Have you discovered that your neighbour is secretly taking your electricity? This is not just a minor offence, but can be a theft offence and a breach of energy regulations. We’ll tell you how to spot a situation like this, how to report it properly, and most importantly, how to get back the money you’ve lost.
Unauthorised consumption of electricity means that someone draws electricity without having a contract with the supplier or manipulates the meter to distort the actual consumption. Typically, this is when a neighbour secretly connects a cable to your socket, cabinet or meter.
Under both the Energy Act and the Criminal Code, this is a serious violation that can be assessed as a misdemeanor or outright theft offense. The perpetrator can be not only the person who physically takes the energy, but also the person who allows or knows about such an act.
Proving unauthorised consumption is often difficult because evidence is difficult to gather. It is important to keep calm and document everything properly before you take the plunge.
The most common means of evidence that can help you succeed in a legal process are:
If you suspect that your neighbour is taking unauthorised advantage of you, do not interfere with the wiring yourself – you could cause yourself not only injury but also legal complications. Ideally, you should contact the Czech Police or the electricity distributor, who will arrange for a professional verification and inspection report.
We also specialise in compensation. If you have suffered damage as a result of unauthorised consumption of electricity, we can help you recover it. We will prepare a legal challenge, calculate the claim and represent you in negotiations with the other party.
Under the Civil Code, if someone has taken electricity from you illegally, you have the right to claim full compensation for the damage caused by that action. The aim is to put the victim in the same financial situation as if the unauthorised consumption had never occurred. It is therefore not just a matter of simply paying the price of the electricity, but also of compensating for the other costs and consequences that have arisen from the conduct.
The cost of the unauthorised electricity: the value of the electricity consumed is the basic component of the damage. This is determined by the actual measured value (if it can be proven) or by the estimated consumption, which is determined by an expert or distributor on the basis of the household’s normal operation, the power of the appliances and the duration of the consumption.
The distributor will usually calculate the damage in accordance with the price list applicable for the period and tariff, so the resulting amount can be quite high, even for a short unauthorised consumption.
Example: if a neighbour has been drawing electricity through your socket for three months and has been using common appliances (e.g. heating and lighting in the garage) on a daily basis, the damage can amount to several thousand crowns.
The cost of repairing the meter or damaged wiring: in many cases, unauthorised consumption involves tampering with the meter, seals or wiring. If you have to repair or replace the meter or wiring, the cost of this work is part of the damage. This includes such things as replacing the meter, seals, junction box, revising the wiring or the work of an electrician, technician or review engineer. It is important to keep all invoices, receipts and repair reports so that you can substantiate the expenses in a claim.
The cost of detecting and proving unauthorised consumption: In order to convict the offender, it is often necessary to have a professional report or inspection report prepared. These costs are also reasonable expenses which must be reimbursed. This can include a review of the distribution network, a professional expert report and the cost of legal services to quantify and claim damages. If you had to contact a solicitor to help you establish the true extent of the damage and prepare the necessary documents, their fees are also part of the compensation.
Non-pecuniary damage (stress, invasion of privacy, disturbance of neighbourly relations: In some cases, the damage may be more than just financial. If the unauthorised taking has interfered with your privacy or psychological well-being, you can also claim reasonable compensation. A typical example is when a neighbour is found to have trespassed into your premises, tampered with your wiring or damaged equipment in your home. Such conduct may also be considered under Section 2956 of the Civil Code, which regulates compensation for non-pecuniary damage caused by the violation of personal rights. The amount of compensation depends on the severity of the interference, and can range from several thousand crowns to tens of thousands.
Tip: Do you have constant disputes with your neighbours during the year, for example about noise or smell from their property? Find out how you can defend yourself in our article.
If you have been incorrectly billed by your distributor as a result of unauthorised consumption, you can request a correction of the billing or a refund of the overpayment. It is advisable to contact the distributor’s customer support, provide evidence of the findings (e.g. a report from the Czech Police) and request a recalculation. If the distributor refuses to acknowledge the claim, you can contact the Energy Regulatory Authority or, with the help of a lawyer, initiate legal proceedings to recover the overpayment.
