I Suspect Neighbour Is Stealing My Electricity

I think either the builder ( or related site supplier) of my APT building or somebody who has intimate knowledge of my building electrical connections had been stealing my electricity.

Been living here for four years.. last year or two, I kept hearing most electrical switch boards clicking.. For one month in December, I used to periodically turn my main power switch off & noticed one neighbor coming out of their apt, head outside of the building then comes back in.. every single time! Believe it or not, my electricity bill, I saved $75 or so that particular month.

I am a female living alone with my daughter staying part time with me. I used to switch elec companies due to high usage when I am hardly home & only use energy saver globes & only fridge running constantly. Police cannot do anything without proof. The thief suspect lives opposite my apt, sharing ceiling space. Their address does not seem to appear registered as if it is vacant .. but families moved in & out may be privately rented out. Last year or so, the owner wanted to move back in & alerted the body corporate they are putting in new flooring in but after strange drilling in the ceiling, my ceiling now have draft wind & occasion movements.. I believe they made a man hole in their ceiling- they can easily roam or access my ceiling- all full of our electrical network lines.

How can stop them from stay connected to my electrical lines if they were confirmed thieves.. strata nor body corporate nor other neighbour are not cooperative nor caring to assist.. Would any electrician know how to detect when they look at my ceiling cavity?

Thanks

Mod: Comments closed. OP will call electrician.

closed Comments

  • +44

    Member Since
    4 hours 26 min ago

    Don't feed the trolls.

    • +8

      Normally agrre
      But this thread

      Damn its worth a trip to woolies

    • +1

      Thats fine. the response from ozb community can be used as a reference in case one of us encounter a similar situation in the future :).

    • for a moment I got scared

    • During times of crisis gain the courage to do things differently, we need to feed the trolls.

    • In hindsight - Empathy/EQ = Very low.

    • +7

      Is there a rule about not posting questions if new?
      Or is just a 'bully the new kid' thing which most people grow out of in their teens

      • Like i said low EQ. And probably low IQ. Welcome to Ozbargain

    • +5

      Is there a need to always point out whenever a newbie just joins and asks a question? If you don't have anything helpful to offer maybe just don't make a pointless comment ?

      • +3

        Hoping for the inevitable dumb upvotes and external validation

        • -1

          Yup probably feeling really good about how he got 46 upvotes. Come to Melbourne mate and I'll give you a medal for that.

        • +1

          .. may you continue to live in hope..

  • +21

    Why don’t you build a hydroponic setup, grow some vegetable matter and offset your electricity costs by selling some plants? When the cops bust down your door they’ll discover all the dodgy wiring without you having to do a thing.

    • +2

      Findo,
      Not sure how serious you were with your comment.. I am suspecting those who are growing those veggie are operating in my building.. most likely stealing my electricity, actually.. Interesting suggestion for the cops to help me find the wiring.. doubt they will bother.. I don’t trust some of them either..
      I wish I could just sell up & get out (which is what I think these veggie growers are wanting some think so they can occupy & operate) but not the right time to sell.. but want some peace of mind & justice while I am living there.. Thanks

  • +20

    Get the fire brigade to inspect as there should be a proper barrier in place to stop spreading in case one apartment goes up in flames.

    Also turn the mains off every time you leave the apartment, that should piss them off pretty quickly.

    • +1

      Mechz,
      Thanks.. They have been pissed off already every time I turned my power off for minutes & sometimes hours.. I was able to hear one of the men growling few times.. obviously having to go out & do ( switching to another neighbors..?!?) what ever it is they do). I thought about doing that for a whole day except stuff in my fridge will go off.. when I was away for work then come home, few times some of my switch used to be turned on even though I deliberately turned all switches off except my fridge… which means somehow they come in to my apt despite myself change locks & put in a new deadlock!! But, because they haven’t stolen anything visible, there was no used calling police for it.
      Re: I did consider calling fire brigade but doubt they will let them in. We regularly have fire testing done, mind you, their front door have a huge gap underneath- which we noticed ever since they moved in, & which is illegal…. they somehow got away with that- I think they put back in metal frame edging for the inspection then removed when the inspectors left…?!? Complaining about that to the strata & estate management no use for they all seem to know each other really well.. I believe they are all linked one way or another… soooo frustrating… so unless there is an actual fire happens, no one can go in there since it is a private residence.

