Most utility billing companies charge per billed unit per month. Many leases let the owner pass that fee to residents as a utility administration fee; some states limit or regulate it.
The check
- From the billing company's invoices, total the fees for the last 12 months.
- From the billing reports, total the admin or service fees charged to residents for the same months.
- If the second is far below the first, check what your leases and state rules allow.
Fixing it
- Add the fee at lease renewal where the lease and local rules allow it.
- Ask the billing company to confirm it is applied to every billed resident.