Owning and managing rental properties in Philadelphia can be highly rewarding, but it comes with its own unique set of challenges. One of the most frequently overlooked headaches for landlords? Managing the water bill.

Have you ever received a water bill from the city that was based on "estimated" readings and thought nothing of it? Ignoring those estimations can lead to massive, unexpected expenses. Watch our breakdown below, or read on to learn how to spot the warning signs on your water bill.

What Are "Estimated" Readings?

Instead of taking an actual reading from your property's water meter every single month, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) will occasionally estimate your water usage based on past months.

This usually happens due to technical issues, such as the batteries dying on your water meter's transmitter or a signal failure on the city's end. When you look at the bottom right corner of your Philadelphia water bill, you will see a Usage History graph.

  • Dark Blue Lines: Represent actual meter readings.
  • Light Blue Lines: Represent estimated meter readings.

The Danger of Ignoring Estimated Bills

If you let months of "estimated readings" go by unchecked, you are setting yourself up for a financial nightmare.

Here is what happens: While the city is estimating your bill (often at a lower rate), your tenants might be using significantly more water due to a running toilet, a dripping faucet, or just heavier usage. Once the city finally gets an actual reading months later, they will instantly hit you with a "catch-up" bill for the difference. We have seen single-family property landlords get hit with surprise water bills for thousands of dollars that they were entirely unprepared for!

How to Protect Yourself

To proactively address this issue and avoid nasty surprises, you must follow these two steps:

  1. Monitor the Graph: Check the usage history graph on your bill every single month. Do not put it on auto-pay and forget about it.
  2. Contact PWD Promptly: If you notice two or more consecutive months of "light blue" estimated readings, immediately contact the Philadelphia Water Department. You can proactively schedule an actual meter reading or have them service the meter's battery, ensuring you are being billed accurately in real-time.

Tired of auditing utility bills and dealing with city departments? Contact TrustArt Realty today and let our professional management team handle the day-to-day operations and utility monitoring for you!