      • @ Danger321

        How much are your power bills?

        • Always used to be around $220 every three months weather I am around home or not but because I got $140 last bill where last December -January when I didn’t go away but was home virtually whole month ( I am a teacher on school holiday) where I periodically turned my main power off, dramatically dropped.. since then I have been observing … obviously the suspect wasn’t able to hook up nor use my power..

          • +11

            @Danger321: Lmao. How's that being robbed?
            I'm single, living by myself in a standalone house. My electric bill is normally $80-90 monthly.
            Someone calculated your Dec-Jan bill wrong. The end.

          • @Danger321: I live by myself. My power bill is $180-$200/qtr so your bill isn't crazy.

            The only way you will ever know is to pay an electrician to inspect the meter and the ceiling void. It will take them about an hour - longer if you talk too much.

            I really doubt your ceiling void is shared unless the block is very old (pre-1970s).

            I'm thinking your fridge might be power hungry

      • +17

        ever considered use a battery powered video camera to record?

  • +14

    Get a friend to inspect the roof space if you cannot do it yourself.

    • Pierrefranklin,
      Thanks.. would have to make a man hole on my ceiling to do that which I considered many times.. I can only take photos & videos through my down lighting holes at this stage… I have pulled some wires that looked like linking across to theirs but because not 100% sure, I couldn’t pull too much..
      Putting/changing locks already costed me & I even had to call & pay close to $1000 on a useless guy to detect for any hidden cameras ( as soon as I mentioned there might be an organized criminal operating here, he didn’t disclose too much what is lurking in fear of himself getting involved..?!? He suddenly said nothing much after that then took some photos of two particular downlights then took off…).. knowing strata/estate management’s..& some more neighbour’s involvement, they will make further excuse to stop me from finding out any further to tell me off saying all the wiring in the ceiling is not my property but belong to the strata body corporate.. I know what they will say.. that I am illegally accessing strata property space etc without a doubt!!! even though I am one of the owners..

      • +44

        You sound paranoid. To add fuel to the fire, maybe this OP is your neighbour XD

        …but in all seriousness you have a couple options (or all) recommended by dear readers:
        1) Slowly empty the contents of your freezer and fridge over the week.
        2) Have a friend come to your place at night, and flick the switch slowly off/on. You stand outside and record video of which units lights turn on and off. Have the phone on, so that your voices are recorded in the video, making absolutely positive of the causation and not mere correlation. You're gathering evidence.
        3) Have your phone charged 100%, leave it at home but HIDDEN and RECORDING. Leave with your friend for half-day (8 hours?). See if the power switch gets magically turned on, and revise the footage. Make sure it is getting recorded directly to the Internet/Cloud so that you may be able to watch it LIVE and that they absolutely CANNOT find the phone and delete the footage. If you catch them on video, you can now have police involved for arrest and investigation. But you might discover that they have a way of flipping your switch on without entering your premises, which makes things a little more complicated. Again gathering evidence.
        4) Okay, now you get serious. Change all your locks. Get new emails, and change your Wifi and device passwords. Contact your electricity provider for a free investigation. And contact AFP to make an anonymous tip about someone growing Mary-Jane by using electricity supplied by neighbours.
        5) Lastly if you want to mess back with them. Unplug everything in your home. Wear rubber gloves and shoes. Flick the switch on/off rapidly and you could possibly pop some of their lights, speakers, and maybe even larger items like PC or TV. Then leave your power disconnected for 1 week. Their food will start to rot. They will have to start stealing power from another neighbour, or flick their switch to only use their own power. And every day, you want to flick-off power every time you goto work… just be mindful about your fridge's contents. That would be enough to drive me crazy, so maybe your neighbour will quit completely.

        …just know there is very little chance for you to recoup any "lost monies" so far. Several have gone through this channel, and it requires legal action that costs more than your incurred expenses. So have the mindset about the future, and not the past. You could have the person arrested, or put on a blacklist by several power companies, etc etc. But don't put your hopes up. Focus on protecting your future-bills and peace of mind. And if things turn ugly, you might have to move and/or get a restraining order.

