# My neighbor is... stealing my electricity. In a really dumb way. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 7, 2012, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690 "2012-08-07T03:05:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/121 "2012-08-07T22:01:13Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > A few years ago at my business, a neighbor saw someone put stuff into my dumpster when i was closed. He got the license plate number. A call to the local police led to the guy being charged with theft of services. > > The cop brought him to the dumpster and showed him things with his address on it (at first he denied the crime). He said, “Kid, we found your name on an envelope at the bottom of a half a ton of garbage, and just wanted to know if you had any information about it.” And I said, “Yes, sir, Officer Obie, I cannot tell a lie, I put that envelope under that garbage.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/122 "2012-08-07T22:03:28Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > So, IMO it really isn’t about theft or revenge or justice being done. Its a sign that things in the local neighborhood ain’t so hot. The real question here is which response results in maximizing the likelyhood of a good outcome for the OP. This is pretty much right. I was originally just going to go up and be like “dude, wtf, really?” and that’s that. But then I realized if he’s willing to hop onto my patio to steal from me, he may be a shitty neighbor in other ways. So now I want to involve the management and document so that whatever his next shenanigans are, whatever they may be, he’s halfway to being evicted. … But it would be funny if I could somehow cause a nuclear explosion at his house through the cord. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/123 "2012-08-07T22:07:42Z")
Did you talk to the building manager yet? ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/124 "2012-08-07T22:09:34Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > … But it would be funny if I could somehow cause a nuclear explosion at his house through the cord. Oh now, explosions I can help with\*. It will of course require you to break into his apartment and rewire a few things, but hey, he’s already let that horse out of the barn! 😃 \*Summer job wiring up electric signs… I was so sure I’d put those 24 neon tubes correctly into sequence. Apparently it was spectacular. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/125 "2012-08-07T22:23:33Z")
t > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Why should a tenant install a locking electrical outlet cover? That sort of thing is best left to the landlord/building management. Drama over. Because when you are a grown up, there are things that you can handle yourself without involving your mom, the police, the electric company, the building manager, human resources, all your friends, the NSA, Homeland Security, and so forth. Sometimes it’s best to suck it up and slap down ten bucks and handle it yourself. There is no technical or electrical skill needed to complete this task. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/126 "2012-08-07T22:29:19Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > t > > Because when you are a grown up, there are things that you can handle yourself without involving your mom, the police, the electric company, the building manager, human resources, all your friends, the NSA, Homeland Security, and so forth. Sometimes it’s best to suck it up and slap down ten bucks and handle it yourself. There is no technical or electrical skill needed to complete this task. And when you are a grown-up, you should really abide by your tenancy agreement, which may disallow making the power outlet unavailable to contractors legally employed on the management’s behalf. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/127 "2012-08-07T22:29:20Z")
But he doesn’t own the outlet. It’s generally a bad idea to make modifications, even simple non-technical ones, to other peoples’ property their permission. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/128 "2012-08-07T22:31:55Z")
I’m curious as to why people think that the power company is going to help here. The case above where someone had wired a light in front of the meter - theft from the utility, they care. Someone plugging into an outlet - utility is getting their money. I imagine they’ll recommend unplugging the offending cord and taking him to small-claims court to recoup your losses. Short of a massive grow farm (which would probably trip the breaker), I can’t imagine OP is losing much money here - so I’m all for figuring out ways to screw with the thief. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/129 "2012-08-07T22:37:57Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > I’m curious as to why people think that the power company is going to help here. I’m curious as to why people are jumping to the conclusion they DON’T care before someone even bothers with the very minor task of actually calling them first. What’s the major downside of doing that? I see lots of possible upside and very little downside. And your “screwing with” sounds fun in theory but in practice is dumber than dirt. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/130 "2012-08-07T22:39:37Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > … But it would be funny if I could somehow cause a nuclear explosion at his house through the cord. Kinda counterproductive - he’s your neighbor. You nuke him, you’d be nuking your own house too. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/131 "2012-08-07T22:41:28Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > I’m curious as to why people think that the power company is going to help here… > > Someone plugging into an outlet - utility is getting their money… > > I can’t imagine OP is losing much money here The reason to get the power company involved is so that he doesn’t have to pay for power he didn’t use. It may be a small amount, or it may be a large amount. Either way, it’s the principle. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/132 "2012-08-07T22:41:35Z")
