bob_nestor wrote:
Seems the OP is asking for information to counter her landlord's assertion that she's using an excess amount of electricity. The only way she can win that argument is to prove to him that his assertion is wrong and that can only be done by unplugging entirely. The risk though is that it could also prove her landlord to be correct, after all, in his mind an increase of $1/mo in his bill could be deemed "excessive". Arguing with him using facts and figures unrelated to what he's seeing, or thinks he's seeing in his bills will probably just end up angering him, as will trying to point out that he's not spreading his costs fairly with his other borders. It's his property, his bills and his feeling about where the costs should be spread that really matters.
Not trying to be mean, but the emotional arguments about being disabled, not being able to find someplace else to park the RV, trying to reduce usage by not using lights or TV, not being able to heat with propane because of a broken furnace, etc are really of no concern to the landlord and not his problem. His problem is he thinks he's seeing higher electrical bills because of the OPs use of electricity in her RV. That problem needs to be solved, not countered with argument.
So unless the OP has a legally binding contract, I believe there are three possible solutions: 1) reduce and/or eliminate her use of electricity for heating to a level acceptable to her landlord, 2) move, or 3) negotiate a new deal with the landlord.
I have to agree, the emotional arguements aren't going to help your case with the landlord. More likely, it will give him reason to "encourage" you to leave and not to rent to people in a difficult situation in the future. In the end, he is operating a buisness. If it's not profitable enough for him (and he gets to decide what is enough), he will raise prices or end the buisness.
Even if you have a legally binding contract, as stated before, you might win the battle but lose the war. Sure for the next 6 months, the landlord is trapped but once the lease is up, the rates could double or tripple in an effort to encourage you to leave.
If you are plugged into a standard 15amp household outlet, go get yourself a killowatt meter (about $20) at most home repair stores. Talk to your landlord first and then plug that into the outlet and your extension cord into the killowatt. It has a setting that will measure the total KW-H that you consume.
If you really are using minimal power, it will show up and should calm your landlord down...of course, if he's right, you will have proved it to him.
