Third Party Utility Billing Companies

[Marissa Carroll]

Hey BP Community! 

I'm trying to get some things sorted out for a first buy and hold property. It's a duplex and I will be living in one unit, so only one will be rented. I plan to have the tenant pay for all utilities. I've read a lot of stories about tenants not paying their water or whatever bill, leaving, and then the utility comes after the landlord. I've been thinking a third party billing agency for water/trash/sewer might provide some protection. 

Does anyone use one of these for a single unit? Thoughts or recommendations? For reference, the duplex is in Kansas City, KS and is seperately metered. I think there is some differences in the way utilities are billed here (Unified Govenrment slaps a big ol fee on top of your bills I'm told), so I don't know if that changes anything. 

Thanks everyone!