Water while vacant: Strategies

[Michael S.]

Do any of you have a good strategy for minimizing water expenses during vacancy?  Essentially, my goal would be to transition from one tenant to another in about 2 weeks without ever having the water bill in my name.  In my current system I am spending $60 to use ZERO gallons of water and have the bill in my name for 2-3 weeks (water, sewer and trash are on same bill, plus random service fees).  I own these properties long distance and use an honest but inefficient property manager.

In a perfect world I could get the manager to inspect the property and get the place cleaned the very next day after it has been vacated, and maybe the water is still on.  I am certain it could show and rent without water.  The risk is that the cleaner arrives and the water is off, now I am looking at at least another 2 or 3 days of vacancy to reschedule.  At $1400/month rent each day of vacancy costs $46 so maybe playing this game with the water isn't worth it.

It just bugs me to pay $60 for one or two week ZERO gallon water bill.  Maybe I should have the manager bill the tenant for the water as it is part of the cleaning charge and necessary for the cleaning.  Any suggestions?