Ask the Rental Pro: Utilities included with rent

In the this edition of Ask the Rental Professional, Minot Regional Apartment Manager Justin Hammer offers guidance on what utilities could be included in your rent.

Q: What utilities come included with an IRET Apartment?

This is a great question. Which utilities are included in your rent will vary from apartment complex to apartment complex and often depend upon the building’s amenities. Some apartments have electric heat and some have boiler heat. Some apartments have a wall-unit air conditioner while others have a condenser unit. These differences can often effect what utilities you, as a renter, will be responsible for in addition to your monthly rent.

A good rule of thumb when looking at apartments is to ask what utilities are included with the rent and which utilities are the responsibility of the tenant. Keep in mind that the monthly rent amount may vary depending on what utilities are included or not included. For example Apartment A may have a lower rent amount but the tenant is responsible for the electric payment which controls the heat. Apartment B may have a higher rent amount but the heat is included because the building has boiler heat.

As I mentioned above each apartment complex will have variations in the utilities covered by rent and it is very important to know this before you enter into a lease agreement.

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