ISTA North America ISTA's Magical Bills. No heat high bill, cannot turn heat off huge bill! Alpharetta Georgia
Our apartment complex (owned by HOME PROPERTIES) uses ISTA for water, sewer, and gas. During the months of Oct-Jan we had literally no heat. During that time our ISTA bill was about $100.00 a month.
Since January we have been unable to turn our heat off, our thermostat is off, heat is blowing out of the vents, and some days we have all the windows open. It has been warm in PA the last few months and we thought that by turning it all the way off, our bills would be reduced. However, each month the bill is higher. Our electric bill has went down over the last few months and we are not the type that remembers to turn off the lights or tv. We pay more to live in an apartment than we paid in our last HOME.
How is it that ISTA can pick a figure and then divide it by a miscellaneous number and we MUST pay it or be evicted? It is now considered "rent" for our complex so if we refuse to pay unless they give us accurrate readings, we could be evicted. When we moved in we were told that we would pay what we actually use; SO it doesn't matter how many showers we take or if someone's toilet is broken. We are being forced to pay for it.
These people are contracted by apartment companies to take more money out of the renter's pockets. They will not give us any information as to how they come up with these figures, or why they will not turn our heat on in the coldest part of winter or turn it off in the spring. We'r forced to freeze or burn up whether we like it or not. And on top of that, we get to pay to be miserable. But without ISTA bill,we would break our lease and could be sued. So we're stuck til August.
Research your apartment complex more thoroughly and ask specifically if you'll pay for actual usage. Apartment complexes LOVE ISTA but how to the tenants feel about it?
Gremi
Near Philly, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Cory
San Antonio,Texas,
U.S.A.
Does Anyone Else Find This Ironic?
#6Consumer Comment
Fri, March 20, 2009
"We are not the type that remembers to turn off the lights or TV". Yet they are complaining about their bill. Notice in the last paragraph how they suggest that you research your complex more thoroughly and ask if you'll pay for actual useage. See first sentance. They could be in even more trouble.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Suggestion...
#6Consumer Comment
Fri, March 20, 2009
This sounds like more of an issue with your Apartment Complex rather than ITSA. ITSA is only a BILLING company. They have nothing to do with the maintenance of the apartments.
If you had no heat, or now can't shut off your heat you have to contact your apartment complex. As that is a habitability issue that as landlords they are generally required to address and fix the problem. If they refuse to fix it you MAY have grounds to break your lease without penalty. But before you go down this road you need to read your lease over, as well as understanding your local laws.
If your bill does not say "Estimated", then ask your complex where YOUR meter is and verify that the number is what your bill says(or within reason to account for additional useage since the read). If it does say "Estimated" talk to your complex and find out why they are not getting actual reads. This will also get you the real story on if it is your meter only. Which again is a management issue if they told you it was individual and it is actually shared.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Suggestion...
#6Consumer Comment
Fri, March 20, 2009
This sounds like more of an issue with your Apartment Complex rather than ITSA. ITSA is only a BILLING company. They have nothing to do with the maintenance of the apartments.
If you had no heat, or now can't shut off your heat you have to contact your apartment complex. As that is a habitability issue that as landlords they are generally required to address and fix the problem. If they refuse to fix it you MAY have grounds to break your lease without penalty. But before you go down this road you need to read your lease over, as well as understanding your local laws.
If your bill does not say "Estimated", then ask your complex where YOUR meter is and verify that the number is what your bill says(or within reason to account for additional useage since the read). If it does say "Estimated" talk to your complex and find out why they are not getting actual reads. This will also get you the real story on if it is your meter only. Which again is a management issue if they told you it was individual and it is actually shared.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Suggestion...
#6Consumer Comment
Fri, March 20, 2009
This sounds like more of an issue with your Apartment Complex rather than ITSA. ITSA is only a BILLING company. They have nothing to do with the maintenance of the apartments.
If you had no heat, or now can't shut off your heat you have to contact your apartment complex. As that is a habitability issue that as landlords they are generally required to address and fix the problem. If they refuse to fix it you MAY have grounds to break your lease without penalty. But before you go down this road you need to read your lease over, as well as understanding your local laws.
If your bill does not say "Estimated", then ask your complex where YOUR meter is and verify that the number is what your bill says(or within reason to account for additional useage since the read). If it does say "Estimated" talk to your complex and find out why they are not getting actual reads. This will also get you the real story on if it is your meter only. Which again is a management issue if they told you it was individual and it is actually shared.
Dee
Florida,Florida,
U.S.A.
Have you
#6Consumer Suggestion
Fri, March 20, 2009
contacted your apartment complex about this? since you are set up through them, they are partially responsible for solving your problem.
Did you call the heating/air co to come out and fix?