national multiple family submetering and allocation billing program ...

Table 4.12 Administrative difficulties reported with separate billing programs
What were some of the admin.
difficulties encountered?* † Submetered RUBS
Hot water
hybrid Total
None 60.3% 44.1% 35.7% 48.8%
Didn't have to convert 16.5% 5.9% 3.6% 9.2%
Difficulty obtaining permits 0.0% 0.0% 3.6% 0.3%
Resistance from government or
regulatory officials
0.8% 0.9% 3.6% 1.1%
Resistance from local water utility 0.0% 0.0% 3.6% 0.3%
Resistance from residents 6.6% 28.2% 39.3% 22.0%
Don't know 10.7% 14.5% 21.4% 13.8%
Other 5.8% 10.5% 14.3% 9.2%
Number N=121 N=220 N=28 N=369
* Percents may add to more than 100% as respondents could give more than one answer.
† Only asked to impact properties
About 30% of properties reported water bill non-payment rates of more than 10%. The
average non-payment rate reported was 6.4%. Residents are most frequently billed monthly for
water (94% of properties), and the large majority (83%) of properties include wastewater service
charges with the residents’ water bill. Many impact properties also include a monthly service
charge on the residents’ water bill; 46% of submetered properties, 26% of RUBS properties, and
61% of hot water hybrid properties.
Most rental impact properties (92%) include language about the residents’ paying for
water in the lease agreement. In many cases (82%), managers indicated that a resident’s security
deposit could be docked for failure to pay the water bill 22 .
Water Fixture Change-out
Managers of properties built before 1995 (when the 1992 EPACT would have been in full
effect) were asked whether they had replaced plumbing fixtures within the dwelling units on
their property since 1995. As shown in Figure 4.12 below, about 10% to 30% of properties
constructed before 1995 had replaced three-quarters or more of the toilets, faucets, showerheads
or washing machines since 1995. The proportions were roughly similar between impact and inrent
properties.
22 It has since been brought to the researchers’ attention that it is illegal in some states for managers to use resident
security deposits for utility bill non-payment.
85