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Energy board bars use in rentals after tenants complained of landlords off-loading hydro costs.
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/607832
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/607832
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Smart meters banned in apartments
- Thread starter Automation Gallery
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M
mdavie
Guest
I have a 'smart' meter in my building. There building is a hundred years old so it would have had to be installed during the ban. Can I get it switched back or would the landlord be able to raise the monthly fee?
northstar
New Member
I'm confused. I fail to see how this is an example of "big bad landlords".
What happened to energy conservation?
As I tenant, I think I would "want" to have a smart meter, so that I could monitor my hydro usage, and try to lower the costs.
A common charge for hydro means that my rent would be higher, to pay for other tenant's inefficient energy conservation.
The loser who filed this complaint is probably one of the worst wasters of hydro.
What happened to energy conservation?
As I tenant, I think I would "want" to have a smart meter, so that I could monitor my hydro usage, and try to lower the costs.
A common charge for hydro means that my rent would be higher, to pay for other tenant's inefficient energy conservation.
The loser who filed this complaint is probably one of the worst wasters of hydro.
M
mdavie
Guest
Very true. Good call.
ShonTron
Moderator
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In fairness, the "loser" was probably someone who had the landlord use the practice to pass off a rent increase or higher than permitted increase. As long as landlords are open and honest and pass on the savings, I don't see the problem. But there are bad landlords out there too. It can take one bad landlord to ruin it for for the good, honest ones out there.
afransen
Senior Member
That seems like a better idea than banning the meters. Defeats the purpose...
Tuscani01
Senior Member
This only applies to meters installed by companies other than Toronto Hydro. Under the ban, only Toronto Hydro will be allowed to install smart meters. The ones being banned are installed by private companies to allow landlords to monitor how much electricity is being used, and split the bill amongst all the tenants themselves.
M
mdavie
Guest
That's exactly what is used on my building. I get my bill from the building, not Toronto Hydro.
Tuscani01
Senior Member
I guess that means you may be getting a break, or end up paying more in rent to make up for those who use more electricity. Eventually smart meters will be installed in all buildings though, so this law would be useless.
Monarch Butterfly
Superstar
The problem with Toronto Hydro doing the metering is that they charge a fee which includes a fixed charge for accounting. With submetering, the accounting fee is split or absorbed. Hydro wants the fees to come to them.
dt_toronto_geek
Superstar
Smart Meters have become a nightmare in my building. One thing for sure, anyone who moved in as of Aug. 1 2009 pays hydro on top of their monthly rent and the rents have not been adjusted since this went into effect. It's a cash grab for some landlords, including mine in an aging, poorly insulated building with built-in combo electric AC/heating units.
dt_toronto_geek
Superstar
Saturday's CBC's The National did a piece on Smart Meters, and it's smart technology. We're having one hell of a problem in my building with these things, they've turned into a nightmare. Now another potential concern (Toronto Hydro is not our provider here).
This is a video piece, volume is required.
Link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/TV_Shows/The_National/ID=1426049404
This is a video piece, volume is required.
Link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/TV_Shows/The_National/ID=1426049404
Darwinkgo
Active Member
Would be interesting to see if smart meter data would hold up in court as an alibi.