(s) and account number(s). Keep a copy of the letter for yourself. If charges for those accounts show up on your bill anyway, see "What if I disagree with my bill," below. My landlord did not pay their bill. Can the provider shut off my service?Yes, but you must get written advance notice of the shut-off and a chance to appeal. Different providers have different notice periods and procedures.
If the utility is already in your name, or you and the landlord agreed you would pay the utility, you are already responsible for payment. Contact the provider about a repayment plan. If your landlord is currently responsible for the bill, the provider should give you both:
Then you will be responsible for future bills. The provider cannot make you pay the landlord’s or past tenant’s past bills. If the provider tries, you can send the provider a letter based on the Sample Letter. You may have to pay a security deposit and/or reconnect fee. While you are negotiating with the provider, talk to the landlord, too. State landlord-tenant law prohibits the landlord from shutting off your utilities even if you are behind in rent. A landlord who intentionally shuts off service faces penalties including money damages, attorney's fees and court costs for you. RCW 59.18.300. To collect from the landlord for intentionally shutting off your utility and/or failing to pay the bill, read How do I Sue in Small Claims Court and Tenants' Rights. If you deduct from your rent before winning a judgment against the landlord in court, you may be evicted. Talk to a lawyer first. What if I did not get any notice that my service would be shut off?
A city utility must make a reasonable effort to provide written notice to your address at least seven days before cutting service if any of these is true:
If they shut off your service without giving you the required notice, call the utility immediately. Talk to the person in charge. They should turn your service back on right away and keep it on until you get proper notice and a chance to respond. If the utility will not restore service, ask to speak to the lawyer who handles its affairs. This is often the city attorney. What if I disagree with my bill?If the bill is too high because of a water leak or other emergency not your fault, the provider may work with you to make a payment plan and/or cancel part of the charge. Call the provider. Explain what happened. They do not have to work with you. The more polite you are, the better your chances. Any time you disagree with the bill amount, call the provider right away. State why you disagree. If you cannot fix the problem this way, ask for an administrative hearing. When do I have to ask for an administrative hearing?Your provider may have a deadline to ask for a hearing after you get a bill. You should ask for a hearing even if you are trying to work things out with the provider. If the informal process does not work, you will not have missed the deadline.
What should I bring to the hearing?
What if I disagree with the hearing officer’s decision?The hearing officer will explain any appeal rights you have. Can I get help paying my utility bills?Maybe. Some providers discount electrical service to senior citizens and income families with a low income. Ask your provider. Most PUDs have funds to help households with low incomes with utility bills they cannot pay, especially in winter. Different PUDs have different eligibility requirements. You can also try your local Community Action Program (CAP) and DSHS office. DSHS’ programs for families with children, Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs (AREN) and Additional Requirements (AR), can help with facing shut off. This help is only available once a year. Read Additional Requirements. Where can I get more info?PUDs and other providers must give you written info about:
This info includes explanations about:
The provider must send you this info if you ask for it. The full list of info you are entitled to is in WAC 480-90-103. This publication provides general information concerning your rights and responsibilities. It is not intended as a substitute for specific legal advice. © 2018 Northwest Justice Project — 1-888-201-1014 (Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Alliance for Equal Justice and to individuals for non-commercial purposes only.) 0700EN How often should I receive an electric bill?We bill you based on your energy usage when we have a meter reading or we have to estimate if we don't have a recent meter read. When do I get a bill? We only send out a bill twice a year. You'll receive a bill monthly.
How often are electricity bills Perth?Here are some stats which might help. You will receive an electricity bill from us every two months. The average bill for a smaller 2 bedroom x 1 bathroom household is around $212*, a medium 4 bedroom x 2 bathroom household is around $332* and a larger 5 bedroom x 3 bathroom household is around $491*.
How much is the electric bill in Washington state?Electric bills in Washington
In Washington, the average monthly electric bill for residential consumers is $109/month, which is calculated by multiplying the average monthly consumption by the average electric rate: 945 kWh * 12 ¢/kWh.
How often does Seattle City Light bill come?Most residential customers receive a bill every two months. The bill shows your energy usage for the two-month billing period and the rate charged based on your service area and time of year (winter or summer).
|
How often do you get electricity bills in WA?
Postagens relacionadas
direito autoral © 2024 cumeu Inc.