> [@maggenpye](#): > > And when you are a grown-up, you should really abide by your tenancy agreement, which may disallow making the power outlet unavailable to contractors legally employed on the management’s behalf. And you are thinking that a real live contractor would not be able to get a little padlock off a $10 locking outlet cover in 3 or 4 seconds with nippers? That a contractor would stand there, not knowing what to do, because the outlet was “unavailable”, with no idea as to how to make it available? That this would be viewed as an actual problem or issue by a contractor instead of being dealt with as natural as breathing? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/133 "2012-08-07T22:46:26Z")
I’m almost sure the wall outlet is private, by the way. I mean, it’s not in an easily accessible area for use by outdoor lighting on the building or something - it’s low on the wall right near my patio door. It’s about as close to being in my apartment that it can be while still being outside. I assume its there to power any sort of lamp or devices I want on my patio, not as something for the common areas to use. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/134 "2012-08-07T22:51:43Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > But he doesn’t own the outlet. It’s generally a bad idea to make modifications, even simple non-technical ones, to other peoples’ property their permission. He doesn’t own the windows but he probably hung curtains. He doesn’t own the shower but he probably hung up a shower curtain. This is a modification, not a renovation . If something can be put back exactly the way it was with no sign it was ever any different, what exactly is the problem? The $10 locking outlet covers require that you remove the single middle screw on your existing faceplate and replace the faceplate with the locking one with the same screw in the same hole. That’s it. No different that buying a decorative outlet cover with your favorite team or unicorns or whatever you are into on it. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/135 "2012-08-07T22:52:37Z")
> [@Mewl\_Dear](#): > > Unless electricity is covered by rent, my thoughts are that his electricity got shut off and he is living on your tit. That or a grow operation. If it isn’t his power being turned off, it has to be something that takes a fair amount of power, which to me screams grow operation. Or maybe perhaps some sort of mass CD/DVD burning for black market CD/DVDs? Illegal huge file server? What else takes lots of electricity? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/136 "2012-08-07T22:53:44Z")
Perhaps a hot tub time machine? ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/137 "2012-08-07T22:58:49Z")
Some years ago we ran a branch over to the neighbours - they’d been cut off and the husband asked if we could sub him until payday. A few days later the wife got into an argument with us and in retaliation unplugged the cord. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/138 "2012-08-07T23:01:08Z")
I’d call the police. Here’s an example of Theft of Services in PA. I’m pretty sure that what your neighbor has done would be illegal in every state. > [@](#): > > MANHEIM TWP.: Lakiesha N. Stirling, 28, of Eden Road, was charged Tuesday with theft of services after allegedly running an extension cord from an outside outlet of an unoccupied neighboring home into her residence to use the electricity for herself. > > Read more: [http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/686935\_POLICE-LOG--Thursday--July-12.html#ixzz22u7YUL6t](http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/686935_POLICE-LOG--Thursday--July-12.html#ixzz22u7YUL6t) ---
**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/139 "2012-08-07T23:03:13Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Short of a massive grow farm (which would probably trip the breaker), I can’t imagine OP is losing much money here - so I’m all for figuring out ways to screw with the thief. Well, if he is drawing near the rated capacity of the outlet (standard 15 amp 120 V outlet, 1,800 watts max), say 1,500 watts, that would be $3.60 per day/$108 a month/$1,314 a year at a rate of 10 cents per kWh (which is a lot when you consider that in 2010 the average household [spent $1,419 on electricity](http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/story/2011-12-13/electric-bills/51840042/1); which is to say, a near doubling of costs for the OP if they are drawing that much power, depending on how they both actually use). Also, a grow farm doesn’t necessarily have to draw more power than a single outlet can handle, especially if it is in an apartment and they use [energy-efficient lights](http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/guide3.shtml/); a single 1 kW metal halide/high pressure sodium bulb can light up to a 12x12 foot room according to this link, compared to 7 square feet for seven 150 W incandescents. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690/140 "2012-08-07T23:07:10Z")
Wonder why so many posters think the neighbor is running a pot-growing operation off the OP’s power. To do that you need a power-hungry setup with high-intensity lamps. The first time **SenorBeef** (or the landlord, if that’s what dopey neighbor is counting on) got an electric bill juiced up to that extent, there’d be an investigation pronto and goodbye growing setup, long before he’d have a chance to harvest the crop. Just so I can put my two cents in, photo documentation by **SenorBeef** followed by immediately contacting the landlord is the best way to go, followed by the locking outlet cover if the landlord is sluggish or doesn’t care. Now I’m getting paranoid about my own outdoor outlets. What if while I’m at work, nefarious people are sneaking onto the property to recharge their cellphones? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-neighbor-is-stealing-my-electricity-in-a-really-dumb-way/630690.md?page=8)