Multi-family properties and Utility Bills

[Cody Jensen]

Once you get your tenants movie in (All units have separate meters), do the tenants have to sign up with the gas company, utility power company and water company so they get bills in their own name sent to their unit? or would you as the property owner get 4 separate bills, then deliver them to the tenants to pay each month? I would assume same goes for the sewage tax/bill too. 

How would you set it up so each unit gets their own bill?

[Jerry W.]

Yes they need to put the utilities in their name.  That way they pay a deposit with the utility company to make sure the utilities are paid.  Some utility companies have programs to let landlords have agreements that if the utilities are going to be shut off they will revert back to the landlords name and they send the landlord the bill after that date.  This is very nice in cold climates so you don't end up with frozen pipes and other damage.  There is usually a form on their website to do this.