Do you rent out your property inclusive of utility charges or bill these separately?

[nmb]

I would be interested to learn whether investors involved in the buy to let market rent out their properties inclusive of charges such as gas, electric, water, etc. Or do you charge these separately/register tenants for the bills directly? The inclusive option would seem the easiest but how do you ensure that you are not out of pocket if the bills are more expensive than you estimated?

 

[lookinginvest]

Perhaps the inclusive option is the best one with an agreement that any excess charges will be covered by the tenants? Is this workable?

 

[nmb]

That sounds like excellent advice because if they don't prepay the meter they don't get any electric, gas, etc. One less thing to worry about!

 

[lookinginvest]

How do you ensure that other bills such as council tax, etc are paid by the tenant(s) and up-to-date? I presume if they left the property with a council tax debt then this would pass to the owner of the property?