Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)

I am being billed for someone other than my self's bill. For a whole year now, I tried to straighten it out, but there no one listening. The bill they're sending me is not me, and somehow, I am being charged for his bill. If I don't pay his bill, they're turning off my water and power. I am very angry. I've been living here a year, now leasing it out and trying to get it in my name.

I've filled out an application 2 times now and spoken to 5 reps. They said they would straighten it out. They haven't! I am very angry and stressed out about this. I would pay, but I don't know how much I owe because of this. They won't put it in my name, and I live here; he doesn't. I am not paying somebody else's bill. And I went over and over this with them. It's wrong. It could all be very simple and easy. They're very mixed up and wrong.

I was talking to Ms. **, at the counter at the department of water and power. I asked Ms. **. There was a mistake on my bill, because the past year of 2010, my bill was extremely high, and I was overcharged for service. Ms. ** said I see charges that was due, to past due bills. I said that's not true, because I paid my bills every 2 months, before the cut off notice. Ms. ** said, "if you like, you can dispute the bill". Ms. ** said, "sorry I guess you never paid your bill on time". I said to Ms. **, "as you can see, I always paid my bills on time". Ms. ** said sorry.

I live at **. My lower duplex has been vacant for one and a half year. I'm being charged $716.45 for trash pick up for that unit even though the unit was empty for one and a half year. Since the electricity was not turned off, I was informed that trash fees were automatically charged, even though there was no trash from 2029. I feel this fee should not be charged, simply because there was no trash from an empty apartment.

The LADWP charged me a ridiculous amount for a deposit on a single apartment, in the amount of over $200. When I moved and cancelled my service a year later, I gave them the new address to send my refund for the deposit. Almost 2 months later, I never received the check. I called and they had sent it to my old address, even though I had given them the proper address to send the check, when I cancelled my service. As I couldn't get the check, because it was somehow lost in the mail, at that point, they told me it would most likely be 3 months before they could reissue a new refund check.

I cancelled my service in July of 2011. It is now December of 2011, and I still haven't received my refund for my deposit. Please note that I have repeatedly called them, and given them my new address, and each time I call they have no record of me giving them the proper address to send the check. What LA DWP is doing is criminal. Why a $200 deposit for a bill? That is $40 every 2 months! I have been under repeated financial, and mental stress, because I have counted on that money refund repeatedly, and it has failed to arrive. Not to mention the stress in coming up with $200, just to have water and power!

My house has been in Reap program since 2008 because of bad electrical wiring. All the plugs don't work and we have power surges constantly. There wouldn't be any power in the house once the surges blew out my brand new TV, it never to work again. But my main problem is with the DWP and my power has been off for five months with an outstanding light bill of almost $4000.00 That is the second bill for that much that has been generated in less than a year because even though there was electrical problems that were investigated by LAHD, and building code inspection.

I am still being billed this outrageous amount for the second time without any help from the housing program that is supposed to educate and provide help with these type of problems. My money was put into an escrow account and when the problems first started, I was refused help and denied access to my funds. I paid into the account even though DWP and LAHD work together. My problem was never solved, my power terminated and now I'm facing eviction because of this problem. Help please. I have run out of time and my rights have been violated. Now with all this, soon I'll be homeless. What is wrong with me? Why don't I even have a voice and people are really mean cold and heartless?

I received a water bill for $557.33, for a property that is vacant in San Fernando, California. I called them immediately on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. I was given a number to call during weekdays because the meter reading department doesn't work on weekends. So I called Monday, Oct. 17, 2011 and the first thing the operator said was "we already went and double checked your water meter after you called us". I said, "but I called last Saturday, your office was close!" She put me on hold then she said, "your bill is correct, you'll receive a letter" and just transferred me.

I couldn't even ask her a question. I was transferred to another operator and she said "we sent somebody to double check your meter before you even called us because if we see that your bill is too high, we do a second inspection automatically". Nobody lives in the house. We irrigate once a day. Honestly, I don't think we can waste that much water by only watering the lawn. There is something going on with this department. Last time, my meter was broken and they charged me $300.00 estimated charges. This company is not right. Please investigate more about this outrageous charges. Thank you.

