Can a landlord include utilities in the rent?

If the meters are shared, you’ll have to pay the utilities yourself. In that case, you can split the utility bills evenly and bill the tenants for them. Or, you can simply include the utilities with the rent. One problem with this scenario is when a high utility bill lands in your lap. Whose fault was it? Who was taking the 15-minute showers?

When to put utility bill in tenants name?

Utility usage is much higher in summer and winter months, when air conditioning and heat are blasting. Set your utility ceilings appropriately. If you manage a multifamily property and each unit has its own meter, your tenants can each put the utility bill in their own name and pay the utility company directly.

Do you have to pay utilities if you default on rent?

Even if the tenant defaults on the rent, you need to keep paying the utility bills. Forget about cutting off the utilities as a tactic to force them to pay up; it’s considered a “self-help eviction” and is illegal in every U.S. state.

Do you have to pay utilities for multifamily property?

If you manage a multifamily property and each unit has its own meter, your tenants can each put the utility bill in their own name and pay the utility company directly. If the meters are shared, you’ll have to pay the utilities yourself. In that case, you can split the utility bills evenly and bill the tenants for them.

Do you have to include utilities in rent?

If you include utilities in the rent, the utilities would be in your name rather than the tenant’s. Although including utilities will technically raise the overall cost of rent, it shouldn’t be too different pricewise for the tenant.

Who is responsible for utilities in an apartment?

Landlord vs. Tenant: Who Is Responsible for Utilities? Type of Utility Landlord vs. Tenant Water and Sewer Landlord Gas Tenant Electricity Tenant Trash Landlord

Can a landlord put utilities in the tenants name?

Tenants put the utilities in their name and are responsible for payments directly. Many times landlords will use a combination of methods, especially with utility services such as sewage and garbage pickup, or if there is a utility that you can’t easily put in a tenants name. Each of these options has its own set of pros and cons.

Do you invoice your tenants for utilities each month?

Invoice your tenants for the utility bill each month so it perfectly matches how much they use. There are pros and cons to each, but we recommend the first option (including utilities in the rent price). That way, you won’t need to collect additional money on top of rent, which is more difficult for you and your tenants.