To include internet in the utilities or not?

[Alek Lowry]

Does it make sense to include internet with the utilities (that I already pay) to possibly rent my units for more money than similar properties?

[Theresa Harris]

No.  What happens if the tenant does something illegal using your internet or if you have extra costs?

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @Theresa Harris:

No.  What happens if the tenant does something illegal using your internet or if you have extra costs?

 Nothing. Nothing happens to you if the tenant uses your internet to do something illegal. End of story. I'm not sure what you mean about "extra costs", buy your internet bill does not ever go up based on something somebody did online.

With that said, no, I would not include internet. It's unlikely they will consider the overall cost when comparing to another property without, and, you're likely stuck being the tech support guy when it doesn't work. And it always doesn't work. Just more things for you to deal with.

[Alex S.]

Probably not

[Theresa Harris]

Originally posted by @Account Closed:

Originally posted by @Theresa Harris:

No.  What happens if the tenant does something illegal using your internet or if you have extra costs?

 Nothing. Nothing happens to you if the tenant uses your internet to do something illegal. End of story. I'm not sure what you mean about "extra costs", buy your internet bill does not ever go up based on something somebody did online.

 Here they have overages if you go over your limit in terms of how much you can download.

[Account Closed]

 Then that should be clearly defined in your lease along with the cost of excess bandwidth. 

Still a bad idea to offer internet though. I'm all for submetering all other utilities, just too much support involved with internet.

[Thomas S.]

Best approach is to not invest in properties that do not have separately metered utilities. Everything in the landlords name has the potential to not be paid by a tenant.

If you are ufortunate to own a property that does not have seearte metters you do not want to add to the problem by adding interweb as well.

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @Thomas S.:

Best approach is to not invest in properties that do not have separately metered utilities.

It's rarely hard to add a submeter to most any utility. 

[Scott P.]

I wouldn't include it (or any utility if I can avoid it).  

I suppose if i was in a market were EVERYBODY included internet, then I'd consider it.