how do you handle garbage and water utilities in Houston/Texas

Question

Would love to ask the BP community for some advice and experience, we just purchased our first out-of-state rental in Houston and are in the process of setting up utilities. As the property owner in Houston do you typically set up the water and garbage under your name and pass the cost on to the tenants? or do you have the tenants set it up under their names after they move in?

thank you for any insight and thoughts you have to share

Nathan Gesner · Answer

If the utility can be put in the Tenant's name, that's what you should do. Make them take complete responsibility.

Julie Chai · Answer

Hi Steve, if you're including those utilities in tenant's monthly rent, then your name should be on the utility accounts. If you're not, tenants need to put it under their names and pay it themselves, and it should start with the same date they're moving in.

Julie Chai · Answer

@Steve Tran I had that same question when I just bought my houston property.... My agent and PM said it was not necessary to provide a washer/dryer, so it's really up to you as the landlord. I did not. The tenants just moved in and provided their own.

Steve Tran · Answer

in Texas I noticed in a lot of the photos that most rentals don't have a washer and dryer included? are most tenants in texas expecting to purchase or bring in their own washer and dryer unit when they rent your property?

Wale Lawal · Answer

Utilities should be under the tenant name.

Steve Tran · Answer

@Julie Chai @Nathan G.- thank you both for your thoughts on this. As we go forward and begin the process of finding a tenant here in Houston we will do as you both recommended. Thank you so much.

how do you handle garbage and water utilities in Houston/Texas

how do you handle garbage and water utilities in Houston/Texas

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