Around March of 2011, I signed up for the Refrigerator Exchange Program through LADWP. On Sept. 28, 2011, I received a call from them that an LADWP site inspector would be out on Sept. 29, 2011, between the hours of 8 am-12 noon. By the time I got the message, their office had already closed. So, I left a message to reschedule. I received a letter dated 09/23/2011 that states they have rescheduled the inspection for Oct. 08, 2011. I find that odd considering I asked to reschedule on Sept. 28, 2011.

On Oct. 07, 2011, at 11:37 am, they called me to confirm the inspection appointment for Oct. 08, 2011, 9am-1pm. I agreed to it. On Oct. 08, 2011, at 10:05 am, they called to tell me that they were not able to come out to inspect the fridge. This was after I had taken out time from work to be here and after clearing out the food from my fridge for the inspection. They said that no one would be out to inspect. They claimed that the inspector was not informed, even though they mailed a letter and called the night before to confirm the appointment.

This department is charging a bill for three years of not paying water. They bill for water and power every two months and they said that they only bill me for power because the water meter was damaged for 3 years.

I usually check on my bill how much water and power I used every period and see if I wasted a lot. Please help me. I feel that they robbed me.

Since you do have my personal information above, I shall get to my very problematic issues I am having with LADWP over the last 10 years. I am 69 years old and just got discharged of BK 7 on the 18th of August 2011. DWP has done various cruel attempts including shutting of my services 4 times, 2 of them while I was sick and was in bed. They did send forms to fill and send for damages caused. I have sent the same twice with (40) colored pictures to show the damages of two of the incidents. They never contacted me even once to ask any questions regarding this issues. Your 'Revenue recovery Group' has moonstones. Female/Male representatives who tried to eat me alive.

They thought I was in BK last year and asked outrageous deposit of $1045 which I paid although I was not in. I backed out. However this year in April 4th, I filed BK7 and got discharged. DWP has made me pay charges that were included in the schedule - F. They never released my $1045 either. Because I couldn't keep the arranged pay plan, they threatened me to shut off services when temperature was over 100 mark. I paid my first which they selected, without making plan to be lesser in amount. I paid $445 two weeks ago but due to not being able to work and being sick, I cannot make the payment today. I will in one week.

A woman named Johnson is a bad influence and DWP gets reputation due to her abusive conduct with customers. I need to have until Wednesday the 14th to pay my next installment.

An extra electric bill for $2,952.38 was sent to me for back electricity charges on what they claim was unmeasured common area electricity usage at my 16 unit apartment building that went unmeasured because of bypass on electric meter. I bought an apartment building in 1995 and never tampered with the electric meter. They claim that the bill is only for 3 years of back usage. The bypass was detected when they installed the new meter on October 2010.

I moved out of LA County and my closing bill went from $34 to $232. I wanted an explanation as to why such a huge increase. I tried to dispute the bill.

I followed their procedures to dispute with no response. After calling and writing several times, LADWP mailed me a threatening letter that the bill would be turned over to a collection agency. My credit standing is very important to me, so I paid the bill.

I think it is very unconscionable and unethical that this huge behemoth organization systematically didn't allow me to file a dispute, and LADWP can arbitrarily charge any amount without any regulatory agency overseeing their practices. Now, I'm left to clear my name with Caine & Weiner.

Let's start with the excessive charges that I have been fighting them about for over 7 years. They have over-charged me for years; I have complained for years. If they tell the truth, you will see how I have complained about the over-charges that they put on me. My bills are running over $183 - $283 every two months in the 7 years I have dealt with them. I have a lifeline that is not doing any good. I have some of these bills to prove how they are charging me. I kept telling them I can't pay these kind of bills. I am a senior, legally disabled, live on a fixed income that does not have room for these kinds of bills. I have complained and asked for help for years. They cut the DWP off on me; I had to have help to get it back on. They know I am sick; I have been paying $150.00 every two months, for the last 3 months and before, $60.00 every two months. I have brought my bill down from $1,063.00 to $653.00 and that includes the bill that comes every two months.

