Electricity bill doubled with new tenants. Can we investigate?

[Michelle Lyn]

Hello BP folks! We have a 3-family rental in New York. 2 units have the same tenants for years. Other unit moved in in Sept 2020. Utilities are shared so we include them in the rent. 

We're seeing this winter that the electric bill has doubled over what it typically is (it's now about $1000/month)–pretty much since the new unit moved in. This is especially strange because we installed solar last spring and anticipated at least some savings through the winter. We're wondering what's going on in there. We live out of state so can't just swing by. My elderly mother lives in the upstairs unit so she is onsite but can't just barge into the downstairs unit and doesn't have much of a relationship with them.

What are our rights to check in on this? I'd like to let them know our situation and ask them what's going on but I don't know what's allowed. Any insights from the forum would be appreciated.

Thank you!

michelle

[Tracy Streich]

Sure you can check on it.   Take an electrician with you when you go.   Give the proper notice and check it out.   You don't have to tell them you are checking the electric.   You want to see what is going on without them self correcting anything.