Maine landlord claims CMP double-billed her for nearly 20 years
Biddeford landlord files a complaint in court against CMP
Biddeford landlord files a complaint in court against CMP
Biddeford landlord files a complaint in court against CMP
Maureen Verreault owns two apartment buildings In Biddeford, Maine. One of the apartments is located on Main Street, the other is located on Foss Street. She has filed a complaint against CMP for allegedly double billing her for nearly 20 years.
At the Main Street location, there is a separate meter for electricity to a common area that Verreault pays for. According to the complaint, Central Maine Power, allegedly charged each of the 8 tenants in the Main Street building delivery charges on their electricity each month from February 2005 to January 2023. CMP was also allegedly charging Verreault the same delivery charge for all 8 units during the same period.
At the Foss Street apartment building, CMP allegedly charged Verreault delivery charges for all 6 units, despite only having one meter for the whole building.
When asked how she went so long without noticing the overcharges, Verreault says the charges are, “Not explained on the bill clearly.” Verreault decided to investigate the matter after receiving a CMP delivery charge for over $200 that was meant to supply only electricity to two front porch lights and a boiler at one apartment building.
A representative from CMP released a statement saying,
“We are aware of this past issue, and we amicably reached an agreement with the customer in 2023. The details of such agreement are not something (CMP) can share publicly, but after working in good faith, the customer professed to be satisfied with the outcome.”
Verreault says, “Good faith? No. There was no final resolution to this. They came up with an offer and I said, ‘You’ve been charging me for 18 years and you want to give me back 6 of it and keep 12 of it. I said no. I said that’s not right,’ and they said, ‘Take it or leave it.’”
According to Verreault’s attorney, Verreault was paid about $7,000 for only 6 years of overcharging.
CMP says regarding the six years, that is in line with the Maine Public Utilities Commission rules regarding statute of limitations which CMP is bound by as a regulated company.
Verreault is asking for two things through the complaint, $100,000 and 10 percent of the charges for the months she was double billed.