Utilities for temporary rental

[Caitlin Worrell]

I am currently house hacking. I’m going to be out of town for 4 months this fall and hope to rent my unit furnished. For simplicity’s sake, I am considering rolling the utilities (water, gas, electric, internet/cable) into the rent. Also, the gas bill is spilt on a square footage basis with the upstairs tenant. At the same time, I am worried that “free” utilities will mean the heat is kept at a tropical level or they’ll make a ice rink in the back. Does anyone have strategies to mitigate this? A clause with utilities included up to a cap? Any advice would be appreciated. 

[Caitlin Worrell]

@Nerissa Marbury. We ended up putting a clause in the lease that we covered utilities (solid waste, gas, electricity, water, etc), but if any single bill exceeded $200 it would be charged as additional rent that was due with the next months rent. Our big bills tend to be water (can get up to $180 on higher months) and gas (varies depending on the temperature) in the winter. Thankfully we didn’t have to enforce this clause! Wishing you good luck.