How to find info on utility prices for apartments? (tenant, rental, house)

[harr111957]

I'm thinking about renting an apartment. I've called a few complexes to get prices, ect. No one can tell me the average cost of the utilities for a specific apartment. For most complexes the tennant is responsible for only electricity. I tried calling the local electric company and was told the apartment management would need to give me that info.

So is this normal behavior, for the apartment management to not know the average cost of utilites?

[Rabrrita]

They may not want to give out generic information because it's very much tenant use specific. Two identical units could have one tenant that basically is stingy with electricity use while the other is an energy hog. Two identical units with radical electrical use swings.

[Eeko156]

Originally Posted by harr111957

I'm thinking about renting an apartment. I've called a few complexes to get prices, ect. No one can tell me the average cost of the utilities for a specific apartment. For most complexes the tennant is responsible for only electricity. I tried calling the local electric company and was told the apartment management would need to give me that info.

So is this normal behavior, for the apartment management to not know the average cost of utilites?

Some of them (like mine) are starting to charge residents for the outdoor electricity (I forget the name they use), like parking lot lights.

I pay two electric charges - one from my own electric bill and the other which is usually a small fee for the other (the outdoor stuff).

So yes, this is normal. Bills will vary greatly by tenant. I would ask if they charge any electric for common ground stuff.

[Steve19605]

Yes normal.

Each tenant is different. Just like with AC. I have some that keep the temp on 80 other will set at 65 degrees.

If LL said the average was lower. Then tenant will come back and change the conversation to say you guaranteed me it would be low.

If LL said it is to high. Then a new tenant may look elsewhere where a LL tells them it is lower.

So they maybe able to make a guess. But it is a guess based on what tenants tell them. And will still will only cause problems if they mention it.

Drive thru the complex. Find some one outside, Ask how they like it and what their electric bill is.

[Kim in FL]

Originally Posted by harr111957

I'm thinking about renting an apartment. I've called a few complexes to get prices, ect. No one can tell me the average cost of the utilities for a specific apartment. For most complexes the tennant is responsible for only electricity. I tried calling the local electric company and was told the apartment management would need to give me that info.

So is this normal behavior, for the apartment management to not know the average cost of utilites?

Your utilities are based on usage... how are they going to know how much electric, water or gas you’re going to use?

The landlord won’t know unless they pay the bill and even then it’s only a guess...again, it’s based on usage.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Look at your current electric bill and see what you KW usage is. Call the new company, ask for their rates and multiple, then add in their fixed charges and you'll get an estimate for possible costs.

I've owned one rental where one tenant used $60 a month and the next used $250 a month. Then I moved into the house and used between $75 and $120 each month.

Your electric is on a meter, you pay for what you use. Just how is a landlord who doesn't know you supposed to guess how much electricity you use?

[leastprime]

~$60 for us.
2+2 condo, well insulated, top floor, corner unit. Retired, 2-70 yo people. All electric. We only use the Cadet heaters when it's really cold for and only for short periods. We throw on a house robe or flannels when we feel cold. We are mostly at home. We have a lot of electronics that on standby. No AC. PugetSoundEnergy.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

You could also post a question in the forum for the city or area it's in and ask people what their bills are like. PG & E here in CA keeps raising rates. Some cities in CA, though, have their own public utility districts and they're cheaper.

[Marissy]

OP, where are you located? I'm in the southeast. I paid around $60 for electricity in the summer, and $90 in the winter.

[anononcty]

Big thing is find the actual servicer or provider of the utilities and get prices based on kilowatt hour or cubic feet of gas. Cable tv and landline are pretty straight forward although high.

The more electric appliances the higher the electric bill. Central AC might reduce the cost of over working window units in an apartment. Also see if the windows are energy efficient. Same for electric baseboard heat compared to radiators or forced hot air.

It comes down to personal use and temperature preferences. The warmer or cooler you can keep it the lower the bill in season.