What is the average water bill for a duplex?

Question

I understand the property owner pays the water bill on rentals. I'm looking to purchase a duplex or 4-plex. I need accurate utility numbers to include for my deal analysis. I know this can very depending on the size of the property. What are owners paying for water in San Antonio?

Jamie Engledow · Answer

I think you need a response from a San Antonio Investor.  In south Florida. Sometimes the landlord paid and sometimes tenant pays.  I remember water, sewer, and trash costing $35 per month for one 4 bedroom 3 bath home O owned in Boca Raton, Fl. My home in Barrington, NH has zero water cost because the house has it's own well and zero sewer, because it has it's own septic tank, and zero trash brcause each resident has to tale their own trash to the transfer station or hire someone else to do so.

Spenser Murphy · Answer

Did you raise the rent by the average amount of the water bill?

Joanne Szewc · Answer

One of my duplexes in Medical Center area, 3 brdm / 2 full bath, each with family with kids and house doesn't have separate meters for units,  so I pay the bill and it averages to about $140/month.  I initially would invoice each unit for 1/2 the bill, however, changed it where I include it into the rent now and it makes it easier for everyone.  Also, if I see it go up especially on the comparison chart of the bill, it is time to review the toliets and such for running water/leaks.

Seth Teel · Answer

@Spenser Murphy

I owned a duplex here in SA for the last 4 years.   Just sold it. Each Unit was a 2/1.  There were never more than 4 people living in the entire building for those 4 years.  The bill was never over $60/month.

To answer another question:  SAWS will allow a tenant or Property management company (AKA non-owner) open an account at the property.  It typically requires documented permission from the owner.  They have a process for it.

Rick Pozos · Answer

Its about double what you use at your house. I have a commercial mixed use building with 2 commercial units and 3 residential units. Bill is usually about 175 per month. For a duplex it is going to be about$80 to $100 per month or $40 to $50 per unit. It is going to matter how many people are living in the units also. If 1 bedrooms, probably closer to $30 per month per unit. If its 3 bedrooms with 2 adults and 3 or 4 kids you are probably going to be at about $65 per unit per month. My place is 2 bedroom units.

Owner pays the water sometimes, not always.

Jackson Carr · Answer

A better question would be how many units is your duplex using and the definition of a unit of water. I don't have my bill in front of me so I cannot help, but I paid 64 on my last California duplex water bill.  If you PM me I can get you the gallons used.

Good Luck,

Jack

Jeff B. · Answer

Question is too specific to a locale and utility rates.  My Calif rate would give someone in Nebraska nightmares.

Call the local utility to discuss these kinds of issues.  Might as well chase the waste disposal fee while your at it.