This article/example is an apples to oranges comparison in data sample usage ;)However, I do like your topic of choice.

A small drop from the tank to the bowl every 30 seconds is barely detectible but can double water usage, in my experience.

Hope nothing happens, and that when he does your deposit refund he doesn't ding you in appropriately.

I believe this is a PA thing, not just Phila; but Phila has their own natural gas (ripoff rates BTW) and water, and those are the two that are billed base on usage (and hence tenants can run up the bills).

This should be covered in the due diligence period, which you should extend for a MHP, if the base contract is a standard RE contract (usually).Verifications can often be found with utility records, if they calim a tenant was in the unit in July, the electrical usage should indicate someone living there.You can also ask for bank statements of the business, many balk again, some open the books.

When you have this all opened up...it's a good time to think about future usage.

If not you can increase your noi by making the tenants responsible for their own usage.

In Seattle, what would the landlord say "I'm sorry, but since I am not allowed to raise rent to compensate for the extra utility usage I have to deny your request."

Nevertheless there are rough surface options you can choose from (usually used in bathrooms only).Quartz is usually sturdy, but yes excess heat can damage the finish, some sauces can stain it, I've also experienced cracks after 3/4 years of usage. 

(I don’t know why they don’t text/email/call when the answer is 20-40 or even 60 days of non-stop water usage.