Separate meter in each home

India
May 26, 2012 4:28am CST
I have six houses that are given on rent at nominal charges; the rents include electricity and water charges. After the recent hike of electrical and water charges, I asked my son to check each home; it was found that they used 100 watt incandescent filament bulbs in rooms, they were kept burning day and night, the fans, exhaust fans were kept running; two were using electric heaters of 2500 watt, almost all used washing machines and TV, electric irons for ironing clothes; none used air conditioners. The water taps were left open, so water flew to the drains; the 4X 5000 litters water tanks on the roof needed filling 3 times a day. Thus 80% of the rents they paid went in paying electricity and water charges. I called all the renters, discussed about this, advised them to use compact CFL lights; switch off the lights, water taps when not in use and told I am fixing separate electric meters, water meters for each house and auto cut switches for each room, if they use electric heaters, it will trip and supply will be cut off. I also told that henceforth you will bear the charges as per meter readings. The consumption by water pump and light at gate will be reflected in the main meter, this I will pay. [b]Now I see this worked, because they have to pay. [/b] Did I do the right thing? Just wonder why people behave like this? [b]Do you have renters or do you live in a rented house? Do your renters behave like this? Please share your views and comment on this.[/b] Thanks in advance. Prof.Dr. B.Saraf. PhD 26th May 2012.
1 person likes this
10 responses
dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 May 12
We actually live in a house that we own and for that reason we do have to pay all of our own utilities. Since we bought the house four years ago, we've used only CFL bulbs in the house and I also try to keep the thermostat kept at a temperature where the temperature is comfortable, but the bill is not too high for the electricity. When it comes to water, we don't use a ton, but that does vary from month to month, that is the cheapest of our utilities.
louievill
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
30 May 12
Yes make them pay for what they consume, in the Philippines we have what you call sub meters, I do not know what the law is there, and neither do I have properties that I rent out, but I have friends who do that and the tenants have sub meters, not so sure how it works but saves them from all the quarrels arising from speculation on who's using what, good luck
tigeraunt
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
27 May 12
hi professor, when i lost my father, he had readied mom's home for the possible income that will be derived from it aside from his pension. he planned it to be rented as mom will not be using the whole house anymore because she will not need a big space. there is separate meter for electricity for each unit. then mom wouldnt need so much time cleaning. she can go anywhere she wanted when she likes without making a problem on where to get money to pay for the electricity bills. i say it is a wise investment my father did. ann
Devilova
@Devilova (5392)
• Indonesia
29 May 12
As the owner, you have the rights to do that. We have 7 rooms to be rented here, and the rent charge is a room plus any electricity stuff. The higher watt consume, the higher they have to pay. So, each room have a different charge depend on their electricity stuff. We split the electric between the main house and the rooms 50%-50%. So, when they use more then quote given, it will shut down automatically. You should do the same thing, did your country already used a pulse in electric? If yes, you have to use it to make you easily to give the quote for each house. Hope you understand with what I'm talking about.
Devilova
@Devilova (5392)
• Indonesia
29 May 12
As the owner, you have the rights to do that. We have 7 rooms to be rented here, and the rent charge is a room plus any electricity stuff. The higher watt consume, the higher they have to pay. So, each room have a different charge depend on their electricity stuff. We split the electric between the main house and the rooms 50%-50%. So, when they use more then quote given, it will shut down automatically. You should do the same thing, did your country already used a pulse in electric? If yes, you have to use it to make you easily to give the quote for each house. Hope you understand with what I'm talking about.
JohnRok1
@JohnRok1 (2051)
•
28 May 12
You definitely did the right thing for yourself, for them (make them a little more responsible) and for the environment. As SimplyD says, if your heart bleeds for them you can reduce the rent, but, frankly, mine doesn't (or if it did, it would be in the sarcastic sense).
lynpreety
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
26 May 12
we rented house for so long, normally we have separate meter in each houses. Like now We are three apartments, I'm the first door. I have my own meter in electric and water. It is more appropriate so the line are fix and nothing to worry about over loading used of appliances.
sid556
@sid556 (30953)
• United States
26 May 12
Hi Professor, Where I live, I pay my own electricity and heat and hotwater is included in my rent. I work and I'm very frugal. If the cost of the heat/water goes up then my rent goes up accordingly. What angers me is that quite a number of the other tenents here are on welfare and their rent does NOT go up when costs goes up. They still get everything (including) electricity for free or close to it. They are the ones that will be opening windows in the winter while cranking their heat, letting their kids play with the hose outside just wasting water and leaving all their lights on etc. They just don't care because it isn't them that is paying for this stuff. If you get separate meters then you should make sure that the electric company bills them all individually. The same goes for the water and heat.
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
26 May 12
In my opinion professor, you were right in giving them separate meters. of course maybe you can trim down a bit of their rent, since they will now be paying their own bills for the electricity and water.
ravisivan
@ravisivan (14082)
• India
26 May 12
Professor Sir: I am happy you have fitted sub meters. Let each one pay what he is using. then there may not be any confusion or no person can say that the money collected is more or less. your idea of fixing sub meters for each house is the right thing.