For sure PG&E requires this for gas and electric, and I think most jurisdictions require it for water and sewer as well. 

I can’t say I came up with the idea, I saw a landlord with more units than I have post that they offered the holiday discount, bug only to their tenants who had made all their rent payments on time and in full over the course of the year.

Quote from @Deandre Brown: When analyzing deals, a few additional factors I like to consider are whether the electric and gas utilities are charged per unit or as a single expense.

Can you replace furnace, stove, etc with all electric and save 300 to 400 a month there? 

Regarding the electrical issue - we always attempt to troubleshoot with the resident prior to dispatching a vendor. 

Electrical and plumbing all updated within the last 4 years.

I would expect however to have bug fixes and maintenance for the system.

Quote from @Gary Aragon: Quote from @Rick Albert: Our electricity is already separate and we designed our ADU to be all electric so no gas. 

Water and electric?

During your initial walkthrough, inspect the property for any major issues such as structural damage, roofing problems, plumbing, and electrical concerns, while documenting all cosmetic and functional issues with detailed photos and notes.Once you confirm the property’s potential, finalize your ARV and calculate the repair costs using either a reliable estimator or insights from contractors.