        • +1

          Kangal: I am paranoid, absolutely ! It’s not just about somebody stealing electricity but I have no privacy knowing some scums are watching every move & entering my private property, accessing my electricity etc.. different to online hackers following me etc.
          You are absolutely correct & spot on.. some things I can do, some I can’t because I don’t want my phone stolen during recording .. etc..
          Locksmith told me, no matter what I replace or put in, they all can be manipulated open so no guarantee…
          I have already spent so much money, I am running out of funds.. I am so angry thinking about all the unnecessary spendings & paying for those scums..
          Moving forward, I will do some of steps possible then swiftly sell & get out when the time is right.. there is no other way, it seems..
          Thanks so much for your time… seriously.. gives me strength knowing some of you in the community care enough to give advise here.. I don’t feel alone.. 😢😔😊

          • +7

            @Danger321: Perhaps you should consider moving out, maybe to a detached dwelling with some distance between neighbours. Also why did you pay $1000 to detect hidden cameras? wow!

      • If you don't have a manhole in your ceiling, then there must be another way to access it. Usually that would mean that the roof space is a common space in the building without any firewall partitions.

        • Tonyh87, yes correct.. there must be an access elsewhere .. which I can’t work out.. building management won’t tell me.. we have numerous doors - for maintence..

  • +46

    Just get an electrician to check wiring. Are you bills going up?

    • +1

      I second that. She might spend more time and money doing her own investigation.

  • +53

    When you unplug all your power points turn off your lights and isolate your hot water system and oven, does your meter continue to measure power draw?

    • +24

      This.
      Unplug everything , absolutely everything, and if your meter keeps moving, your electricity is going to somewhere else.

      • +12

        Except a lot of apartments have the power meters in an area that can’t easily be accessed by the residents.

        • +10

          Well in that case, organise a time with the 'person in charge off the meter box' to have access to the meter box.

          Really not a terribly difficult obstacle to overcome is it?

          What if the op is a midget and can't see the meter reading as it's too high up? Or they are dyslexic? Or illiterate? Or blind?

          Glass half empty much?

          • +2

            @oscargamer: OP is going to need to answer that question. But if her comment about the strata management is correct access to the meter room might be more difficult than just submitting a request, that’s if it is a building with a meter room.

            they all seem to know each other really well.. I believe they are all linked one way or another

          • @oscargamer: Generally strata or OC won't have access. Generally only the distributor and their contractors.

            • @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: In some buildings they just have a key safe and management can be contacted to get the code, but they usually won’t give the code out unless you can convince them you’re a contractor ;)

        • +2

          Not in this case

          one month in December, I used to periodically turn my main power switch off

          • @John Kimble: There will be a main switch in the apartment. Usually there is a board in the apartment and the meter is located elsewhere, that way the resident can turn off their power if they go away without having to contact anyone.

            • +1

              @mapax: Oh, I don't have a switch in my apartment, only the RCDs on the main switchboard in the apartment block hallway.

              But I live in a small early 1900s art Deco block.

              • +1

                @John Kimble: That’s really interesting, do you know if that’s common?
                I’ve never seen an apartment without a board inside, then again I’ve only checked maybe a dozen different blocks, all of them new buildings less than 10 years old.

                • @mapax: I only have seen a small number of buildings (when we were looking to buy a few years ago so my sample size is not big), but I assume with older buildings it would be if they haven't upgraded yet.

                  We only recently rewired our unit…we still had old cotton bound wiring!

                  Our main board isn't even locked in a cupboard/room, it's just fixed to the wall under the stairs. It's the same in our neighbouring blocks of the same age.

                  • +2

                    @John Kimble: I can just imagine the havoc a trickster could play if they got into one of those buildings or if a neighbour dispute occurred over excessive noise.

          • +2

            @John Kimble: There is a set of switch including one main red power switch inside my apt inside my kitchen cupboard which is how I turn it on & off.. but I can’t visually see the meter moving.. I believe they are situated elsewhere..

