Any compliance tips for tenant utility over/under payment?

[Abhishek Koundal]

Landlords  or Property managers, 
Currently how are you ensuring the compliance on rental properties for tenant e.g. utility bill reconciliation etc.? 

[Drew Sygit]

Quote from @Abhishek Koundal:

Quote from @Kenneth Garrett:

@Abhishek Koundal

I think it depends whether it's a SFH or a multi-tenant building. On my SFH, I have the tenant sign up for water/sewer and they pay the bill direct. I make sure I am cc'd on the billing so I know it's being paid.

For a multi-Unit, I sub-meter the water and send them a bill.  There are companies who will do this for you for a price.  It’s a bit pricey for small multi’s.  Make sure you collect a deposit in case they don’t pay the bill when they leave.  You can use the security deposit for this if need be.  Not sure what California allows.

SFH as now as my portfolio doesn't have multi-family yet.
Yes I am looking at the sign up from tenant for water/sewer signup, the only issue is to make sure they are paying there bill and I don't forget to see, if they paid :). 

 Electric and gas are easy to manage and make sure tenant puts in their name.

Water: some cities/states do NOT put the water liabilty in tenant name.
- Michigan is like this. So, we have water bills sent to us. We pay them and then bill the tenant, adding to their rent ledger. We do NOT recommend letting water bills going to the rental property and hoping the tenants pay.