I have done everything that they suggested (the refrigerator, lighting, disconnecting things), and yet the bill was still extremely high. Other things are suffering because of them and I just don't know what to do. Today, I received a shut-off note, after paying them $150.00 this month. I have no more money and they want $653.00 by Monday, June 18th. This is after I have been paying them $150.00 every month. I don't have it. I just got out of the hospital ( have papers) from a surgery. I have doctors, nurses, and social workers to prove this.

I let them know a head of time that I was going in for surgery. I am still very sick. I live in an all-electric apartment by myself, and still can not figure out how my bills were so high through the years. I am sick, elderly, and live in an upstairs-apartment in the valley where the heat that can get to 110 degrees. If they cut me off on Monday, June 18th, I don't think I can make it. They are very much aware of this. If I should die because of this, what is that called? No one should have the right to play God; and why is it that with all my complaints, no one is helping me. This is elderly abuse. There is no help anywhere -- no agencies have any money. There is no help.

Something has to be done. Don't let this company play God. This has to stop, for my sake and all other millions of people who are complaining about the LADWP. I remember when they cut off seniors in my neighborhood, a couple of years back, and those people died. I beg of you, if there is no help and no money, they want me to pay like I have a job. That is the same plan that people who have jobs get. I get for a whole month what someone who works get for one week. I can prove everything I say. They are being very unreasonable; they don't try to help. If I am paying them $300.00 every two months, $150.00 of it every month, how can they cut me off? Everything else is backing up on me. If I have brought my bill down from $1065.00 to $653.00 in a matter of 3 months, how can they cut me off? Please do something about this. Please pass some laws. Please stop this abuse. No company in the USA has the right to play with people's lives; and no one is doing anything about it -- and they are trying to raise the bills. Please feel free to call if there are any questions.

My water bill and sanitation have tripled high to the skies, plus they charged me fees for late payments. They waited to send the bill after six months, after my services were turned on. Also, they said that they have changed the old water meter and replaced it with a new one, which they said I have to pay for.

On November 1, 2009, I moved from Burbank Boulevard to Sepulveda Boulevard. I called LADWP (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power) in November 30, 2009 to terminate their services at Burbank Boulevard and to start a new service at Sepulveda Boulevard. In February, I got a bill; their services still continued at Burbank Boulevard even if I did not live there since November 30, 2009. I spoke to LADWP, and I sent by mail evidences from new bills and U-Haul invoice, with dates showing that I left Burbank Boulevard and moved to a new address in Sepulveda Boulevard.

Over a year, I have been dealing with LADWP not taking the bill of my account from my old address. I spoke to many supervisors every month of year 2010 and they all say that the bill from the old residence is going to be taken off, but I still get bills. Now they want to send this claim to the collection agency. I did not do anything wrong, and now LADWP want to ruin my credit when LADWP is not doing anything they said they would do to handle this claim.

DWP has put me into collections for not paying a closing bill. Basically, the closing bill was sent for the wrong amount of $221. When I contacted DWP at first, they said that the billing dept was backed up. Then on the second time, they said they were going to research on it, on the third time, they said they will research and will call back but I got none. Now, 6 or 7 months later, they put me in collections and then told me that I have to pay a collection agency and get my self out. I've been on the line for 2 hours tonight so I filed this complaint.

The Los Angeles Dept. of Water & Power sent me a water bill that was way over previous bills. I called the DWP, to ask why and the representative told me that there was an increase in water used. I asked if my water meter was actually read or was this an estimate. I was told here records showed it was an actual reading of the water meter, that someone was out there and took the reading. The next day, I went to see my tenants to find out why the increase in water consumption. I was told they had not used any more water than previously and that there should not be an increase.

