To avoid the hassle of meter reading and name changing of electricity+water+internet+phone etc etc (especially since my target market will likely be dominated by students), I want to include utilities in the rent. Even more so since I’ve read that voids can require you to switch all bills over to yourself for just a week, even. This seems silly.
Clearly, to avoid tenants starting their own tropical fruit farm inside the apartment, the utilities should be included up to some value that constitutes fair use. I plan to calculate figures from historical data, as mentioned in prior threads.
Does anyone have a standard text they’ve used to extend the OpenRent contract to this effect?
Alternatively (preferably IMO), is there a text that just allows me to keep the bill(s) in my name, but just passes through the charge to them, provided that I provide reasonable evidence (i.e. the actual utility bills)?
Obviously this is not feasible with the council tax, but I can live with switching one item, just not 6-7.
In the longer term, are there any other measures that can make the process smoother? Smart meters?