        • Thanks mapax,
          I have a meter box in my kitchen cupboard but only switches - nothing shows meter movements.. I believe it is elsewhere.. The building is 4 years young.. 6 floors with numerous switch rooms… two basements security car parks.. as mentioned strata/estate management very uncooperative. I have contacted my energy supplier but they do not specifically check.. yes, probably charge me a fortune.. that’s why if I know any electrician can detect cord links, I would rather get them & hopefully fix the problem by detaching cords ?!? If I involve police even if I find that they are stealing, I assume they will terrorize for revenge..? As said, some of them all linked & occupy the building … etc..

          • +2

            @Danger321: It is possible that your neighbor got a power point installed, and the electrician accidentally wired it into your circuit instead of your neighbors, and it is a legitimate mistake. That doesn't explain people turning on circuits from your switchboard though.

        • Mapax, absolutely correct.. they won’t let me or my contractor access.. they are trying to shut me up from exposing all the crim activities.. yes, they are all linked one way or another…

          • +10

            @Danger321: I dunno, this all sounds a bit tin foil hat to me. If you really want to check your meter, ask strata to provide access, if they try to push back, tell them they are legally obligated to do so.

        • Oscargamer, mapax is correct..

          • +1

            @Danger321: I think you suffer from paranoid delusions. This sounds eerily similar to a family member who had paranoid schizophrenia. Please go to a psychologist and get evaluated.

  • +11

    Empty the fridge and turn mains off for a week
    They’ll organise their own power

    • +1

      Last resort but yes, slowly emptying my fridge..

      • +68

        Plan B, turn off everything in your flat then flick the mains switch like a strobe light until you hear something upstairs go pop

        • +1

          I love this plan ♥️.

          • +1

            @No ONE: No one, I love it too 🍕🍟🍰🍲🥗

        • +1

          Bloody genius! Thats one life hack I will be keeping for the future.

        • +4

          Plan B, turn off everything in your flat then flick the mains switch like a strobe light until you hear something upstairs go pop

          Is this a real thing you've actually done? I fear the switch itself might be the first thing to fail if an inductive load is connected.

  • +20

    Can you tell from some vantage point that the neighbours lights are on? Have someone flick your mains on and off and have someone stand to see if the neighbours' lights go off. Then you can at least be certain.

    I would be turning my power off every day, even if just for 30 mins at an inconvenient time like dinner time. Do it enough and they will get the picture.

    • +4

      Yep. Turn off the power for a couple of hours when the sun is gone & see if they have any lights on

    • +5

      Yes, as long as I am stuck at home due to COVID, I have the power to annoy them back by turning off at the most inconvenient time… hopefully, they will switch to elsewhere .. I don’t think they have an energy co. their address doesn’t float up in general. They are living there while helping themselves with their neighbors electricity.. 99% sure.. just not 100%..

      • +4

        I don't follow how their address could not be valid in a 4 year old apartment. Unless you live at Hogwarts?

        • BartholemewH,
          Hogwarts… I would rather live there than here.. haha..
          I meant some address you put in auto fills rest.. I put their apt no. & my street name & suburb.. it didn’t .. I put mine straight after, it shows all the addresses same no. & street.. even in U.S. suburb, it appears.. you then click & auto fill the blanks.. etc..

          • +3

            @Danger321: The auto fills built into most websites aren't meant to be exhaustive. The plans for the building would have been submitted to council for approval prior to construction. I am not sure if most body corps have plans on file you may request access to.

            • @BartholemewH: BartholemewH,
              Somebody told me this building was built by corrupt #%^^** I won’t mention too much.. even when I bought & was one of the firsts to move in, I had to follow up trying to pay for my gas… took a while for it to be registered. My address didn’t appear in any gas companies etc.. some strange things like that …

              • +1

                @Danger321: This is fairly normal. I live in a new area and sometimes my address will Auto fill, other times it won't appear while my neighbours house built at the same time will appear.

                • @downhillar: downhillar, I see.. I just thought at the time only -when I couldn’t get to register my gas while I could with electricity.. Thanks..

    • Hardly working & chumlee, I will try those thanks..

      • +2

        How did you go?

        • Wreck triangle: I couldn’t find anyone to help during this time… their apt is same floor but their front door is opposite my door.. their living room is out at the front of the building & mine is facing back of the building… I couldn’t ask my friendly couple neighbour up stairs to do that in the evening..

