what type of lawyer deals with utility bill estimated bill overrages

What are some examples of billing abuse in Utah?

If you have a legal issue involving a public utility, you should contact a government lawyer. An attorney near you who is experienced in government law can review your matter, and advise you how to proceed. The attorney can represent you at hearings and in court. Daniel Lebovic LegalMatch Legal Writer Original Author

Do I need a lawyer for a public utility lawsuit?

As one of the West's largest full-service law firms, Snell & Wilmer offers comprehensive legal services in virtually every aspect of business including Public Utilities law and litigation. In order to most effectively and efficiently meet your needs, our attorneys are organized into groups according to their primary areas of practice.

Why is my final utility bill estimated?

When it comes to paying utility bills, customers generally like to pay what they owe – no more and no less. That is why estimated bills are so aggravating. A high estimated bill usually results in overpayment, while a low estimate often requires a large "catch up" bill later. í. Mich Admin Code R 6. -6.6, î. Mich Admin Code R 6.

Who can represent a consumer in a billing dispute?

An estimate should be the contractor's best professional assessment, including the cost of hiring any subcontractors, the price of materials, and any other labor involved. Understand the Difference Between an Estimate and a Quote. Getting an estimate from a contractor is different from getting a quote. A quote is an offer to enter into a contract.

When can utilities not be shut off in Wisconsin?

During the moratorium, from November 1 to April 15, utilities are prohibited from disconnecting customers who are behind on their bills....Moratorium begins November 1.Alliant Energy1-800-255-4268Wisconsin Public Service Corporation1-800-450-7260Xcel Energy1-800-895-49993 more rows

When can utilities be shut off in PA?

Winter Termination Your utility service can be shut off during the winter months (December 1 through March 31) without the PUC's prior approval if you fail to be a responsible utility customer, and provided that your household's income exceeds 250 percent of the federal poverty level (for customers of the Philadelphia ...

What is a utility bill in SA?

A utility bill, such as municipal water bill, lights bill, or a statement from your property managing agent. Policy statement or medical aid statement (The policy number should be visible on the document) An affidavit that confirms address (this only applies for individuals)May 13, 2020

What is considered a utility bill in California?

Generally, utility expenses include electricity, gas, water/sewage and garbage disposal.Jun 26, 2020

Who is responsible for unpaid utility bills Pennsylvania?

One reason: Unlike other utilities, if the water bill doesn't get paid, the city can place a lien on the property, so landlords may prefer to keep the bill in their name in case the tenants don't pay. Sometimes the landlord keeps the water bill in their name, but the tenant is responsible for paying the cost.Oct 7, 2020

How can I get help with my electric bill in PA?

There are a number of programs available in Pennsylvania to help with your electric costs:Budget Billing. ... Customer Assistance Program (CAP) ... Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Program (CARES) ... Hardship Funds. ... Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ... Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)More items...

What is accepted as proof of residence in South Africa?

Any one of the following valid documents reflecting your name and physical residential address will be sufficient as proof of residence: Utility bill, e.g. municipal water and lights account or property managing agent statement. Bank statement. Municipal councillor's letter.Jan 20, 2019

Is a bank statement a utility bill?

Is a bank statement a utility bill? No, a bank statement is not a utility bill. A bank statement is just a clear and concise breakdown of the contents of your bank account and a good way for you to see what your bank are currently doing with regards to interest rates and so on, it isn't a utility bill.Feb 16, 2022

How long does proof of residence last?

How recent must proof of residence documents be. All documents must be less than three months old except for: Signed lease or rental agreement (less than one year old)

Is telephone bill a utility expense?

What is Utilities Expense? Utilities expense is the cost consumed in a reporting period related to electricity, heat, sewer, and water expenditures. The category is sometimes also associated with expenditures for ongoing telephone and internet service.May 11, 2017

How is average utility calculated?

Average utility refers to the utility that is obtained by the consumer per unit of commodity consumed. It is calculated by dividing the total utility by the number of units consumed.

What is the average cost of utilities per month?

US Average Cost of Utilities per Month In the US, people who rent apartments should plan to spend at least $240 per month for utilities,1 and we've found that homeowners should budget closer to $400 a month. Of course, climate and energy costs vary from one state to another, so utility bills do too.Feb 10, 2022

Our Practice

The lawyers at Snell & Wilmer have served public utility clients since the formation of the firm 75 years ago. We currently advise clients (both utilities and their customers) in connection with a wide variety of matters including:

Our Attorneys

Our Public Utilities lawyers are well-versed in issues affecting all our utilities clients, whether they provide electricity, gas, water and wastewater, or communications services, both wireline and wireless.

