utility bills: Water bills--another option when deciding who is to pay - 12/30/11 12:08 PM
With more and more communities activating water meters, it is now the norm for tenants to be responsible for the water bill.  In making this decision it then becomes another task to bill the tenant and monitor whether they pay the bill (or reimburse the owner when specific water companies do not permit tenants to establish service directly).  More steps can mean more costs for the manager and the owner.  An option is to have the owner pay the minimum cost for water and advise the tenant that they reserve the right to bill them for amounts exceeding the basic water allotment.
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utility bills: Are the Utilities worth the work? - 09/29/10 06:42 AM
Having tenants be responsible for the water, sewer and garbage is a debate that may never end.   The costs for these services will continue to rise and the owners prefer to not pay them.  The problem is money--specifically the lack of money tenants have.  They will pay the rent, gas and their cell phone bill but the peripheral bills like the utilities get delayed like an over do hair cut.  It costs more in time to make sure they pay and avoid the late fees than may be worth it.  Agents who allow themselves to allot time for this ought to get … (2 comments)

utility bills: Tenant rights regarding Utility bills - 12/16/09 03:28 AM
New legislation was passed permitting tenants to pay their water, sewer and garbage bills when the owner fails to make payments.  Once an owner defaults on the utilities the rental property receives a legal posting that the services will be terminated and/or the property will have a lien recorded.  To prevent the loss of vital water, sewer and garbage services the tenant may now contact the provider, make direct payments and deduct the expense from the rent.  This is a law that is well overdue--as a property manager we receive panicked calls from tenants who have had their services terminated due to … (1 comments)