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Houston Real Estate Forum

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Nicholas Commerford
  • Investor
  • Houston, TX
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Sub-metering/ Seperating Unitilies

Nicholas Commerford
  • Investor
  • Houston, TX
Posted Jun 3 2016, 17:36

Hello all, I've got my eye on a foursquare house property in 77007 (Houston, Tx). My idea for the property is to House hack the property into an upstairs/downstairs duplex (2/2 units). My main concern and area of ignorance is the cost to separate the utilities (electric, water, sewer). Does anyone in the general area have any experience with this type of conversion or cost? Any tips or advice would be greatly welcomed and appreciated.

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Kevin Wood
  • Investor
  • Houston, TX
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Kevin Wood
  • Investor
  • Houston, TX
Replied Jun 3 2016, 18:49

In general it's not worth doing it in Texas. We looked at metering our properties in 77009. It will cost several thousand per meter AND you have to ensure that each unit is separately wired which is very costly to do. In 77007 there are a lot of all bills paid properties.

Account Closed
  • Seattle, WA
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Account Closed
  • Seattle, WA
Replied Jun 3 2016, 21:25

rubs is also an option, it's much less expensive then separating the utilities

http://www.guardianwp.com/rubs

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Kami S.
  • Sugar Land, TX
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Kami S.
  • Sugar Land, TX
Replied Jun 3 2016, 21:45

I don't have any experience in this but there was a BP podcast that was saying you have to look at the market you are in and if others are not doing it you shouldn't either since tenants will look in to getting to properties they have to spend less money or pay a flat fee for their water and...

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Nicholas Commerford
  • Investor
  • Houston, TX
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Nicholas Commerford
  • Investor
  • Houston, TX
Replied Jun 5 2016, 07:59

Thanks for the advice guys. @Account Closed I had no idea RUBS was a thing. Thanks for the heads up. 

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David Dachtera
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Rockford, IL
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David Dachtera
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Rockford, IL
Replied Jun 5 2016, 08:04

@Nicholas Commerford,

I know "Unitilies" may have been a typo, but it looks like a mash-up of the words "Unit" and "Utilities".

Very Clever! I like it!

David J Dachtera

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Nicholas Commerford
  • Investor
  • Houston, TX
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Nicholas Commerford
  • Investor
  • Houston, TX
Replied Jun 5 2016, 12:41

@David Dachtera we'll just say it was on purpose. haha