In a SFH the tenant is responsible for power, water and (if needed) gas. An exception for water may be a duplex situation where there might be one meter for two units and thus the landlord MIGHT keep the water in their name and bill the tenants.
Cost of trash pickup is dependent on the particular area (we pay for it as it is added to your yearly taxes).
Utility responsibilities are discussed with applicants during their walk through. I'm often asked what the average cost of utilities are for the rental house that I have up for rent. Since I've never lived in my rental houses (and I'm paying abnormally low electrical rates when these are empty...just to keep the frig going, air when showing a place, a few lights, etc.) I haven't a clue what these are. I do tell folks they can check with local utility companies that service the properties to find out what previous bills have run. I don't believe anyone has followed through with my suggestions.
In a SFH the tenant is responsible for power, water and (if needed) gas. An exception for water may be a duplex situation where there might be one meter for two units and thus the landlord MIGHT keep the water in their name and bill the tenants.
Cost of trash pickup is dependent on the particular area (we pay for it as it is added to your yearly taxes).
Utility responsibilities are discussed with applicants during their walk through. I'm often asked what the average cost of utilities are for the rental house that I have up for rent. Since I've never lived in my rental houses (and I'm paying abnormally low electrical rates when these are empty...just to keep the frig going, air when showing a place, a few lights, etc.) I haven't a clue what these are. I do tell folks they can check with local utility companies that service the properties to find out what previous bills have run. I don't believe anyone has followed through with my suggestions.
Hmmm, I feel like I'd just throw the main circuit breaker if I wasn't there showing it or rehabbing.
I don't see a reason to keep the power on otherwise, except I suppose for lights on timers or an alarm system.
Now I want to know if landlords typically have alarm systems on their properties...I have so many questions. I should search the forums first before posting.
@Account Closed I think for alarm system is one of those iffy things. Depends on neighborhood. Now a days tenants can purchase their own alarm system and take it with them when they move. Alarm system runs off cell towers; no need for a landline. A tenant carries all costs. I had one in a rental and offered (at their cost) the monitoring to tenant. They weren't interested, so went thru alarm termination process - ate the balance of the system contract.
I find it's good to keep the power on for the refrigerator; otherwise I'd have to clean it again prior to another tenant moving in.
And I like to keep at least one light on when a unit is empty to give the impression that it isn't (empty). Back when copper thieves were out stealing wire, plumbing and looting HVAC units they'd typically hit empty units. Now that a license is required to sell copper (in my area) it's not such a great problem as it was a few years ago.
In SFH's you can (and should, IMO) have the tenant pay everything. Put it in the lease that the tenant is responsible for putting the utilities in their name and paying those bills. Most/some utility companies have a 'rental program' so that when the tenant leaves, the name reverts back to your and you can manage/pay utilities in between tenants. Put in your listing what the tenant will be responsible or as you start engaging prospects. The Rent Marketplace lease is a good example (disclaimer, i lead it).