Once you suspect that someone is taking your electricity illegally, start by documenting everything carefully. Take photos of suspicious wiring or meter tampering, write down the condition of the meter, the date, and any circumstances you discover. Every detail can come in handy later, for example, when proving intent or the duration of the tapping. If you have the opportunity, also save your electricity bills, which may show a noticeable increase in consumption.
Then contact your electricity distributor or supplier. The latter has the authority to carry out a professional inspection, metering, sealing of equipment or a review of the distribution system if necessary. He or she will usually produce an official report, which can be key evidence in further proceedings. The distributor may also recommend further action or contact the energy inspectorate.
The next step is to file a criminal complaint with the Czech Police. State all known facts and attach any evidence you have gathered, such as photographs, the distributor’s record or witness statements. The police may then order a professional measurement or inspection to confirm the unauthorised withdrawal.
Once you have proved that the unauthorised withdrawal has actually taken place, you need to quantify the amount of damage. This is done using either the actual metered consumption or an estimate based on tariffs, the type of equipment connected and the length of time the consumption has been taking place. In this case, you will be assisted by a specialist or even a distributor who has experience with such calculations.
You can then claim compensation. This usually starts out of court – i.e. with a written demand for compensation addressed to the offender. If the other party does not have to pay, you can take legal action. If criminal proceedings have been initiated, you can also claim compensation directly as the victim.
Each of these steps has its pitfalls – especially in proving the extent of the damage or the intent of the perpetrator. We therefore strongly recommend that you contact a lawyer who can help you to proceed correctly, draw up the necessary documents and, if necessary, represent you in court or in negotiations with the police. Legal support will save you time, stress and often money that you would otherwise lose due to formal errors.
Tip: If your neighbour has caused damage to your property – for example, by spraying chemicals on your car and damaging the paintwork – he is liable for this damage under the Civil Code. Find out how you can defend yourself.
Unauthorised consumption of electricity is usually treated as theft under Section 205 of the Criminal Code. Minor damages are punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment, a fine or a ban on activity. If it is on a larger scale or repeated acts, the penalty can be up to 5 years. In particularly serious cases (e.g. in connection with a meter malfunction or a safety hazard), even more. In addition to the criminal penalty, the offender is obliged to compensate the full amount of the damage, even if the victim claims it independently through civil law.
If you discover that your neighbour is illegally taking your electricity, do not deal with it in a haphazard manner, but act systematically and in accordance with the law. Unauthorised consumption is a serious violation of the law, which can be considered a misdemeanour or even a theft offence under section 205 of the Penal Code. First document everything, take photographs and note the meter readings. Then contact the distributor, who will carry out a professional inspection and issue a report, and then file a criminal complaint with the Czech Police. Once the consumption has been proven, you can claim full compensation for the damage – not only the cost of the illegally consumed electricity, but also the cost of repairs, inspections, expert opinions or legal services. In some cases, you can also claim compensation for non-pecuniary damage, for example for stress or invasion of privacy. If the distributor has incorrectly billed you for consumption as a result of unauthorised consumption, you have the right to have the billing corrected or the overpayment refunded. Each case has its own specifics and proving them can be complicated, so it’s worth contacting a solicitor to help you quantify the damages, draft a notice and pursue your claim.
Unusual fluctuations in consumption, overheated sockets, broken seals on the meter or unusual cables may arouse suspicion. A review engineer or distributor can help.
File a report anyway – the police can use metering or line tracing to find the culprit.
Yes. Damages can be recovered even if the value is lower, e.g. a few hundred crowns. It is important to have proof of unauthorised collection.
The general limitation period is 3 years from the time you became aware of the damage and the perpetrator.
Get compensation for harm or damage – quickly and without stress. We will assess your chances, propose a strategy and prepare a challenge. All within 48 hours of placing your order. If necessary, we will then file a lawsuit and arrange legal representation. We will stand up for you fully.
Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
In person and online. Just choose the appropriate service or opt for an independent consultation when you are unsure.
