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That's usually an upfront issue. Like one posed by the LL in the listing for rent: "utilities included" or "utilities not included".
I HATE the "what's the average utility bill?" question. Depends on how many months you let a toilet run and run and run, how many guests you let shower in the apt, how long you know there's a leak (because you can see it) and don't tell me, how many times you wash a car or host a sorority/fraternity or any other "group" function car wash on the premises... or what temp you set your heat at.
It's all up to YOU!
How am I supposed to know?
I have water/sewer bills that are $75, and for the same amount of kids in a different, yet the same type of unit $275 a quarter.
I don't know what the $275/quarter kids are doing.
I just charge them.
It's their problem, not mine. I didn't create the bill.
Make it my problem, if there is one, I'll fix it. Don't tell me about it, you pay for it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wireyourworld
No its not a simple answer. If its a single family home that the landlord has either never lived in, or hasn't lived in in years, and tenants have always had utilities in their name, the landlord would have no idea what the power bill would be, on average or not.
Yes again simple answer, see bolded, in the post I responded too.
Yes again simple answer, see bolded, in the post I responded too.
I don't see it.
I have one rental, its a house. I last lived in it over 5 years ago. FPL has raised rates since then, however I have also made energy efficient changes to the rental. Plus I lived alone so my bill would be far different then a family of 3.
I now live in a different county altogether, the house is 3 times the size of the rental, and I don't look at or pay, the power bill.
When a tenant leaves, the power company does not fully cut off the power to the house as they know its a rental and its the one little thing they do for landlords as long as you can get the place re-rented in 30 days, and I don't abuse the power bill. I clean and refresh the place during daylight hours as much as possible, so again, I don't see a power bill.
So do I know the average power bill? I have NO idea.
I have one rental, its a house. I last lived in it over 5 years ago. FPL has raised rates since then, however I have also made energy efficient changes to the rental. Plus I lived alone so my bill would be far different then a family of 3.
I now live in a different county altogether, the house is 3 times the size of the rental, and I don't look at or pay, the power bill.
When a tenant leaves, the power company does not fully cut off the power to the house as they know its a rental and its the one little thing they do for landlords as long as you can get the place re-rented in 30 days, and I don't abuse the power bill. I clean and refresh the place during daylight hours as much as possible, so again, I don't see a power bill.
So do I know the average power bill? I have NO idea.
The poster clearly stated I charge them so obviously he has the utilities in his name and charges the tenants or he wouldn't be charging them!
Statutes and ordinances were changed. Garbage is now required by ordinance to bill property owner on residential service... commercial has no such requirement.
Water will bill tenant... if tenant fails to pay... all charges, including late fees plus lien fees and interest go against the property if not paid.
Paying for tenant utilities is a bad idea on many fronts and it is slowly becoming the norm. The reason is because it is easier to go after the owner vs the renters.
At least the for profit Gas and Electric companies don't hold owners hostage... yet
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