A tenant from Lower Austria has been fighting with excessive electricity accounts for months. It is now supposed to pay electricity that others have used up.
“My aunt is 80 years old, lives alone and no longer understands this,” said Eva K. of the Ombuds woman. Since Maria M. moved to her new apartment in November 2023, everything went wrong. Mrs. M. already had an increased electricity bill in 2024, but she thought everything was correct. Because she had just been withdrawn, she did not want to stand out negatively. But when the annual account was in the mailbox in March, the shock came: it is said that it used more than 7500 kWh. The invoice was more than 3000 euros. Money that Mrs. M. does not have, but especially money to pay for electricity that she cannot have used up.
The electricity meter measures the entire outdoor space
An electrician commissioned soon discovered that the electricity meter not only Meet the apartment of Mrs. M., but also the entire outdoor space and the garages. According to the electrician, this is of course not okay and must be corrected.
Neither the EVN electricity supplier, nor the landlord saw himself as a duty. The EVN regrets the situation and would like to help, but they could not, because: “Connections according to the counter are not in our area of responsibility.” The landlord did not report on a request from the ombudsist, but explained the lower Austrian: the electricity for the garage is now registered separately, “he has nothing else assessed”.
Complaint possible for reimbursement
According to EVN, the meter of Mrs. M., and that is why it has to pay the high electricity costs, if not, a current closure can even take place. A payment of installment can be obtained by intervening in the niece.
On request at the Tenant Association of Austria, it was recommended to propose a lawsuit: “In this case the damage would be the amount that Mrs. M. paid too much to the electricity provider. Caution was offered, there is a restriction period of three years after knowledge of the damage and the injured party (= landlord).”
How can you protect yourself?
The Ombuds woman asked how he could avoid a situation as a tenant in advance. The best tip for this: separate all devices from the network and check whether the meter stand is still increasing. Moreover, one must also take a look at the electricity consumption of model households. And as in the case of Mrs. M., it really only helps to consult an electrician.
The niece of Mrs. M. is disappointed that her aunt will only be the legal process: “I wonder how you can leave an old woman alone. The error has been documented, but nobody wants to take responsibility,” says Eva K., but she will soon receive legal advice to actively support her aunt in a lawsuit.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
