Tenants in Ho Chi Minh City can register for electricity supply independent of their landlords under a new regulation passed by the city to safeguard lessees from being gouged by house owners.
Though the rule took effect on March 1, not many have registered, with some owners – who should register on behalf of their tenants – pleading ignorance.
Dinh Van Kien, who owns a row of houses in District 12, said even electricity company staff who come to collect money charges have not informed him about the new regulation.
Some landlords have registered their tenants but not informed them in order to continue collecting higher tariffs, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported. Many collect up to six times the actual electricity prices.
Le Van Phuoc, director of HCM City Electricity Co, said punishing landlord who gouge their tenants is the responsibility to State agencies, not his company.
Last year inspector had discovered many tenants being forced to pay many times higher electricity prices than levied by the supply company. They then recommended to the Department of Industry and Trade to deal more sternly with violators, he said.
But Tran Van Hoa, deputy head of the department’s Energy Management Office, admitted that violators have merely been reprimanded so far. He promised they would be penalised from this year.
The maximum penalty is 20 million VND (1,086 USD), the department said.
Meanwhile, following a hike in water and power tariffs on March 1, many owners of boarding houses have hiked rates, especially affecting students and workers.
Nguyen Thi Thu, who rents a house in Khanh Hoi Street, district 4, said her landlord collects 12,000 VND for a cubic metre of water and 3,000 VND for a kWh of electricity.
Even following the price hikes, the highest rate, for consumption of 401 kWh and more, is 1,890 VND.
Water costs 4,000 VND/cu.m for the first 4 cu.m, with the highest rate being 10,000 VND.
Duy, a worker who rents a house in Thu Duc district, said there are rules stipulating that house owners should only collect the actual electricity charges payable to power supply companies. Though violations are punishable, authorities have yet to do so, he said./.
Though the rule took effect on March 1, not many have registered, with some owners – who should register on behalf of their tenants – pleading ignorance.
Dinh Van Kien, who owns a row of houses in District 12, said even electricity company staff who come to collect money charges have not informed him about the new regulation.
Some landlords have registered their tenants but not informed them in order to continue collecting higher tariffs, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported. Many collect up to six times the actual electricity prices.
Le Van Phuoc, director of HCM City Electricity Co, said punishing landlord who gouge their tenants is the responsibility to State agencies, not his company.
Last year inspector had discovered many tenants being forced to pay many times higher electricity prices than levied by the supply company. They then recommended to the Department of Industry and Trade to deal more sternly with violators, he said.
But Tran Van Hoa, deputy head of the department’s Energy Management Office, admitted that violators have merely been reprimanded so far. He promised they would be penalised from this year.
The maximum penalty is 20 million VND (1,086 USD), the department said.
Meanwhile, following a hike in water and power tariffs on March 1, many owners of boarding houses have hiked rates, especially affecting students and workers.
Nguyen Thi Thu, who rents a house in Khanh Hoi Street, district 4, said her landlord collects 12,000 VND for a cubic metre of water and 3,000 VND for a kWh of electricity.
Even following the price hikes, the highest rate, for consumption of 401 kWh and more, is 1,890 VND.
Water costs 4,000 VND/cu.m for the first 4 cu.m, with the highest rate being 10,000 VND.
Duy, a worker who rents a house in Thu Duc district, said there are rules stipulating that house owners should only collect the actual electricity charges payable to power supply companies. Though violations are punishable, authorities have yet to do so, he said./.
