2-4 units water charge in San Diego

[Wai Chan]

I found the water bill is getting more and more expensive....For example one of the triplex I am paying about US 500 every two months ( 8 occupants, no landscape). Another triplex I am paying US 750 (16 occupants, no landscape) ... Does it sound about right?

All long time tenants and rent is below market rate...How do you guys charge tenants on water? Do you charge them based on occupants per units? I am thinking to put a small water meter to each unit water line so I can know how much they use every month and charge them accordingly. Any thought about it?

[Seth Borman]

Your first place to start is by changing out the shower heads and toilets to low flow versions, adding aerators to the sink faucets and locking the outdoor hose bibs to prevent car washing.

I don't know what water rates are in San Diego, but those numbers are much higher than I would underwrite for here in Los Angeles, and they are as much as five times what the stabilized water use is.