What is an estimate for a contractor?

An estimate should be the contractor's best professional assessment, including the cost of hiring any subcontractors, the price of materials, and any other labor involved.

What is a contractor quote?

Getting an estimate from a contractor is different from getting a quote. A quote is an offer to enter into a contract. It should be the exact amount that a particular task will cost, without much "wiggle room.".

What does "accepting his offer" mean?

You refer to "accepting his offer" as if you thought you were accepting a definite contract for a sum certain. Unfortunately, by your description, you did not receive a precise quote, only an estimate. Thus, you cannot really hold the contractor to the $5,000 initially suggested.

Can a contractor file a lien on a home?

Keep in mind, a home contractor might become frustrated and file a lien. A lien is essentially a cloud on title, filed with the county clerk, by a contractor who did work on a piece of property. This can be an impediment if you're looking to sell your home. Your contractor could also file a lawsuit.

Is a 10-20% overage reasonable?

Estimates, generally, must be professionally reasonable. A 10-20% overage might be considered reasonable, especially if the contractor discovered issues along the way that he couldn't have been aware of initially (for example, mold or flooding). Thus a price tag of $6,000, or even a little more, wouldn't be out of line.

Can a contractor sue you for nonpayment?

Should your contractor sue you for your nonpayment, you would certainly have defenses to the claims, given the lack of notice of the increased costs and intentional overspending. It is unlikely, however, that your contractor would sue you for this sum of money; the cost of the lawsuit alone would make it more advantageous for ...

What should be noted on a bill?

All calculations should be explained on the bill. A consumer's right to protest billing problems or errors under applicable laws should be noted on the bill, along with the name and telephone number of a person or office within the company to whom billing inquiries can be directed.

What to do if you don't understand a bill?

Once you've found a billing problem -- or even if you simply don't understand the bill -- you'll need to contact the company. Many bills include a statement explaining how to do this. Examine the bill to see whether it contains such a statement.

What are the different types of billing problems?

There are six major categories of billing problems; when you sit down to pay your bills, these are what to watch out for. 1. Unitemized Bills-- These are one-page bills which contain nothing more than a few totals -- they're essentially useless because they make it difficult to determine the accuracy of the charges.

How to make sure the charge on a bill is the price you agreed to?

Many consumers forget to look at the amount in question, particularly on bills containing many charges. When paying a bill, make a mental check to make sure the charge on the bill is the price you agreed to. And compare the charge to any receipts you received at the time of purchase. Examples:

What is processing charge?

Processing charges are nothing more than an effort to bill you for the cost of billing you -- a cost which used to be calculated into the price of a product or service. And many bill processing charges bear little or no relationship to the actual cost of preparing and mailing the bill.

Where is the Federal Reserve headquarters?

Or you can write to the headquarters in Washington: 6th & Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20580. Federal Reserve System -- For general problems concerning banking matters, contact the Division of Consumer & Community Affairs, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C. 20551.

Do you have to print a statement on a bill?

Some state and federal statutes provide consumers with specific rights when it comes to bil ling errors -- this is true particularly in the credit, banking and utility areas. Such laws usually require companies to print a statement on each bill telling you how to protect your rights.

How long does it take for a supplier to bill for unbilled energy?

The rules fall under what's known as "back-billing". If your supplier is at fault it should not demand payment for unbilled energy used more than 12 months before the error was detected.

How long can you be charged for back-billed energy?

This rule also applies to bills received after you've left a supplier. However, you cannot be charged for more than six years' worth of back-billed energy charges, even if the supplier is not at fault.

What is back billing?

The "back-billing rule" will apply when, for example, your supplier hasn't acted on a query or fault you've raised regarding your account and a large debt has built up as a result. Or it failed to bill you even though you have requested a bill. This rule also applies to bills received after you've left a supplier.

Why is it important to supply meter readings?

It is important that you regularly supply meter readings to avoid bill shocks. By doing this several times a year, you can improve the accuracy of your bills to avoid falling foul of estimated bills, which often lead to debt. Topics. Energy bills. Consumer affairs.