As a property owner of a multi-family type of building or complex, simplifying the day to day operation is an important consideration. For those landlords and property owners still using RUBS (Ratio Utilities Billing System), upgrading to smart meters on each unit and using a water utility management service can be instrumental in reducing the monthly workload.
There are several reasons why hiring a water utility management to complete the install of the smart meters and then handling all the accounts is a wise investment. These meters are surprisingly low cost, highly dependable and they have a long duty cycle, making them an investment in the property.
Easy Access of Information
With smart meters and a top utility management service, the landlord has daily reporting on water uses on the property. This is helpful in understanding water use patterns as well as in identifying atypical use. High usage rates can be due to undetected leaks, plumbing system problems or even taps left on in units, which allows the landlord to correct the issue before there is a significant problem.
No Billing and Collection Hassles
Once the water utility management company is in place, they manage all aspects of billing and collection from tenants. This means the landlord does not have to worry about tracking down late payments or answering billing questions, freeing up time and eliminating these types of issues.
Simple Online Payments for Tenants
With secure, password protected logins through the utility management company the tenants can easily pay bills online at their convenience. The top companies accept all major forms of payment including major credit cards and echecks.
Tenants can also access past bills and track their own usage, helping to focus on water conservation and bill reduction.
Enhanced Marketing Potential
Many tenants are looking for submetering on the units and do not want to pay through a RUBS type of system. By having the smart meters and the billing in place, landlords can easily market to this increasing population of tenants.