Key Facts
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has taken action against flat owners who are renting out their properties for short stays through booking apps, treating them as 'private lodges'. The Anti Power Theft Squad (APTS) conducted inspections in Kazhakootam and imposed fines totaling ₹10.71 lakh on three consumers. The KSEB now plans to expand these inspections statewide.
Details of the Action
Following a tip-off, the KSEB vigilance team, led by Vigilance Officer N. Rajan, booked rooms via a booking app to catch the violation. Rajan stated, 'The customer is issued a password which is used to unlock the room. In this particular instance, they were charging ₹4,000 for two hours.' The inspections were carried out by APTS units from Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.
Why This Matters
Under KSEB tariff rules, flats used for residential purposes fall under the Low Tension I (Domestic) category, which has lower tariff slabs. However, when flats are used as private lodges, they fall under Low Tension VII (Commercial) category, which has higher tariffs. By not declaring the commercial use, consumers were underpaying for electricity, leading to revenue loss for the utility.
Regulatory Context
In its tariff order issued on December 5, 2024, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission noted that 'lakhs of houses/flats owned by NRIs and high net-worth individuals owning multiple houses remain mostly unoccupied or under occupied.' The Commission directed KSEB to submit details of such properties, including connected load and monthly consumption over the previous three years.
What Readers Should Know
- If you own a flat and rent it out for short stays via apps, you may be liable for higher commercial tariffs and fines.
- KSEB is actively monitoring such violations and plans to expand inspections across Kerala.
- Consumers should ensure their electricity connection category matches the actual use of the property to avoid penalties.
FAQ
Why did KSEB fine flat owners?
Flat owners were renting out their flats as private lodges via booking apps, which falls under commercial tariff category, but they were paying domestic tariff, violating electricity tariff conditions.
How much fine was imposed?
Total fines of over ₹10.71 lakh were slapped on three consumer numbers in Kazhakootam area.
Will KSEB expand such inspections?
Yes, KSEB plans to extend inspections across Kerala to check similar violations.