Cleveland, OH Utilities

[David De La Torre]

Hello Fellow Investors!

I plan on renting out my investment property in Cleveland, Ohio as a long term rental. I would like the system set up where the tenant pays for the utilities. After speaking with someone who is familiar with this market, I learned that you could have the tenant pay all the utilities except the water, the landlord would have pay for that. 

I wanted to know if this is something that is required all throughout Ohio or if this varies by city or property management company. All information and advice would be greatly appreciated! 

How have you set up your system? 

[Ken Livingston]

I have a rental in Columbus that is run through a PM company. The water is billed to me and then the cost is passed on to the tenant. 

[Drew Sygit]

@David De La Torre it is common for electric and gas to be turned off when a tenant moves in, forcing them to turn it on in their name. 

OR requiring proof from them that they've put them in their name to get the keys for MoveIn.

Water can be a challenge as some cities keep it in the owner's name only. In that case, the water bill comes to the landlord, who may pay it, and then is billed to the tenant. If the tenant doesn't pay though, the landlord's only solution may be to start eviction.

[Joshua Janus]

Quote from @David De La Torre:

Hello Fellow Investors!

I plan on renting out my investment property in Cleveland, Ohio as a long term rental. I would like the system set up where the tenant pays for the utilities. After speaking with someone who is familiar with this market, I learned that you could have the tenant pay all the utilities except the water, the landlord would have pay for that. 

I wanted to know if this is something that is required all throughout Ohio or if this varies by city or property management company. All information and advice would be greatly appreciated! 

How have you set up your system? 

 Hey so it's

water/sewer - put in owners name and you can back bill the tenants.

electric / gas - this can go right into the tenants name.

trash - this is included in the taxes

[Bob Stevens]

Quote from @David De La Torre:

Hello Fellow Investors!

I plan on renting out my investment property in Cleveland, Ohio as a long term rental. I would like the system set up where the tenant pays for the utilities. After speaking with someone who is familiar with this market, I learned that you could have the tenant pay all the utilities except the water, the landlord would have pay for that. 

I wanted to know if this is something that is required all throughout Ohio or if this varies by city or property management company. All information and advice would be greatly appreciated! 

How have you set up your system? 

 INCORRECT, tenants pay all, UNLESS it's a MF, then owner pays, I have extensive experience there happy to help you will any questions you may have 

[Gladimir Lobo]

Hey there, the tenant can be responsible for all utilities in a single-family home. The water bill can be transferred to the tenant's name. Water charges are lienable and will remain with the property if the tenant fails to pay.

[Jack Krusinski]

Hi David! Is this home a MF or SF? If SF, I have my tenats pay for water and sewer. If MF, yes you will have to pay for water and sewer! 

[David Leggett]

Great info on here!  Yes this is common to have the tenant's put the gas and electric in their names and to have them give you the account numbers before the move in.  Also, I've seen several property management companies in the area do a $75+ water / sewer surcharge per month, depending on how many people are living at the property, it can go up $25 or so. 

Here's an article I found with some good info on this topic

https://propertymanagementoh.com/how-to-handle-utilities-on-...

[Paula Reavlin]

I have a triplex in Shaker Heights that has two units sharing the electric meter - i want to split it and am being told it is not possible in CLeveland.  I also want to split the water meters. The sewer bill is high and wondering if that can be split as well.  

[Joshua Janus]

Quote from @Paula Reavlin:

I have a triplex in Shaker Heights that has two units sharing the electric meter - i want to split it and am being told it is not possible in CLeveland.  I also want to split the water meters. The sewer bill is high and wondering if that can be split as well.  

 In order to split the electric you would need to rezone the home to a 3-family and Shaker is probably the toughest place to get that done in Cleveland. I would leave it as is and charge a flat utility fee on the lease.