Assistance with Memphis Apartment Utilities
Oct 3rd, 2007 by Memphis Apartments
With the high costs of utilities, Memphis apartment living has never been more expensive. Renters continue to look for assistance with paying Memphis apartment utility bills. If you are one of those renters, you will soon learn that assistance is becoming more and more difficult to obtain. Even if you are able to get the assistance, it might be a one-time deal.
If you are elderly, disabled, or have a medical condition, you might be able to get assistance directly from your utility company. Electric and gas companies have programs that provide basic service to individuals who may suffer serious consequences without electricity or heat. A physician’s note is usually required in these situations.
These programs can be initially beneficial. The way they work is that a monthly payment amount is established based on your income. For example, if your only source of income is Social Security, your monthly electric bill might be $35. This is your bill, not your usage. You may have actually used $60 worth of electricity. The electric company keeps a running tab on this difference.
During a twelve month period, you used $720 worth of electricity but paid for $420. Seems like a deal not to pay the additional $300. It is as long as you do not miss a payment. If you miss a payment, you now owe the payment you missed plus the $300 in order to keep your electricity on. And you are no longer on the reduced payment plan. Over a several year period, your back payment can be thousands of dollars which you will owe in full before you can get utility service back.
Utility companies may have programs to assist you regardless of income or health status. If you have a history of paying your utility bills on time, your utility service might allow you to enter a budget plan with them. Even though your utility costs fluctuate, a budget plan allows you to pay the same amount over a specified time period. Your utility company will assess your budget payment plan annually and adjust your monthly amount based on past usage and current rates.
Local nonprofit organizations may be able to assist you if you have recently lost your job, have children, or are low-income. Contact your local United Way agency and ask them for a list of organizations that provide assistance with utility bills. Your church might have programs that assist members in need during peak months. Many organizations require you to have a disconnection notice before they will assist you.
Even if you are able to find assistance, it is temporary at best. You need to identify and implement as many utility cost saving measures as possible. Turn the lights off as you leave the room. Keep your air or heat turned down when you are not in your Memphis apartment.
You might believe that having your landlord pay for the utilities is the best route to take. This may or may not be true. Keep in mind that if your landlord pays the utilities, he also controls them. You will not be able to keep your heat turned up as high as you want. If you are seriously considering this option, talk to your landlord. Ask him when he turns on the heat in the winter and what he keeps the thermostat set at. Make sure you can live with this before selecting a Memphis apartment that includes utilities with rent payments.
If you are unable to use any of these options, your best bet is to set up your own budget so you always have money to pay your Memphis apartment utility bills. Look at last year’s Memphis apartment bills and calculate a monthly average. Use this amount as your monthly base for this year. Set aside an extra twenty to fifty dollars per month. This way you will be able to pay the extra amount due during the peak months when you use more electricity to cool and gas to heat your Memphis apartment. You will not have to dip into your other bill money to keep your utilities on.