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Property Owner Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is WaterWatch Corporation?

WaterWatch Corporation is a full service utility submetering and billing company specializing in multi-family residential, commercial, and condominium real estate properties. Founded in 1997, WaterWatch Corporation has been a pioneer in the utility submetering market and successfully has been involved in the installation of thousands of meters throughout the nation. WaterWatch believes in bolstering our customers profit return with a continue outlay in technological advances. Customer service for both the property owner and resident is approached with respect, reliability, and honesty. WaterWatch is currently excepting properties or portfolio of properties with fifty to twenty-five thousand units. Services include: water, sewer, electric, gas, cable, trash, and resident's rent.

Where Is WaterWatch Located?

WaterWatch is based out of Rochester , New York . Our corporate headquarters are located at 67 Warehouse Street Rochester , New York 14608. Branch locations are Orlando, Florida and Richmond, Virginia. Please call 800-256-9826 for more information or click on Contact Us.

What Locations Can WaterWatch Service?

WaterWatch can service communities throughout the nation. Our wireless technology allows us to read meters just about anywhere. If your property requires a meter reader to record monthly meter usage, we have a nationwide network of meter readers. Click on Contact Us to view current territory locations.

What Is Utility Submetering?

Utility submetering is the process of allocating utility costs to individual residents in multi-unit rental properties. Costs are allocated on the basis of actual use as measured by a submeter, which is installed in each unit. Each month the meter is read via a wireless data collection unit, radio read, or manual remote touch pad. Meter data is collected and processes with the current local municipalities rates. Residents receive a monthly invoice via the mail or e-bill with their calculated portion of the utility usage used.

How Does Utility Submetering Work?

Individual meters are installed in each apartment and linked through a special interface. Advanced software allows us to collect and interpret usage information at our home office. WaterWatch bills and collects resident's payments, and reimburses the property owner for the resident's usage. This process is fast and accurate. Learn more...

How Is Utility Submetering Installed?

Each building's construction determines the approach we take to installing a submetering system. In the case of water submetering, the common method of installation is placing a meter on the unit's cold water supply, prior to the hot water tank. In buildings where several waterlines are shared by different units, a hot water allocation system or a Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) may be needed. Meters can be installed by WaterWatch's trained installation team or property owners may choose to install meters themselves.

How Does New Construction Installation Work?

WaterWatch's operation personnel will contact your project manager to collect pertinent data on the new property. After a complete property review, WaterWatch will ship meters to the property construction site. Every meter's radio transmitter will be pre-programmed with the correct unit's location to which it shall be installed. The general contractor's subcontractor will install the meter in the correct unit's location. Several times throughout the construction period, WaterWatch will install the network platform technology needed to read the meters. An inspection will be performed at the end of the construction process to assure all systems are working correctly. Monitoring and billing services are phased with completion of each of the projects building(s) or units. Your property will start collecting utility cost immediately when the first resident occupies a unit. Learn more...

How Does Existing Property Installation Work?

WaterWatch's operation personnel will perform an on-site evaluation to verify the best submetering solution. Before the property installation is perform, all management issues are complete such as: lease addendums, resident installation notices, meter installation locations, installation schedules… WaterWatch's professional staff will arrive on-site with every meter's radio transmitter already pre-programmed with the correct unit's location to which it will be installed. Every unit's meter will be meter install in the agreed upon location and the network platform technology activated. An inspection will be performed at the end of the installation process to assure all systems are working correctly. Monitoring and billing services are phased-in with lease renewal with every new resident. Your property will start collecting utility cost immediately following the installation. Learn more...

Are There Any Laws Governing Utility Submetering?

Generally speaking, most state laws permit controlled utility submetering. Each state can mandate submetering requirements, including rates that can be charged for the service. Submetering does not allow for charging higher rates than those billed by the municipality. Government legislation regarding submetering may change.

What Will the Installation Cost?

Installation costs can vary depending on many variables, i.e. new construction or existing construction, utility in which to submeter, plumbing configuration, and hot water tank location. Existing communities will need an on-site assessment performed by WaterWatch. New Construction can be analyzed by site plan drawings. Installation cost usually run between $180-$250 per unit for retrofit construction and $130-$180 per unit for new construction. Included in this cost are meter, meter installation, submetering technology, submetering technology installation, and all property management training. On RUBS properties there is no capital investment needed. Depending on your community's local municipality's rates, your submetering system R.O.I will be between 10 to 18 months. Keep in mind in the case of water submetering you have both water and sewer rates to pass on to the resident.

What Utilities Can WaterWatch Submeter?

WaterWatch can submeter water/sewer, gas, and electric for both multi-family residential, commercial, and condominium properties. Our billing statements also allow for properties to pass through charges such as: rent, trash, cable TV, association fees, parking fees… Click here to see an example billing statement.

Warranty Information

WaterWatch is distributor for several submetering equipment manufacturers. Each manufacturer stands by their product with warranties that typically run from one year to 15 years. WaterWatch feels a variety of manufacturers are needed to assure a proper implementation of the best submetering system for your property. WaterWatch guarantees a smooth transition from submetering installation to property management reports. Our products are proven and non-proprietary.

What Will Utility Submetering Accomplish?