          • +6

            @Danger321: Turn off in the evening, go for a walk.

            It's becoming cleat that you're either a troll or mentally ill, I hope you get the help you need.

  • Do you have a body corporate?

    • Of course… but they are linked & not helpful at all. Even other owners, because theirs not stolen, they don’t care.. sadly..

      • So no one cares but you?

  • Danger 3…2…1

  • +1

    How old is your apartment block?

    • 4 years old.. & as far as I know, those builders who were involved in building reside here either own or rent here… many of them.. so they know in & out of the structure & whose place they can exploit..

  • -8

    You could hire a power generator for 24 hours for your fridge and other necessary power then turn off your mains and see what happens. Preferably do this in winter when it gets dark earlier.

    • +18

      Generator in an apartment, what could possibly go wrong?

      • Interesting you mentioned generator… once I did hear them trolley something heavy into their apt- from what I can hear from behind my door… I have noticed some amplified noise some nights - esp. after I turned my power off..

        • +15

          A generator is loud, and they would be dead from carbon monoxide poisoning.

          • -1

            @brendanm: Omg.. I smell that through gaps between my ceiling & air conditioning unit .. my bedroom would be filled with smoke- I used to think somebody above my courtyard was smoking although it was different to cigarette smoke…I used to wake up with a head ache… ?!?!?

            • +23

              @Danger321: You can't smell carbon monoxide.

              • -2

                @brendanm: May be they are cooking something..?!? not that I can detect what it smells like..?!? I did read the smoke coming out of that cooking is very toxic!!!
                Strangely, once I noticed half burnt tree in a red bin in our garbage room.. I wondered why they didn’t put tree branches in the green bin…?!? Also, once I noticed a big drum- like a pool chlorine container?!? Also, red bin full of burnt ash… ?!? I googled to find these are the signs neighbor is cooking bad stuff…

            • +3

              @Danger321: This is dry ice. You have neighbours holding silent raves. This is why their power goes on and off and they look grumpy during the day.

              • @TheRealCher: I don’t know who cooks them… if one across or other apts above ..?. I also hear gallons of water going down the drain from above..?!? No bathtub in their apt as far as I know…

      • It's okay, carbon monoxide doesn't smell badly at all, the apartment will keep nice and fresh smell!

        • +1

          until the bodies rot

  • +4

    Turn off your power and notice if their stuff turns off - i.e tv

  • +25

    Just report the suspected 'theft' to your electricity supplier who will investigate.

    It's a free service if your suspicions are proven.

    Be aware that if they find that there is nothing wrong you may be liable for their costs.

  • +30

    Someone has spent way too much time in confinement.

  • +1

    I used to periodically turn my main power switch off & noticed one neighbor coming out of their apt, head outside of the building then comes back in.. every single time!

    What would they be doing? Going to the main switchboard? If their power was linked to yours, then I would think all they could do is flick yours back on (which you would notice)? I don't think it is possible to re-route their electricity back to their own or another neighbours without a bit of rewiring work/electrical expertise? I could be wrong though.

    Can you take a photo of the main swith board before you switch your power off and then again after your suspect goes out and makes alleged changes to see if it looks any different?

    Note, it does seem unlikely though…too much effort for too much risk and little reward (I would think your electricity bill would be significantly higher if it was being used for drug growing)…but never say never…

    • +2

      John K, they absolutely know all wiring here.. numerous times I was away, came home to find all sorts of stuff, items that look like plumbing or electrical with marks on my ceilings & walls that my place did not have.. because nothing of my belongings got stolen, I didn’t call police at the time.. little did I suspect this.. I have disconnected many of my down lights to the sockets now… they are probably wondering what went wrong.. more dragging of cords & switch board clicking noises… who knows they may have installed hidden cameras.. something disturbing like that was suspected at another lady who now left the building, who experienced similar clicking etc.. another single lady had two construction work men casually opened her apt door while she was home etc.. she freaked & now also left the building.. I am the only one stuck because I own mine & not that simple to sell at this time…

      • +5

        You need to start taking photos and keeping notes/records of this then (if you haven't already).

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