Many multi-family types of residential buildings, complexes, and parks have moved from shared water bills to individual submetering. This allows the tenant or the person living on the lot to be billed for the amount of water consumed and not have to pay a percentage of the bill for the entire complex or building.
For many landlords and building or property owners, the individual, automated meter reading is a marketing point in bringing in new tenants as well as retaining existing tenants. Once people enjoy the ability to monitor their own water use and have a direct impact on their monthly bill, it is much less likely they will want to return to a shared water billing system.
Online Billing and Payment
Through the use of smart meters, the automated meter reading is safe, secure and simple. Once the meter is installed, it will transmit a signal on a pre-selected schedule that includes an identifying code for the meter as well as the actual reading.
This information is then up to the minutes as to the reporting schedule. This allows for very precise billing on a monthly basis. Additionally, the bills can be sent via email, ensuring there are never bills lost in the mail or incorrectly delivered.
Tenants can also set up a secure online username and password to go into the service offering the automated meter reading and pay their bill online. The best companies will provide a range of bill payment methods including major credit cards or eCheck options, making it simple and convenient.
It is also important to consider the ability to track atypical or unusual water usage. This can be instrumental in determining if taps have been left on in vacant units or if there is some type of leak or damage to the pipes that are yet undetected.