Plumbers 911 - Additional Plumbing Services - Sub Metering
25 Feb

What is sub-metering? How landlords can cut costs and be fair to tenants

Sub-metering offers landlords a way to fairly bill tenants for the precise amount of water or gas used. 

Sub-meters are utility-grade meters installed between the master utility meter and individual units. They precisely measure the amount of gas or water each unit uses, so tenants can be billed directly. Once installed, billing is no longer the landlord’s responsibility, as a quality sub-meter will provide reliable readings for years with little to no maintenance required. Wireless technology eliminates the need for manual meter readings.

Discover the many benefits of sub-meters:

 

Sub-metering controls costs and encourages efficiency

Utilities are notorious for killing a landlord’s bottom line. Landlords spend thousands of dollars per year on energy costs, which eats up rental income. Billing a tenant for estimated use is a best-guess approach that is unfair to both the tenant and landlord. Sub-metering accurately measures each tenant’s utility use and is the fairest approach to dividing up utility usage among multi-family units.

Sub-metering is also good for the earth. When tenants are billed for the exact amount of utilities used, they tend to use less. Residents who receive individual utility bills typically drop their own usage by 35 percent, according to numerous studies.

 

Sub-metering improves property value

If you want to increase your rental unit’s property value, install a sub-meter. A rental unit’s property value is based on the net operating income of a property and the market cap rate. Sub-metering increases net operating income by making utility cost a tenant’s responsibility. It reduces landlord cost, substantially increases operating income and improves the value of a rental property over time.

 

Is sub-metering worth its life-cycle cost?

There is an upfront cost to Install a sub-meter. However, this cost should be looked at as an investment that pays back dividends over time. The cost of installation will vary depending on the building size and the extensiveness of the sub-meters. The return on investment will increase the longer you own a property. When you decide to sell the property, it will be worth more because the question of utility billing is already handled for the next landlord.

 

What units can be sub-metered?

Sub-metering is ideal for natural gas and water. It can be used for any multi-family dwelling, including:

  • Apartments
  • Mobile home parks
  • Condominiums
  • Student housing
  • Townhouse communities

 

Need to install a sub-meter? Call Plumbers 911!

If you need to install a sub-meter on your rental units, call Plumbers 911. We are a referral network of licensed and bonded plumbing contractors who install sub-meters in both new and existing rental units. Our contractors employ plumbers who are highly trained in sub-meter installation to ensure it is installed correctly and will not create water damage. 

All of our Licensed Plumbers are highly trained and fully vetted. They are drug tested, insured and bonded. Call Plumbers 911 for a trusted Licensed Plumber today!

 

To all our friends and customers regarding COVID-19

We will get through this together To say we are living in “unprecedented” challenging times would be an understatement. We hope this finds you and your family safe and healthy. We would like to list a few pieces of information and websites that we think will be helpful for you during this time.

  • To get the most current information on the COVID-19 virus, please check the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) website at: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html
  • icon showing hand under faucet with large water droplets falling on hand Please wash your hands frequently. Washing with soap and water for twenty seconds is the preferred method, however when water is not available, please use an alcohol based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • icon of person covering mouth while coughing and a border separating from displeased person close by Practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from another person.
  • For those of you with children that are looking for something fun to do, there are virtual field trips you can take with your kids that are fun and educational. Here is a link: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner

Plumbers are considered essential workers during this time and we will continue to work as our number one priority is to “protect the health of the nation.” Stay well, stay safe and we will get through this together.

Your Friends at Plumbers 911

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