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Should You Include Utilities in Your Monthly Rent Price?

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If you are a current landlord, or if you have a property and are looking into being a landlord, you may come across the question of whether it makes sense to include utilities in your monthly rent price. There are many different pros and cons to including utilities within the monthly price that you charge your tenants, and ultimately, it depends on your own personal preference. If you are in the midst of deciding what works best for you, check out some of the pros and cons that we have listed out below to help you think through:

Pros of including utilities within the monthly rent:

  • If your unit that you are renting out is not separate from the other units, then it may make sense to include utilities within the monthly rent. By separating, it may become difficult to figure out which units are using more utilities than others and may create some backlash from tenants.
  • Sending out individual utility bills may become a hassle for you to do each month. By including utilities within the rent, you are simply charging one lump sum, which is easier to keep track of.
  • You can potentially make a bit more money through your monthly rent price if you are charging more for the service of having utilities included within.
  • If utilities are included within the monthly rent, you are not charging a “per person fee” which is a great perk for larger families who move into your unit.

Cons of including utilities within the monthly rent:

  • Ultimately, if you require tenants to handle utilities on their own, it will make it easier for you to simply handle the rent each month and let utilities solely be in the tenants names.
  • If tenants know that utilities are included, you may notice that your utility expenses will increase as they will not be as careful with electricity, heat, water, etc. knowing that they are paying a standard price each month.
  • It has been said that tenants who are able to get all utilities in their own name can be more responsible, reliable tenants to have.
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How to Prepare for Moving Day with Kids and Pets

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Moving out of your home is a big step, not only for you, but for your children and pets, as well! It is important to realize that everyone handles change differently, and, depending on the age of your children and pets, some may take it better than others. If you are getting ready to move and are not sure how to handle the process with your kids and pets – we have got you covered! Check out some of our tips on how to help your kids and pets cope with the moving process, and how to get best prepared.

For the kids:

  • Be as upfront and honest as possible. Make sure you let them know why you are moving, and exactly where you will be moving to. Keep your conversations uplifting and encourage them to get excited about the move. The earlier you approach the topic, the more time they will have to digest it and ask the questions that they need to!
  • Get them involved in the process. While you are in the process of packing everything up, get your kids involved so they feel special and valued. Allow them to help with the house hunting and help them pack belongings. You could even make a day out of helping them choose what color to paint their new room, and how they should decorate it!
  • Explore the new area with them. Before the move-in day, explore the new area you will be living in with them so that they know what to expect. Showcase the positive aspects of the new area, including any fun playgrounds or parks as well as any activities they can get involved in.

For the pets:

  • Make a trip to the vet as soon as possible. Head straight to your vet to ensure that you have all of the latest paperwork related to your pet’s health. This is also a good time to discuss with your vet whether your dog may need any medications to cope with the change, or air travel if they will be spending time on an airplane. The earlier you make the vet appointment, the more seamless the transition will be when they transfer over to their new vet.
  • Get a sitter for move-in day. Move-in day is chaotic, and your pet will already feel uncomfortable being in a new environment. Make it easier on yourself and them and hire a sitter or drop them off at a responsible daycare for the day to keep them out of the craziness.
  • Get their toys and belongings ready. When your pet enters their new home, make it as comfortable for them as possible with their toys and belongings already laid out for them. This will offer them a sense of familiarity and will make the transition easier for them!

 

 

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Importance of a Landlord Background Check

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As a tenant, it is often that you may feel as if it is a one-way street when it comes to the process of renting out a property. The tenant is required to fill out paperwork and applications showcasing their credit history, current job and overall background. What many tenants forget throughout the process is that they are entitled to learning about their landlord’s background, as well! Renting out property is in fact a two-way street, and it is important that you feel as comfortable with your landlord as they do with you as their tenant. While you cannot legally give a landlord an application to fill out, you can learn more about their history as a landlord and what their background is. Here are some ways you can check out a landlord’s background before making the decision to sign the lease:

How long have you been a landlord? It is important to know the duration of time that this person has been a landlord, and how experienced they are. By asking this, you will know exactly how much experience they have as a landlord and can feel more comfortable moving forward with them.

How long did previous tenants stay? Once you get ahold of their experience being a landlord, it is nice to know how long tenants generally stay. Did they stay for the entire duration of their lease, or did they end it early due to negative circumstances? If tenants generally stay for their entire lease, you can assure yourself that the landlord is most likely easy to work with.

Who handles the maintenance? When something breaks, you want to know exactly how soon it can get fixed, and, most importantly, who will be fixing it! Figure out how maintenance works with your landlord so that you can be prepared for any damages or malfunctions that may pop up throughout your lease.

While these questions strictly relating to leasing are important, it is also good to ask neighbors and other people within the neighborhood about the landlord. Do they have a good reputation? Do they have a criminal record, or have they ever filed bankruptcy? These are all great things to keep in mind before you commit to a lease!