Best possible way to charge tenants for utilities?

[PATRICK NAJARRO]

Hello there, my name is patrick. I recently purchased two properties at the same time. Started to get rent money, but noticed that utilities for both properties were coming in pretty high. I'm currently paying for all utilities, averaging between 335-400 depending on the month. I was thinking about increasing rent, i am based out of Santa Ana, California. I know this year has statewide rent control. So, should i increase the rent and charge additional for utilities? Have a fixed rate per month? Because of rent control i can't increase rent by a lot to come out even. Please help, happy to hear all suggestions . Brand new to being a landlord. 

[Joe Homs]

@PATRICK NAJARRO the first thing you need to review is your current contract.  Did you inherit that from the previous owner (you will need to honor that) or did you create it yourself?  Unfortunately you will also need to honor that one as well, unless you are on month to month?  Rent increases in California are 5% plus cost of living around 3%.  That's not your big issue.  It's your contracts.  Look there first to see if you can even include that in a new contract with a rent increase.

Good investing...