Power Metering Strategies for Mobile Home Park Developments

Power Metering Strategies for Mobile Home Park Developments

Real Estate Broker · Newburgh, NY · Member since 2016 · 62 posts · 54 votes

Hello mobile home park-ers! 
I'm a mobile home park newbie and looking at a deal with great returns. The mobile home park, however, has a super messy way that they manage sub-billing each unit for power.  Management is sending people out each month to manually read electric meters, then manually generating bills for usage fro each mobile home. 

Is this normal? What solutions have you seen for this situation? I assume installing direct meters from the utility company is not cost effective or possible?

Thanks for sharing your experience! 

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Rental Property Investor · Washington State · Member since 2023 · 182 posts · 123 votes
1y

My MHPs and LTRV parks are individually metered meaning tenant pays direct to the the utility for power.  Obviously the best way to go if possible.  Your answer will certainly lie with the utility company... they will know why things are the way they are.  Late last year I added a couple long term RV spots and went with one meter to save money (I include all utilities in the space rent for just these two RV spots).  Had to upgrade the transformer though and that was a bit of an expense.  Point being those necessary upgrades may be the reason prior owner chose to handle his own meter reading and billing.  

Anywho... call your power utility and they will have the scoop for you I am sure.

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  • Rental Property Investor · Washington State · Member since 2023 · 182 posts · 123 votes
    1y

    My MHPs and LTRV parks are individually metered meaning tenant pays direct to the the utility for power.  Obviously the best way to go if possible.  Your answer will certainly lie with the utility company... they will know why things are the way they are.  Late last year I added a couple long term RV spots and went with one meter to save money (I include all utilities in the space rent for just these two RV spots).  Had to upgrade the transformer though and that was a bit of an expense.  Point being those necessary upgrades may be the reason prior owner chose to handle his own meter reading and billing.  

    Anywho... call your power utility and they will have the scoop for you I am sure.

    • Real Estate Broker · Newburgh, NY · Member since 2016 · 62 posts · 54 votes
      1y


      Quote from @Roger D Jones:

      My MHPs and LTRV parks are individually metered meaning tenant pays direct to the the utility for power.  Obviously the best way to go if possible.  Your answer will certainly lie with the utility company... they will know why things are the way they are.  Late last year I added a couple long term RV spots and went with one meter to save money (I include all utilities in the space rent for just these two RV spots).  Had to upgrade the transformer though and that was a bit of an expense.  Point being those necessary upgrades may be the reason prior owner chose to handle his own meter reading and billing.  

      Anywho... call your power utility and they will have the scoop for you I am sure.

       Thanks Roger! This makes a ton of sense and is a very helpful commentary; I'm glad to hear not everyone is dealing with manually reading electric meters each month. 

    • Samuel CoronadoPro Member
      Investor · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2016 · 348 posts · 182 votes
      1y
      Quote from @Roger D Jones:

      My MHPs and LTRV parks are individually metered meaning tenant pays direct to the the utility for power.  Obviously the best way to go if possible.  Your answer will certainly lie with the utility company... they will know why things are the way they are.  Late last year I added a couple long term RV spots and went with one meter to save money (I include all utilities in the space rent for just these two RV spots).  Had to upgrade the transformer though and that was a bit of an expense.  Point being those necessary upgrades may be the reason prior owner chose to handle his own meter reading and billing.  

      Anywho... call your power utility and they will have the scoop for you I am sure.

      How much was the roundabout cost to upgrade that transformer? I'm facing a similar thing for adding units to one of my properties. 
  • Rental Property Investor · Washington State · Member since 2023 · 182 posts · 123 votes
    1y

    Samuel,

    Not 100% sure on my recollection but I think we were $4200 all in.  Transformer upgrade, wire and conduit.  I bought my own post, box and meter.  

    Rog

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