The Vitality Blog
Insights on utility billing and energy management for operators who run their own numbers.
41 articles
Utility Billing 101: RUBS vs. Submetering — Which Billing Method Is Right for Your Property?
RUBS and submetering are the two most common ways to bill utilities in multifamily properties. Here's the honest comparison — costs, accuracy, regulations, and which one works for your portfolio.
Utility Billing 101: Regulations — What They Are, Why They Exist, and Whether You're Affected
Utility billing regulations are changing faster than most property managers realize. Here's a plain-English guide to what's being regulated, why it's happening, and how to know if your properties are affected.
Utility Billing 101: What Is Utility Billing and Why Should Property Managers Care?
Utility billing is the single biggest line item most property managers never fully understand. Here's what it is, how it works, and why getting it right changes everything.
How Utility Billing Increases Property Income Without Raising Rent
There's revenue hiding in your utility costs that most operators ignore. Every dollar recovered flows directly to NOI — no lease changes, no resident pushback.
What Is Utility Expense Management (UEM)?
Utility expense management covers the full lifecycle of utility costs — from invoice receipt to resident billing to reconciliation. Most operators only do half of it.
Billing as a Service vs. Billing Software: Which Model Fits Your Operation?
Full-service billing companies charge $3-8 per unit for something you could do yourself. Here's the honest comparison between outsourced billing services and DIY billing software — and why the gap is closing fast.
The Regulatory Shift: New Protections for Manufactured Home Communities
Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Dakota are passing new laws to protect manufactured home residents — from fee disclosures to rent caps to mandatory water metering. Here's what operators need to know.
Why Operators Are Leaving Full-Service Billing Companies
Full-service billing companies built an empire on the myth that utility billing is too hard to do yourself. Operators are finally calling the bluff — and keeping the change.
The Regulatory Shift: Submetering and RUBS Under Fire
Ohio wants PUCO oversight of submetering companies. Seattle is pushing to ban RUBS entirely. Virginia just passed new transparency rules. The way operators bill utilities is changing — fast.