It's On! Ike v Condo Association

I promise I don't like looking for trouble. I really don't. But those condo association turds downstairs are making things very difficult.

As stated in one of my earlier posts, the 'bill' we received was based on the building's total electricity consumption divided equally by the amount of condominiums in the building.

That alone is utterly offensive given 1) the bill includes a proportionment of various land tax and government levies that as a renter have nothing to do with me, 2) the building's common areas are lit up like a Christmas tree including a 27 storey l.e.d. feature that spans the entirety of the external wall and 3) perhaps the most obvious, 'equally dividing a bill' takes no account of individual consumption nor the size of people's different condominiums.

It gets worse.

Since arriving here I had given little thought to a very large (and locked) cupboard that faces opposite the lifts which open onto our floor. When we recently visited a friend a few floors up I noticed exactly the same cupboard. Yesterday when I was returning home, the lift doors opened up on our floor and I saw the cupboard door facing us slightly ajar. Poking my head in behind the door I saw a beautiful sight; 16 electricity meters servicing the 16 condominiums on the floor.

Each condominium is individually metered.

Now we could chalk off the first issue of proportioning electricity consumption versus an accurate reading of an individual's consumption. That left one other remaining issue, the claimed per KwH charge by Meralco (The Philippine's sole electricity provider).

The turds downstairs had claimed Meralco were charging a hefty 6.85 pesos per KwH. Comparable, if not slightly higher, than the rate we would enjoy back in Melbourne. The only problem with that (other than proof of higher prices when there is no competition), is Meralco claimed - after I called them and quoted the property's address - that the KwH charge is 4.95 per KwH.

Tomorrow I'm donning my pif helmet, loading my rifle and heading downstairs to bag me an elephant. I will take Nerri for cover. Or a human shield. Whatever works best.