Is My Neighbor Stealing My Power?

Factual Questions
1

So, about a week ago my upstairs neighbor had her power cut off. Sucks to be her, as it was 100 degrees here yesterday and will be at least in the upper 90’s from now until October.

My question: There is, of course, a lock on her meter. Today, I noticed that she has run an extension cord from her bedroom window down to an outlet that sits next to the meters. This outlet (and the meters) is on the outside wall of my apartment.

Is this outlet connected to my power, or the apartment complex’s power?

2

Ask the Resident Manager. Failing a rapid and qualified investigation by the Complex’s representatives, ask the power company. Don’t just act on your own. It could be running her son’s iron lung, you know. A day or two to get an answer to who is paying for the electricity won’t break you.

Tris

3

I wasn’t going to act on my own. Just curious- I wouldn’t want to complain to the management if nothing nefarious is going on.

4

Well, considering you started this thread with, “So, about a week ago my upstairs neighbor had her power cut off.” Inferring this still to be true, it appears to me she is stealing electricity from another source. On top of that, the method may be a code violation.

Finally, there is a potential that the extension cord may be overloaded, risking a fire. If you don’t think your life is at risk, you ignore it at your peril.

5

Try shutting off everything in your apartment including unplugging your fridge for a few minutes and see if your meter is still running.

If you shut off all your breakers and hear swearing from upstairs…shes using your power. You should be able to easily isolate most of your circuits without disrupting that one, kitchen, AC, and such are usually clearly marked.

Also you may want to do it promptly because in addition to fire hazards and code violations, bet your butt that if confronted plan on her telling apt manager, fire inspector, etc that it was your idea, and shes just a poor starving little victim trying to get by. In fact the only reason she has power it because she had to have sex with you to get you to hook everying up…since she don’t know bout lectricity n such.

6

I will call the manager tomorrow. The only number I have for afterhours is for emergencies.

And I don’t think anyone would believe that I let her use my power willingly, or would have sex with her. She’s mentally unstable (also the reason why I won’t just go up there and ask her) and grossly obese. Really not my type. And wrong gender for me.

Thanks for your replies. I hadn’t thought about the fire hazard thing. Good thing I have smoke detectors in every room, or I might not be able to sleep well tonight.