All Forum Posts by: Renee Casey

I am currently using a property management specific VA. We use VA's for our 24/7 emergency maintenance line. Tenants can always talk to someone about their maintenance needs. Then, we are using a full time VA who answers our phones and fields calls to the correct staff members. It has been working well for over a year now.

I am so sorry to hear this! I hope everyone is okay. I had two homes we manage catch fire last winter. Call you insurance company. Do the tenants have renters insurance to cover the damage to their belongings? In my situation we moved the tenants into another vacant property while the fire damaged property was being repaired. Thankfully neither of them were a total loss. Best of luck to you! 

I have 3 to 4 bedroom homes with a 40 gal tank and we don't have any issues. It's RARE for a property to have a 50 gal tank.

We take video walk throughs of all of our properties prior to move-in and then when a tenant moves out. Then, there is no question of the condition the property was rented in. We also provide all tenants with a 15 page move out packet on how to get a 100% deposit refund. The packet lines out everything the tenant needs to do. This has been extremely helpful since it's implementation. Avoiding situations where the tenant fills the holes but doesn't touch up the paint. 

Does your lease have a per bedroom occupancy limit? That is a lot of people in a 1 bedroom. A 50 gal hot water tank is a SUFFICIENT tank! I don't think you are being unreasonable by not wanting to replace the tank. Normal tank is 40 gal for the properties we manage. 

@Tracey was correct in saying the power company does not install separate meters. The power company will come after the electricians have been there to install the meters.  That is something an electrician will have to do. Pricing is different depending on the market. ($1000-$2000? )I would get a couple estimates from your local electricians.  In my experience tenants tend to take advance of utilities being included in the rent amount resulting in over usage. Some water depts. will not give repair credits (ex:toilet running). I just had a client pay over a $5000 water bill for a 64 unit apartment complex. We just took over management and there was multiple toilets running. When the tenants don't pay the bill they don't says anything. That is just one example of many. GIVE THOSE UTILITIES back to tenants. :) 

Getting the utilities metered separately will be an upfront expense but will save you in the long run.