Paying the bills

[Chase Shank]

The water/sewage/trash collection utilities are all rolled together for my prospective property here in VA. Should this be paid by the tenants or by me?

[Michele Fischer]

Chase, it kind of depends on how it is handled in our local market.  You should be able to get an idea by looking at Craigslist ads in your area.  In our area, normally tenants are responsible for this unless it is an apartment complex.  Sometimes we keep the account in our name.  In that case we may advertise the unit at $650, but then ask them to choose between $650 and their own account or $780 with WSG included on the application.  If you let them transfer the account to their name, check your local utility company to see if unpaid bills can be a lien against your property; that is why we try to keep it in our name.