Vakil Help Desk News: with authorities moving to clarify power-billing norms for housing societies, here is what the law says about electricity charges in gated societies and apartments — and what residents can do about overcharging.
Vakil Help Desk News, RWA & Housing Societies. Many gated societies and apartment complexes run on a single-point electricity connection, with the RWA or maintenance agency distributing power to residents. This often leads to disputes over the rate charged.
The legal position
- Where a society redistributes electricity, it generally cannot charge residents more than the applicable DISCOM tariff, plus only reasonable, disclosed distribution/administration charges permitted by the regulator.
- State electricity regulatory commissions set the norms for single-point supply and the permissible charges; collecting a profit margin on electricity is not allowed.
- Residents are entitled to a transparent, itemised bill showing units consumed and the rate applied.
- Overcharging or opaque billing can be challenged before the electricity regulator, the ombudsman, or the consumer forum.
What residents can do
Ask for itemised bills and the tariff basis, compare with the DISCOM rate, and raise overcharging with the regulator or consumer forum. Societies should bill at cost and keep clear records.
What this means for you
If your society or maintenance agency bills electricity, you are generally entitled to be charged at the official DISCOM tariff plus only reasonable, disclosed distribution charges — not a profit margin — with transparent, itemised bills. Overcharging can be challenged before the electricity regulator, ombudsman or consumer forum. Keep your bills and meter readings. We advise residents and RWAs on electricity-billing disputes and compliant billing.