New law calls halt to landlords cranking up bills

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buksida
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New law calls halt to landlords cranking up bills

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A new law prohibiting apartment owners from overcharging tenants for electricity and water took effect Tuesday in a move to ensure lease contracts are fair.

PM's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana said strict controls on utility charges were needed after the authorities received growing complaints of unusually high monthly electricity and water bills from many apartment lessees.

In some cases the bills were three times the normal rates, he said.

Some landlords have reportedly lowered the charges to avoid getting in trouble with the law only to mark up the monthly central maintenance fee paid by tenants to make up for the shortfall.

Mr Suwaphan, who chairs the Consumer Protection Board (CPB), said he will send officials to inspect apartments to keep owners in line with the law.

The law requires landlords to charge electricity and water fees at the standard rates set by utility authorities. For electricity, it is 3.90 baht a unit and tap water 7 baht a unit.


Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... g-up-bills
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StevePIraq
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Re: New law calls halt to landlords cranking up bills

Post by StevePIraq »

Good luck in implementing this, the will need thousands of inspectors.

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Re: New law calls halt to landlords cranking up bills

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The law only applies to landlords with 5 or more apartments.
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buksida
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Re: New law calls halt to landlords cranking up bills

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So if you're renting four houses out you can legally rip off your tenants and charge what you like for amenities. :banghead:

Great job Mr Suwaphan.
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Big Boy
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Re: New law calls halt to landlords cranking up bills

Post by Big Boy »

Does this only apply to homes? I'm thinking of the complexes where many homes are built on land, where the land is leased. In some of these cases, the 'landlord' controls the electricity supply that is sold on to residents at an inflated rate. Has that cash cow now been shot, and put to bed?
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