Forgot to cancel utilities at previous address... been paying the whole time. (Denver: apartment complex, rental)

[user_238]

I moved out of my previous apartment in June of 2019, while the lease ended in August of 2019. I planned to pay utilities until the lease ended, but I completely forgot to cancel the account in August. I had already started paying utilities at my new apartment in June, so I never noticed that Xcel had merged both utility accounts. I just paid the bills in autopay. I noticed they were higher than normal, but I thought it was just because I was in a new apartment. Is there any way that I can be reimbursed for the bills I was paying while my lease had ended? I am not hopeful to get very far with my previous rental company as they were pretty terrible (apartment was out of heat and hot water for 2 months without fixing in the middle of winter, black mold and holes in ceiling from leaks they wouldn't fix, would not put locks on the patio doors, car and bike were vandalized there, never fixed the community laundry, etc.). Any help would be much appreciated.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

You've been making payments to Xcel, so I suggest you start by calling them. What would the rental company have to do with your electric payments to Xcel?

It's a bit strange that they would merge two accounts from two different addresses. I would assume that there has to be a way for them to know how much to charge at your new location. Too bad you've just figured this out over a year later.

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by user_238

I moved out of my previous apartment in June of 2019, while the lease ended in August of 2019. I planned to pay utilities until the lease ended, but I completely forgot to cancel the account in August. I had already started paying utilities at my new apartment in June, so I never noticed that Xcel had merged both utility accounts. I just paid the bills in autopay. I noticed they were higher than normal, but I thought it was just because I was in a new apartment. Is there any way that I can be reimbursed for the bills I was paying while my lease had ended? I am not hopeful to get very far with my previous rental company as they were pretty terrible (apartment was out of heat and hot water for 2 months without fixing in the middle of winter, black mold and holes in ceiling from leaks they wouldn't fix, would not put locks on the patio doors, car and bike were vandalized there, never fixed the community laundry, etc.). Any help would be much appreciated.

What is the name of this terrible apartment complex? Then we can help you better. Thanks

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

You've been making payments to Xcel, so I suggest you start by calling them. What would the rental company have to do with your electric payments to Xcel?

It's a bit strange that they would merge two accounts from two different addresses. I would assume that there has to be a way for them to know how much to charge at your new location. Too bad you've just figured this out over a year later.

I owned a home on the west slope and had an apartment in Denver. Xcel merged the accounts, but they show both addresses and what is billed to each one. The OP probably didn’t look close enough at the bill. Xcel is pretty upfront on what they are billing.

[cowboyxjon]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

I owned a home on the west slope and had an apartment in Denver. Xcel merged the accounts, but they show both addresses and what is billed to each one. The OP probably didn’t look close enough at the bill. Xcel is pretty upfront on what they are billing.

Yup, this. When I moved out of Denver and to the ‘burbs, I owned two houses for a short time before the house in Denver sold. Xcel didn’t really “merge” anything, but billed me for both places where I had service - but I could log into my Xcel account and see info about both properties. Everything was broken down in a way where it was easy to see energy usage and which property it was associated with.

[brown_dog_us]

The OP was using autopay so there wasn't a moment where they look at the bill prior to paying.

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by brown_dog_us

The OP was using autopay so there wasn't a moment where they look at the bill prior to paying.

But a bill is still sent each month, paperless or hard copy.

[karen_in_nh_2012]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

But a bill is still sent each month, paperless or hard copy.

I think I said exactly that, but my message was deleted as being rude. Not sure what I said that was "rude."

I have ALL my regular utility bills (electric, Internet, etc.) on auto-pay. There ARE months when I don't login to my account because the bill seems "normal" to me ... but I certainly COULD login to check if anything seemed "off," and then I would call the company to find out what's up.

So I don't know why the OP didn't notice this for so long?

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I think we didn't give the OP the answer he/she wanted. Posted on 10/26 and never returned.

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

I think we didn't give the OP the answer he/she wanted. Posted on 10/26 and never returned.

LOL. They were asking how to get their money back. “Someone” benefited from those utilities. Whether it was the next tenant or the apartment owner. I would reach back to the benefactor for some relief. Somebody knew they were getting a deal and didn’t take any action to change it, but if I was getting free utilities, maybe I wouldn’t have said anything either.
The mistake though is on the OP. Read or at least monitor your auto pays.