Utility Billing and Cost Recovery Insights
The New Standard for Property Management Fees (Explained Simply)
Property management fees are getting more attention than ever. Not because fees are new, but because renters, regulators, and owners are demanding clarity around how those fees are charged. Over the past year, complaints about confusing or unexpected charges have increased across the rental housing industry. In response, regulators are signaling that the old “buried in the fine print” approach no longer works. This is what the new standard looks like, explained simply. 👉 Download the full 2026 Utility Outlook to see how your markets are trending
What Rising Utility Rates Mean for 2026 Budgets
Utility costs have always been part of operating budgets, but heading into 2026, they deserve more attention than they typically get. Across the U.S., cities and utilities are no longer relying on one-off adjustments or reactive rate changes. Instead, many have adopted planned, multi-year rate increases tied to infrastructure reinvestment, inflation indexing, and long-term capital needs. Livable’s 2026 Utility Outlook highlights what this shift means for property owners as they finalize budgets and why utilities may play a bigger role in 2026 financial performance than expected. 👉 Download the full 2026 Utility Outlook to see how your markets are trending
The Cities Seeing the Biggest Utility Rate Increases in 2026
Many cities across the U.S. will see big increases in water and sewer costs in 2026. If you manage multifamily properties, these changes can impact your budget in a major way. Some cities will only see small jumps, but others have already approved large increases—some of the biggest in the country. Here’s what to expect and how you can prepare.
Rising 2026 Utility Costs: What Property Owners Should Do Now
Utility costs are going up in almost every city. Water and sewer bills are rising year after year, and many places already have increases planned for 2026. For property managers and rental owners, this means one thing: your expenses will grow unless you have a plan. The good news? You can stay ahead and protect your profit with a few simple steps.
The Easiest Way to Offer Internet at Your Property
Offering Internet as a community amenity is one of the fastest ways to add value for residents and simplify life for your team. With Livable’s Community Internet Billing , you can provide bulk-rate Internet services without managing individual accounts, payments, or service changes. Livable works directly with your Internet provider to make setup, billing, and resident management simple from start to finish.
How to Do Utility Billing in AppFolio (the Easy Way)
Property managers rely on AppFolio every day to simplify accounting, rent collection, and communication with residents. It’s an all-in-one platform designed to make property management easier. But when it comes to utility billing, many managers still end up juggling spreadsheets, absorbing costs, or spending hours trying to make the numbers work. The good news? There’s an easier way. With Livable’s self-service integration, you can handle utility billing directly inside your AppFolio workflow —no extra software, no complicated add-ons.
Simplify Utility Billing and Boost ROI with Livable
Property managers and independent rental owners face a common challenge: utility billing. It’s time-consuming, complex, and often leads to lost profits. Whether you’re not billing at all, struggling with outdated software, or frustrated with providers who don’t prioritize your needs, Livable offers a modern solution that simplifies billing, maximizes net operating income (NOI), and promotes sustainability.
Boost Your Property ROI with Smart Utility Billing Solutions
Maximize Your Profit with Smarter Utility Management In today’s multifamily housing market, rising utility costs are a silent threat to property ROI. Water, electricity, and gas expenses can erode cash flow, reducing the returns that landlords and property managers rely on. Livable’s Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) offers a powerful solution, enabling you to recover utility costs , streamline operations, and boost ROI. With a tech-driven platform integrated with tools like AppFolio, Livable empowers AAOA members to turn utility management into a profit driver. This article explores how RUBS can enhance your property’s financial performance and why Livable is the ideal partner.
How Utility Trends & Legislation Are Reshaping Rental Property Management
Making Sense of a Changing Utilities Landscape
How Extreme Weather is Reshaping Property Management
Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe, affecting communities worldwide. Property owners and managers are increasingly forced to adapt to unpredictable conditions, from heatwaves and hurricanes to prolonged droughts and heavy storms. As climate change accelerates, its impact on the housing industry and utility management is undeniable. Understanding these shifts and implementing resilience strategies is essential for maintaining sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective property management practices. In this article, we explore how changing weather patterns affect property operations and what can be done to prepare for an uncertain future.
AI: A Double-Edged Sword for housing providers Facing Rising Energy Costs
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized countless industries, but its impact on energy consumption and costs is a complex issue. For housing providers, AI presents both opportunities and challenges as they grapple with rising energy bills. The Energy-Hungry Beast: AI's Power Consumption One of the most...
RUBS Can Help You Find Savings... in the Trash!
Most apartment communities aren’t seeing the potential savings right in their own backyard. One of the ways apartment housing providers choose to manage their utility costs is through a Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS). RUBS is a system that allows housing providers to share costs with residents by allocating billing amounts based on unit occupancy, square footage, or a similar metric. By dividing the cost between owner and residents, housing providers can increase their net operating income and encourage saving resources.