My son checked for leaks in and under the house, and found none. We then went to the water meter on the sidewalk, pulled the lid up, and found the meter covered in caked on dirt, a couple of inches thick. I took a picture of the meter covered in dirt and took it to the representative @ the DWP and told her there was no way actual readings were being performed.

Please advice. Thank you.

Last week we had an underground pipe leak that flooded our neighborhood. LADWP repaired the pipe again for the third time within the last year. Once again they left debris, caked dirt throughout the entire neighborhood and failed to clean it up. Our street cleaning service ran this week and provided it usual and customary, once over pass through with very little water. It was not sufficient to clean up the debris. I know that this is not done in other communities and it appears that it is blatant neglect and disrespect or lack of service to certain areas within the 8th council district.

I was told by Bernard **'s office that the LADWP has the responsibility to clean up after repair and could have sent a water truck to get rid of the debris. Dirt is everywhere, flies up into houses when cars pass, it is unhealthy and unsightly. Why are water trucks not sent to the 8th council district, when there is street repair and or pipe repair that has caused flooding resulting in dirt and debris. The area that have been affected are 65th place and Raymond, 65th street and Raymond and 65th place to Normandie, 65th street to Normandie.

I have 2 meters attached to my home. My bill has almost tripled in the past few years since the meter was attached. I have had them come out and they say nothing is wrong. For the past couple of years, I have lived alone and my bill is even higher. What's going on?

I've been very responsible and had a lot of patience with LADWP. Seven months ago, my meter broke down and I immediately reported it to the department so they could come out and fix that for me. Until this day, I have not received a letter stating when they are going to come and fix it or had anybody come by to take a look at it. But, my bills don't stop coming from $300 to $700 each month before my meter went out. I was paying from $35 to $50 the most. Now, they've been having me give payments for these large amounts. I'm always on time paying my bills that now I find it very difficult to pay my other bills. On my bills, it clearly says meter electric delayed but doesn't make a difference because they have not done anything to change that.

Now, I have cut my expenses in half and I barely have for my rent and my other bills. I'm very frustrated with this situation. LADWP has made it very difficult for me to pay these whole amounts that I don't owe. Thanks.

DWP bills more than doubled the last few months we lived at the Madrid Apartment in Westchester, CA. We called DWP and asked them to please check on what was going on. They refused saying no alerts went off on their system. No changes had occurred at our place so we knew something was not right. Several times we called in the next few months and met with the same response, except that if we did not pay the bill they would turn us off so we paid.

Turns out the tenant next to us had their power turned off months before they were evicted from the Madrid Apartments and had tapped into the wall of our kitchen for power. That is why our bill was off the charts for a few months. Cost us over $400 in electrical that was not ours. Manager and maintenance manager from the apartments was willing to give a statement on what they had found when the tenant was finally out and DWP did not care. We were recovering from a strike, slow down by SAG, economy taking a dive then we had to put out money that we did not have excess of to pay someone else's power bill.

Water meter was defective, not being charged for water used from 10/07 to 02/08. I was never notified of problem by DWP until a rep. from their cust. serv. dept. came to our home. Their rep. said I would be contacted to resolve the issue, I never was. I physicaly contacted the DWP by local off. visit and by phone. I am being billed over $400.00, asked if bill could be reduced, due to currently I am unemployed. Or a 6 month payment schedule could be worked out.

They will not be reduced the amount and their policy would only allow for a min. payment plan of $100.00 over 4 months. And that is in addition to any upcoming usage/current bill. And if any current bill is not paid by the due date, they will terminate any payment plan agreeed. I asked that this problem be considered on a case by case bases and should not effect any current billing even if I am one day late on a current bill.Their defective equipment is not my fault and the lack of notification/ communication is their responsibility.

They asked me why didn't I check my bill then I would have noticed the water portion not being charged. I told them it is not my job to make sure your invoicing is correct and as long as I pay my bill on time or withing the grace period, they are responsible problem and should be more flexable in this situation.