Utilities?? (by Mark [NJ]) Jul 8, 2013 7:48 AM
Utilities?? (by Kyle [IN]) Jul 8, 2013 8:13 AM
Utilities?? (by S i d [MO]) Jul 8, 2013 9:28 AM
Utilities?? (by BillS [CO]) Jul 8, 2013 10:43 AM
Utilities?? (by Jess [SC]) Jul 8, 2013 11:44 AM
Utilities?? (by WL [CA]) Jul 8, 2013 2:26 PM
Utilities?? (by Robert,Ontario,Can [ON]) Jul 8, 2013 5:02 PM
Utilities?? (by V [OH]) Jul 8, 2013 6:12 PM
Utilities?? (by Mark [NJ]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2013 7:48 AM Message:
State Specific Question About: NEW JERSEY (NJ)
Hi! I'm going to be purchasing my first rental property soon.
My question is what utilities should I pay for if it's a single family home? Water? Sewer?
Also should I charge my tenant for lawn service or do they typically maintain the landscaping?
Thank you very much for any advice! --69.126.xx.xxx |
Utilities?? (by Kyle [IN]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2013 8:13 AM Message:
If you can, get all the utilities in the tenant's name. Do some research to find out if you can be held liable for unpaid charges, if you can find out how to monitor the payments. If the utilities are in the tenant's name and they stop paying, the utility can shut off service. If they are in your name and the tenant stops paying, you have to keep paying. If you include utilities, they are more likely to be wasted, and if you upset the tenant in some way (like asking them to pay their rent) they might take it out on you by running the water all day.
In a SFH, I would have them do the lawn care. Make sure your lease spells out what you do and do not want them to do. "Maintain the lawn" is not enough, you should specify a maximum height or a frequency for mowing, etc.
Good luck! --50.151.xxx.xxx |
Utilities?? (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2013 9:28 AM Message:
Don't pay for any utilities. Skip that property and move on. A lot of Land Lord think "water and sewer are cheap, so I'll pay that." Then the tenant doesn't report a leaky toilet and you end up with a $600 water bill for one month. Yes, sir, ask me how I know.
If you cannot put the utilities in the tenant's names, do not buy the property. Utilities will eat you alive since tenants have zero incentive to conserve and will do 100 dumb things that will come out of your pocket. Don't do it! --108.250.xxx.xxx |
Utilities?? (by BillS [CO]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2013 10:43 AM Message:
I agree with other on utilities. Don't pay anything that they consume or that is billed based on usage. Like others said it will bite you. Around here water and sewer can lien my property but they will also copy me on any bills so I know if it's not paid.
Lawn care/landscape maintenance is always iffy. Tenants will almost never keep it like you want it. They will not likely want to pay others to take care of it. If you are picky about the landscape and want the tenant to keep it to your standards. Sell.
Otherwise like Kyle said make it their responsibility in the lease and you get what you get.
My experience is about 1 in 10 take care of the landscape comparable with the neighborhood. The rest are worse. --75.160.xxx.xxx |
Utilities?? (by Jess [SC]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2013 11:44 AM Message:
The second rental I ever bought was a duplex that had been converted from a SFH. Utilities were not split. I will NEVER do that again. Finally sold it back in March after owning it for 7 years.
Not fun when there's a "small" leak underneath the house that nobody notices until I get a $600 water bill. Ditto the $750 gas bills in the winter and both tenants point their finger at the other one. How about when they have the heat on full blast and the windows open?
Having said that, if you're looking at SFH's it should be completely normal for all utilities to be put in the tenant's name. The utility company may call you just to verify who's on the lease, but no big deal. --74.177.xx.xx |
Utilities?? (by WL [CA]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2013 2:26 PM Message:
Abandon all hope, ye landlords of NY and Joisey! You are sitting ducks for the democratic tax and spend machine! Naturally, the rich LLs of Joisey can pay all the tenant utility bills in exchange for the right to oppress tenants with a roof over their head! In all seriousness, I've heard New Jersey is one of the most anti-LL states out there - California is paradise compared to Joisey - no utility liens on LL's if the bill is in the tenant's name. --72.199.xxx.xxx |
Utilities?? (by Robert,Ontario,Can [ON]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2013 5:02 PM Message:
If tenant is paying directly for the natural gas, hydro electric or water the consumption is considerably less as the utility belongs to the tenant. If the utility belongs to someone else then there is no incentive to conserve. So any utility included then one has to charge three times the cost as consumption is more. --74.220.xxx.xxx |
Utilities?? (by V [OH]) Posted on: Jul 8, 2013 6:12 PM Message:
I would never want to pay for something I have no control of, including water - sec8 is now lowering the utility allowance and within the last year no longer honors the published water allowance effectively discriminating their own clients from metered water rental units. --75.94.xxx.xxx |
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