Should renters pay for water and electric.

[Rudy Nieves]

Good afternoon. im new to investing and was just wondering if it was better to charge a fixed price on rent that includes water and electric or should the renters get a water and electric bill every month. Thank you. 

[Theresa Harris]

Have them pay it if they can.  If it has to go through you, still get them to pay. If you include it in the rent, some people tend to not to think about how much they use and the bills will be higher than normal.  Check with the providers what happens if the tenants don't pay. For water, it is likely tied to the house, so you'd be on the hook for it.  In that case, I'd keep it in your name, but state that the tenant must reimburse you for it within X days of receiving the bill from you as one of the terms of the lease.