Utility Billing and Cost Recovery Insights
Help for the Housing Industry during the Pandemic
In 2020 the push and pull between lockdowns and eased restrictions impacted housing and housing providers. The rental housing industry was hit hard by the economic downturn brought on by shelter-in-place laws .
Covid-19 Pandemic and Renter Habits
During the Corona Virus pandemic, there have been several lockdowns resulting in weeks of remaining sheltered in place. From construction to real estate and property management , many of the vendors that property owners rely on have been put at a standstill time and time again. In turn, renters have been anxious to make a move when there is a window of opportunity offered. Are your units ready to be shown?
Covid-19 Pandemic: The Effects on Utilities From the Beginning
At the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020 Livable along with several utility-based companies did our part to make sure that residents were able to afford their utilities. In April 2020 Livable announced that we were suspending all late fees until July 1, 2020. Throughout the pandemic, we have remained committed to promoting conservation through billing and education , and with no minimums.
Charging For Utilities: A Renter’s Pros And Cons
At Livable we create custom utility management and cost recovery solutions for commercial and residential properties, and it seems our expertise is needed now more than ever! It used the be that the “American Dream” was synonymous with homeownership, however, Millennials don’t seem to be putting the same emphasis on buying property as previous generations, thus renting has become more the norm.
What you need to know for 2020
As we get ready to say goodbye to 2019, it’s only natural to look ahead. In addition to what is sure to be a heated national political season in 2020, there are several statewide measures in California to keep an eye on, including a possible overhaul of Prop. 13 and another proposition that would allow municipalities to extend rent control to most units that are at least 15 years old.
Rent Control Comes to Every Property in California
After ignoring the will of the voters, who just last year decided against loosening statewide restrictions on rent control, California state legislators recently passed a new law that will cap annual rent increases at 5 percent plus inflation .
Fire Season - It only takes a spark
Based in San Francisco the Livable team is no stranger to the dangers of hot weather, including the increased chance of wildfires - it takes a spark to create miles and miles of devastation. Fires strike throughout California each year, especially in the fall months, and can cause catastrophic property loss l ike in the Woolsey fire in Los Angeles or even worse cost lives like the Camp fire in Northern California in 2018.
Confronting Climate Change
At Livable, our livelihood is power and utilities, so, of course, we are big on how conservation and the wise use of our resources can counteract worrisome trends such as climate change. This global phenomenon has already impacted us in California with the now-continuous threat of drought and wildfires and will only get worse if we don’t make energy conservation a priority.
Sunlight and Savings
At Livable we are committed to promoting conservation through billing and education and make sure to keep up to date on all power and utility options.
What Rent Control Really Means
At Livable we help property managers control costs and consumption using our Ratio Utility Billing System , so you can keep costs steady for renters as other monthly costs such as rent go up and down. Book a call with Livable today and learn how you can help tenants save resources and money too.
Supporting Statewide Sustainability
Over the last few years we’ve seen financial incentives have a huge impact on making sustainability appealing and accessible for a wide variety of property owners. For example, there is no doubt that California’s comprehensive tax credits and other incentive programs contributed to the boom in solar power over the last five years or so.
Plant Your Seeds - but there is no need to water them every day
At Livable we help manage your utility and water costs through an analytical system designed to help reduce your environmental footprint as well as generate revenue for your property; keeping in mind weather trends from month to month. In California, the winter is the only time of year when some property owners actually look forward to receiving their water bills. Thanks to the season’s heavy rains, there is no need to water outdoor plants, bringing monthly totals down substantially from the dry summer highs.