My suggestion would be to cap your utilities at a certain amount and have Tenants pay anything over that amount.That will help you manage your expenses, and also allow Tenants to gage their usage each month, and make adjustments if they don't want to go over the allotted amount.As far as collection, provide the bill showing any overages and just have them pay for it along with their rent. 

I currently self-manage three properties in the Atlanta metro area and have learned a ton through trial and error over the years.

Any realtors / property managers / contractors / wholesalers please connect with me!

The next one was also a corporate cash buyer and after our second call, the acquisition manager confessed to me that he just got the job and asked me if I could train him on how to evaluate a deal!!!

For owner managed properties like this we see expense ratios in the 35%+ range. 

A major part of the success or failure of an STR investment is the design, furnishing and management plan.

As the project manager, I learned a tremendous amount throughout the process.

Are you aiming to build a significant portfolio over time, or do you plan to keep it more manageable with just a couple of rentals?

@Joe Frank I’m a huge fan of Turbo Tenant to market properties, manage leads, screen tenants and lease up.

She is moving out and next management company sent me a questionnaire and one asked "Did they have any animals on your property?