Energy conservation should be an important part of everyone's lives, submetering results in residents being responsible for their own level of consumption. Government funded studies indicate that submetering reduces property total consumption by as much as twenty-five percent. Once the resident becomes accountable, they will be quick to report leaks; something they are less apt to do as long as the property owner is paying the bill. Submetering utilities allows the property owner to control previously uncontrollable expenses. Therefore, residents’ paying for their own utility usage helps property owners control unexpected rent increases. Utilities are a precious commodity that everyone needs to be aware of, submetering holds everyone accountable for their usage. Submetering is an effective way to recover the majority of a property's utility expenses.

Utility Allocation Billing Methods

WaterWatch calculates your properties bill's based on one of the following utility allocation methods:

How Are The Property Common Areas Charged?

Depending on the property, WaterWatch may or may not pass the common area charges onto the resident. Common area charges may include: pool, clubhouse utilities, property grounds sprinkler system, common laundry faucility, etc.

How Is The Utility Rate Determined?

WaterWatch utility rates are determined by the local municipality. Rates schedules can be passed through to resident however, the property cannot charge more than the local municipality. A property can always charge less if need be . The WaterWatch municipality department is constantly updating local utility rates.

Am I The Only Owner Charging For Utility Costs?

No, there are many properties both multi-family and commercial that submeter and bill there residents for their portion of the submeter utility. Submetering has been successfully implemented in throughout the nation for many years. New construction, water shortages, and rising utility prices have driven this trend.

When Do Residents Receive Their Bill?

Every 30 days your residents will receive a bill via the US Postal Service or optional e-bill for their portion of utilities used. Utility charges are calculated by the local municipality's schedule of rates. Apartment meter readings are usually collected via wireless radio transmitter integrated into the meter. Final move-out bills are read and calculated immediately and mailed to the resident's new forwarding address.

Who Answer Residents Questions On Their Bill?

WaterWatch! Customer service is WaterWatch's top priority. A WaterWatch representative is available 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. eastern time for your residents' convenience. Residents can call 800-256-9826 and speak to a customer representative with all billing problems or utility issues. Online customer account access is available at www.mywaterwatchbill.com

Resident Payment Options?

WaterWatch has several payment options. Mail a check, money order, or cashier's check to the WaterWatch Customer Service address. We also accept payment via telephone, online credit card, online e-bill, ACH payment, pay at property, or residents can pay at the WaterWatch billing office. Individual resident online account access and online payment options are available at www.mywaterwatchbill.com. Visa or MasterCard are accepted.

Can Residence Pay With Credit Card?

Yes, Visa or MasterCard are accepted by calling 800-256-9826 or residents can visit www.mywaterwatchbill.com

Can Residents Bill Be Directly Withdrawn From Their Bank Account?

Yes, automatic clearing house or ACH is available. Please click on the resident pay online icon to view set up processes.

Can I Deduct From The Security Deposit Towards Submeter Bad Debt Collection?

Yes, your property manager may apply the security deposit towards the submetering open balance at the time of vacating.

Utility Submetering Lease Language

In order to charge for utilities, the property's lease must state which utilities are going to be charged to the resident and what method of allocation will be used.

Does WaterWatch Handle Bad Debt Collections

Yes, each month WaterWatch will mail a late notice to each delinquent resident. Also, a phone call or email is place to each tenant by our collections department. Once all efforts have been exhausted, WaterWatch will send the residents information to a collection bureau.

What Do My Property Managers Have To Do?

First, they need to understand utility submetering and the benefits to the property and the resident. Upon leasing, your manager should explain submetering to the potential resident and inform them about the upcoming utility bill. WaterWatch's customer service number or the FAQ's in this website may help with resident questions. Monthly, your manager will be responsible for move-in and move-out information. Depending upon your property, WaterWatch can receive this information in several forms; fax, email, or software integration. Every property is appointed a WaterWatch representative that will stay in contact with your managers throughout each billing cycle. Our non-propriety system allows us to bill services for water, sewer, electric, gas, trash, cable, and rent.

Does WaterWatch Have Access To Legal Advisors With Utility Submetering Regulatory Experience?

Yes, our attorney's and their firm have successfully helped WaterWatch with a victory in New York State, regarding the legalities of ratio utility billing or RUBS for water and sewer. The National Submetering Utility Allocation Association (NSUAA) keeps a data base on regulatory issues across the country which WaterWatch can access.

Can Management Access Monthly Management Reports Online?

Yes, real time monthly management reports are available 24/7on-line with individual password protected access. Monthly, WaterWatch will notify your management via e-mail that the property submetering reports are available on the WaterWatch web site for viewing.

Why WaterWatch?

Founded in 1997, WaterWatch Corporation has been a pioneer in the utility submetering marketplace, with the successful installation of thousands of state-of-the-art submeters throughout the nation. WaterWatch is a full service utility submetering and billing company. Whether it’s new or existing construction, hardwire or wireless, WaterWatch’s non-propriety system allows us to bill for services of water, sewer, electric, gas, trash, cable, and rent. Our proven submetering systems will help your organization control energy costs and increase your community’s cash flow. Specializing in multi-family residential, commercial, industrial, and condominium real estate properties, WaterWatch can tailor a specific submetering solution for your property.

WaterWatch’s Proven Submetering System Benefits: