Or, here’s a thought: If there’s one (or several) cluster(s) of electric meters somewhere that you can see them, just look to see if they have the apartment numbers marked on them. Meters in apartments I’ve lived in always did – usually hand-scrawled somehow on the meter (and commonly rather faded). But hey, Mr. Meter Reader has to know which meter goes with which apartment. (Are these Smart Meters, or do they still have a Meter Reader making the rounds to read them?)
There won’t be proof of what was used on the past but he’ll at least be able to tell if the guy’s powering his whole apartment because his power has been cut off or just using it for a few items. I think a small claims judge could make some sort of decision based on one day of usage more than he could with nothing.
I don’t see the stupidity of waiting a few more days. I think people are overreacting a little to him not acting immediately.
These things not likely a problem. But pulling out his plug and then plugging it back in (with the meter in place) could come back t bite you, I’m going to guess.
Waiting a few days? Fine. Unplugging the cord? Fine. Plugging it back in? Stupid.
Seriously, talk to the cops. Whether or not they do anything about it, there’s now documentation. If things escalate, that documentation can be very helpful.
(Learned from calling the cops on my neighbors four times for their past-2-AM loud parties. Third time, neighbor tried to get the cop to come in drinking. Landlord, with police documentation, clamped down -hard-.)
My vote is for cutting the end of the cord and replacing it with a female end.
They sell these at Home Depot and Lowes. Just leave it dangling there by the outlet. He’ll climb down, or pull the cord back up, and be very confused…
It’s not like he can complain about you “damaging” his cord. It’s not visibly damaged, and he couldn’t prove that it was altered without admitting that he had it plugged into your outlet.
It’ll take an amateur around 20 minutes (or longer depending on your level of clumsiness) with a pair of wire strippers and a screwdriver to swap the end from male to female though - so wait until he’s not home. If you know what you’re doing you could bang it out in like 3 minutes, but if that were the case I’m sure you would have already thought of it.
I’m not saying it’s the dumbest thing ever, I’m just saying your rationale is a little irrational.
You’re concerned he may be stealing a significant amount of electricity… So you’re going to let him steal three days’ worth more? When you plug that thing in, you’ll get a number. What if he isn’t home? What if he only uses it at night? The number on your gizmo isn’t going to tell the whole story. Your electric bill will. If it’s significantly higher than normal, you can use your bill as evidence. You don’t need the gizmo except to satisfy your (and our) curiosity.
And as others have pointed out, the moment you plug him back in, you’re effectively approving all subsequent energy usage.
I’m not quite sure I’d want to hear if she was using the Kongster 4000…
warning! Dangerous sound file link ahead! Hide yon virgins!
If you just use your last month’s bill and this month’s you can sue him for the difference. You’re use of more air conditioning doesn’t even matter, let him pay for it. You don’t have to be fair to a thief. I bet he’s using it for either everything or something that draws a lot of power otherwise why would he even bother.
Can you call the electric company and see if he even still has power? Our utilities will give out information on power usage of properties to anyone who calls.
I agree. Hide in the bushes and stab him to death. A proven solution.*
Disclaimer- though nearly anyone can get a reality TV show for screwing on supposedly hidden camera only current celebrities get off for murder.
Well no duh. If the meter says apartment X on it he should use that information obviously.
One thing is for certain: the day the OP disconnects the juice, his neighbor is going to buy some tap shoes for lounging around the house.
Not if theft of services is a breach of contract, and he’s evicted.
It’s a pretty minor thing, all in all, I don’t see why all the angst over SenorBeef satisfying, at the least, his curiosity.
This isn’t frikkin’ Law & Order.
I guess I don’t see how the number is going to reveal anything useful. It’s not like it’s going to say, “hot plate, currently being used to warm up pathetic ramen dinner and expired Dinty Moore stew.”
It’s going to say 45 watts, or, more likely given the length of this thread, 0 watts. Okay, now what? Call landlord, get him evicted. Wow, totally worth it! 45 watts!
The variance of my power bills from month to month isn’t more than the cost of some electricity stolen to run something not very high-powered. The difference might get him some satisfaction in small claim’s court, but I’m having trouble seeing an open-and-shut case here.
Well, not yet. 
I wonder if Upstairs Neighbor is Shredder Guy, or SG’s little brother.
Plus, he already has a Porn Name. “Senor Beef and the Co-Ed Nympho”; I can see it now.
SenorBeef you are having to wait anyway - why not contact the police to see what they advise . I doubt they will berate you for wasting their precious time and I also doubt they will dash over to investigate. Most likely they will tell you the best procedure in these types of situations (which could be “don’t touch it” until the electricity company investigates or pull it out straight away, or something else). As for working out how much juice he is pulling - contact your electricity company as they will be a a hell of a lot more accurate than you can hope to be and happy to share the info.
Anyway YMMV
my gut says don’t touch anything that may be evidence. If your gut says otherwise do whatever you think best
The Senor Beef and Energy Seeking Co-ed Show just gets more live action ideas daily! 
I subscribed to this thread a while ago just to follow along, but I can’t stand it anymore.
I want to know what the neighbor is doing and what he has to say for himself!
