Introducing KUBRA EZ-PAY

CARMA Billing Services

The Most Transparent Billing Services Provider in the Industry

FAQs

BILLING FAQs SUBMETERING FAQs

Utility Billing

How do I enroll with Carma Billing Services? What are the charges?

An account enrollment form can be completed on line through our website. Just click on the forms tab and enrollment. Once completed hit the ‘I Agree, Please Submit My Request’ tab and we will look after it from there. Current administration charges for new accounts are applied to your first invoice. Charges are subject to change. Back to Top

When can I expect my first bill?

Your first bill will be issued within four to six weeks of enrollment. Back to Top

What is the billing cycle?

The billing cycle is the period of time between meter reads. Most accounts are billed on a monthly (30 or 31 day) cycle. Back to Top

Are there any other billing charges I should be aware of?

Customers will be charged a monthly on-bill fee. The on-bill fee reflects the cost associated with generating your bill, processing payments and operating the call center. This includes reading the meter, calculation of charges, generating the bill, processing payments, postage, etc. First bills will include a one-time occupancy charge. Please see our Conditions of Service for a full list of current charges. Back to Top

How are utility services billed?

Utility services are billed based on actual usage. Electricity is billed in kilowatt hours (kWh) using the prescribed utility structure. Natural gas and water are billed in cubic meters (m3). Rates are then applied to this usage to determine your bill amount. Utilities are billed using posted rates for the distribution area your building is located in. Back to Top

Does someone have to enter my residence to read my meter?

No. The meters are read remotely, through an electronic communication device that transfers data daily to our billing servers. Back to Top

How can I pay my bill?

Your bill can be paid through your financial institution’s telephone banking or online banking. You can pay at your local bank branch or ATM. Checks or money orders can be mailed to:
CARMA SUBMETERING SOLUTIONS,
PO BOX 51641 Los Angeles, CA 90051-5941.
Please allow enough time for mailed remittances to reach the office by the due date. Customers wishing to pay by credit card may do so using our user pay credit card service by calling EZPAY IVR Production at 1-833-913-0824. For convenient on-time payment, you can enroll in our electronic funds transfer payment plan. An electronic funds transfer enrollment form can be found on our website. Just click on the forms tab and then click electronic funds transfer. Back to Top

What are the payment deadlines?

Our bills are due within twenty days of issuance. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Canadian Statutory Holiday, payment is due on the next business day. Back to Top

What are the penalties for late payment?

A late payment penalty may be charged and added to the outstanding balance of all accounts unpaid after twenty days. Payments received are applied firstly to deposits and any arrears owing, secondly to any penalties outstanding, and thirdly to current charges. Back to Top

Why was there a late fee charged to my account?

Late fees are applied for payments received after the invoice due date or for amounts not paid in full. Back to Top

Can you change the due date?

No. Your bill is processed during a specific period of time each month and cannot be changed. Back to Top

Why are you charging so much for utilities?

The rates used for billing utilities are driven by the Local Distribution Company/Municipality and/or Commodity Provider for the area in which your building resides. Back to Top

Why is my bill higher than last month?

This may be caused by several reasons. Did you have any guests or change any habits that may have required more usage? The billing period may be longer than your previous bill’s. Significant changes in outdoor temperature may require greater use from your heating or cooling equipment causing higher charges from previous or past months. Access to your daily meter reads is just a click away. By clicking on meter information on our homepage you can view your daily history. This will help identify days or periods of time where your usage may have changed. Alternatively, contact our call center, we are happy to review your account with you. Back to Top

There is a disruption in services. Who should I call?

Please contact your Property Manager or the Local Distribution Company to investigate. Back to Top

What are your hours?

Our phone lines are staffed Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, EST. Our offices are closed Saturday, Sunday and all Canadian Statutory Holidays. Back to Top

How do you contact Carma Billing Services?

Customers can call 1-855-318-2204. The mailing address for your payment, moving form, or electronic funds transfer form and void check is: Carma Billing Services Inc. 132 Walsh Road Lindsay, ON K9V 4R3 Or you can e-mail them to info@carmacorp.com. Back to Top

Can I receive my bill by email?

To receive notification that your bill is ready to be viewed online, login to your CARMA account and choose the ‘Receive invoice by Mail and Email’ option. Login to your account using your CARMA account number and your assigned access code or password located in the lower right corner of your bill. If your bill does not have this information on it please call Customer Service at 1-855-318-2204 and they will issue you an access code over the phone. Once requested CARMA will send you a notification that your bill is ready to be viewed online. Back to Top

Why does CARMA ask for my ID?

When completing an enrollment or moving form, CARMA will ask for your ID. This is done to confirm and protect your identity regarding your account. Back to Top

I made a payment but it is not showing on my bill, why?

If you made a payment after the due date but before the next billing period there may not have been enough time to process that payment before the next bills were mailed out. Customer Service can verify whether a payment has recently been applied to your account or you can check your account online through our self-service portal. Back to Top

How do I set up my account for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)?

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is a safe and secure method for paying your utility bills with CARMA. We will automatically process your payments when your bill is due so you never have to miss a payment again. Make sure you input your information correctly the first time; if the information submitted is incorrect, and the EFT application is rejected by the bank, you will be charged an administration fee.
Please allow up to 5 business days for processing. Back to Top

Submetering

What is bulk metering and submetering?

Bulk metering
Bulk metering means the local distribution company (LDC) supplies electricity, water and/or natural gas to the facility, consumption is measured by one meter and the facility receives one bill. The total utility cost is then allocated based on a unit square footage basis. Actual individual unit consumption is not taken into account.

Submetering
Submetering involves measuring each unit’s energy usage and billing each Resident accordingly. The facility still receives one bill from the LDC, reflecting the total usage for the building.

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What are the benefits of submetering?

  1. Submetering is the single most cost effective way to remove in-suite utility costs from the buildings operating budget.
  2. A user pay model encourages long term conservation.
  3. Residents are empowered and can control monthly utility bills.
  4. Building Managers can accurately budget common area utility costs.

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How does submetering work?

Electricity submeters are installed in the main electrical rooms, typically located on every other floor.

Water meters are installed inside the suite, typically under the vanity in the bathroom.

Natural gas meters are installed inside the suite, typically in a utility closet.

All utility meters then communicate back to a central data collection unit. This data collection unit is accessed daily for meter read download and data backup.

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How is my meter read?

Depending on the type of meter that is installed, your meters will be read either remotely or manually.

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Can I choose to have my electricity supplied by someone other than CARMA?

CARMA does not supply the electricity to your building. The electricity is supplied by the local utility provider and CARMA acts as a third-party billing service. CARMA has been contracted by your Home Owners Association (HOA) or, in the case of a rental property, the Property Management Company to read the Submeters installed at your site and to bill the individual suites for the actual amount of utilities that are used.

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