All Forum Posts by: Brian Stone

With the properties we bill (including my own) we see a reduction in utility usage anywhere from 15% to 50% within the first two months. The ongoing conservation typically fluctuates but since you are recovering 85%+ of your utility expenses it doesn't effect your bottom line.

You can find just the meters for about $75 with meter couplers. You could install them yourself or get a plumber to do it for about $100. You would need to read them yourself monthly and either create your own bills or use a submetering company to do the billing.

Had this one the other night at 10:30pm. There's a cockroach in our apartment. I literally told them to call the cops if they were scared and to clean up there place! I think I was justified (and a good rental market)...

I have two cats and have lived in 3 of my apartments as I rehabbed them. One of the cats pees inside (long story) but it does ruin carpet, there really is no way to get it out. If you have hard surfaces it's not as bad. Anyway not to scare you from renting to someone with cats...

I do rent all my places to people with pets (cats and dogs). I take a non-refundable deposit to cover the extra wear and tear. I would also suggest you have enough of a deposit to cover completely replacing the carpet/flooring if needed. I have never had a problem with a tenant cat peeing (just my own).

It depends on the property. I have a 9-unit building that is read remotely so it cost about $450 per unit installed. I also have a duplex where I read my own meters, there the meters installed were about $175 each. The company handles all of the billing and collections, I just get a check each month.

Just to note I work for the company also.

They make different kinds of meters that measure the usage of heaters and then the use that measurement to allocate the gas bill to each tenant. It's not a "true" gas meter but it works.

You could look at allocating the gas costs if it's allowed in your area.

I tell everyone they should submeter!