What does it include, aka will you pay my utilities? Q&A #1

Amen, I have seen the same thing. It's a totally stupid question unless it's a condo which might include some of those features.

Unfortunately it can be difficult to sub-meter certain expenses in multi-family housing such as water.  I wish that the common standard for building mandated separate metering for all utilities.

Hi Bob, it has been 40 years sice we had a landlord pay utilties.  Even them it was only because of common metering.

I showed a rental last month that was a one BR apt in a house....beautifully decorated, furnished and utilities included...for $1100.  The owners mother lived in the apt at one time.

Our tenants do pay their own utilities - or should I say they're SUPPOSED TO pay their own utilities. Having tenants pay utilities does nothing to make them be responsible around here.  The power company is so tolerant of unpaid bills, that it is months before they start sending out warnings.  By the time they are ready to shut off the power, we've usually evicted the tenants.

You are right.  There is no question in my mind when I enter a home in the winter that feels like a sauna or a frezzer in the summer, I know those folks aren't paying for the utilities.  

Bob, you are right, there is no reason to conserve energy, if someone else is paying the bills!

It seems that 90% of tenants who ask if heat is included have collections accounts from the gas company.  I guess they think we wont find out about that!

In our area it's not customary for the Landlord to pay the utilities, occassionally you will find one, but it's rare.  Last week I had a young couple, who actually, told me it wasn't fair that they had to pay utilities, they are renting the house.  I asked them are you going to be living in house?  Are you going to be using heat and Electricty , water, etc.  Of course they answered yes.  Well the landlord doesn't live there why should he pay for what yop use.  I could not believe it and kid with a sense of intitlement.

Bob, Great advice for us all! Excellent Blog post!!

I've found the most common source for this is people who've rented apartments in buildings where the utilities are included. What they've lived with, they tend to assume is offered elsewhere. And I have seen the effects of the tenants who can't connect the dots when it comes to utilities. A landlord friend of mine was called about a non-functioning heater on a house. When he arrived at the house at 10pm on a cold night, all the windows were open, as was the basement door. They just didn't realize that to keep the house warm, they should close the windows. 

In most cases the thought of near naked tenants is enough to get me not to want to pay the bills  :)  You are right though people are not responsible if they are not paying the bill.

yup --- good advice and it makes sense ... why would a landlord pay utilities? ... makes no sense to me

I have the same problem. It's a totally stupid question. I always want to ask if they want to pay my grocery bill or maybe my gas. Its just ridicules.

Hi Bob, I am enjoying going through some of your early blog posts and reposts and getting ready to start doing some posts myself soon.