Talking To Tenants About Water Meter Installation

by | May 18, 2017 | Business

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In large apartment complexes, trailer parks or even in small multi-family dwellings with two or more tenants, many facilities use one meter or the entire property and divide the bill equally.

For many tenants, this creates a very real concern. Both very high and very low water users pay the same as the average water user, which causes problems. The low water user feels unjustly billed and may be very critical of the high volume water user. The high water user, on the other hand, is certainly not paying a fair share of the overall bill.

The simple answer to this problem is individual water meter installation for each unit. There will be some tenants that are very welcoming of this new option while others, typically the high volume water users, are more likely to be resistant.

Meter Myths

Most property owners or managers will have more issues with tenants not wanting to have a “smart meter” installed. Unfortunately, misinformation and misunderstandings with these units have led to people not trusting what they will and will not record and transmit.

To maximize your ability to track and analyze water use across or within your property or properties, the smart water meter installation is the best option. Each unit will transmit information on the amount of water through that meter. They also transmit an identifier code that allows the data management system to process the information.

Tenants may need to be reassured that their address, personal information, billing information or other information is not transmitted through the water meter. Additionally, there is no radiation or “signal” that is harmful. In fact, it is far less in radio frequency emissions that a cell phone or a baby monitor.

Water and Money Savings

Tenants can also benefit from having individual water meter installation on their unit in several additional ways. These meters can quickly detect atypical or unusual water usage levels, helping to reduce the risk of extreme water bills from undetected leaks.

With the detailed information provided on the bill, it is also easier for a tenant to learn how to successfully reduce their water usage. This information can include understanding when they use the most water and modifying these activities to help in reducing their monthly bill.

Once tenants understand the advantages of these meters and are made aware of the facts of the safety and effectiveness, they like the idea of an installation. As a manager or owner, this can also be a selling point for future rentals and it is something that many prospective tenants require to move in.

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