Challenge Excess Utility Fees in Shared Meter Buildings

Cost Savings

Checklist Tasks

• Request a detailed utility charge breakdown to clarify meter readings and formulas.
• Compare billed usage to prior months and similar units to spot unexplained increases.
• Check for leaks or faulty appliances that could inflate shared costs.
• Research local utility billing laws to confirm your rights and landlord responsibilities.
• Document shared amenities billed to you for challenging unfair charges.
• Measure major appliance energy use to compare against billed amounts.
• Request master meter readings and logs to verify your reported utility share.
• Collect neighbor statements on charges to identify billing patterns.
• Draft a dispute letter citing billing discrepancies and evidence.
• Submit your dispute and escalate to tenant groups or regulators if unresolved.
• Log all communications for a record of your dispute.
• Negotiate for a corrected bill or reimbursement using your evidence and local laws.