Ways to save power?

eek - that is a HUGE bill for just one household!

Good move checking your hot water cylinder- that means it wont be 'boiling' the water up 24/7 like it would've been doing.

Maybe invest in a night store heater or another heater for the bedroom - check with a store to see what is the best option - I've heard that oil heaters arent very energy friendly.

I hang all of the washing we do onto 2x clothes horses and although it takes up a lot of space, we put them in our lounge with our dehumidifier nearby and at night when the gas fire is on, they dry in a few hours. I've only used the dryer once when we had no more room and lots of washing needing drying! You will be amazed at how efficient they are (they're so worth the money). We have ours running almost 24/7 and our biggest powerbill we've had this winter was about $160 (I live with DH and my brother - who often has his GF stay)

As with the others - turn off things at the wall. Its also good for safety too!!!

Gosh your landlord needs a kick up the butt!

So can your Mum remember if she payed a bond? If she did then by law the LL would have had to send that in.

Still cant get over that bill that is MASSIVE!

I would also try ringing your power company and just saying look we have received this massive bill, is there any charge to have someone come out and look at our house as we think you have got it wrong and that we are going to have to go to another power company as this is just to big - that way you should get someone out free to have a look!

They would charge about $50 an hour plus travel from where ever they come from. Changing 3 sockets, so long as the wiring itself is ok, shouldn't take more than an hour.

Kandice, you are well within your rights to serve your landlord with a 10 day notice to fix the issues in the house. 

It basically gives her 10 days to sort the most important items out.  It doesn't matter if you have an agreement or not.  If she doesn't do it within that time period then you go to mediation. The mediator will then rule on what she needs to fix.  This may take awhile as she may have to provide quotes and/or you will have to provide quotes.  Most companies will quote to have bulk items fixed.

Also in Auckland to replace a low pressure cylinder not including the valves can cost between $1300 - $1500+GST. Not sure what it would be down there as I don't know what the hourly rates are for plumbers down your way. The hot water cylinder if over 25 years old should be replace, is there any rust around it?  Cylinders can be dodgy because of the calcium, they can cause the cylinders to break down and also for the water to be not so good.

Another hint for you; when you fill your jug dont' use the hot tap, use the cold tap.  It may take longer for the jug to boil, but the water you will be getting from the cylinder will be from the bottom.

Our company would charge approx $300 to replace the light switches, so that's about what Cuppatea estimated also.

Personally I'd be going for 10 day notice.