Water Billing in Rental Apartments: Getting Meter Readings Right
Few things frustrate tenants faster than a utility bill they cannot understand. A simple routine removes most of the friction.
Read on a fixed schedule
Read every meter around the same date each month. Irregular dates make consumption look uneven and invite questions.
Take a photo every time
A dated photo of the meter settles most disputes in seconds. Store it with the reading.
Check against the last reading
A current reading lower than the previous one, or a sudden large jump, is usually a typing error or a leak. Catch it before the bill goes out.
Show the working
A good bill shows the previous reading, the current reading, the consumption and the rate. Tenants rarely argue with arithmetic they can see.
Bill promptly
Bills sent within days of reading feel fair. Bills sent weeks later feel like surprises.
Oxflare lets caretakers capture readings and photos on a phone and bills the tenant automatically. See Utilities & Meters.
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