Blog Post

Payment and Management of Utilities

CITY OF WALLA WALLA & COLLEGE PLACE

The City of Walla Walla and The City of College Place will not put the utility bill into the tenant’s name. In these cases, we sign a form with you that we send to these utilities directing them to send the bills to our office.


These bills are paid out of your property reserves and the amount is added to the tenant’s ledger for collection and reimbursement back to you.

CASCADE GAS / PACIFIC POWER

Cascade Gas and Pacific Power both allow a tenant to put the utility into their name and pay the bill directly each month. We have you sign a form that is sent to each of these companies notifying them that we are managing the property and directs them to not shut the utility off for non-payment. This is important over the winter months to ensure there is heat to the premises. If the bill is taken out of the tenant’s name for non-payment, it is sent to our office for further action.

COLUMBIA REA

Columbia REA allows a tenant to put this utility into their name and pay it directly. Columbia REA does not have a landlord form so you will need to notify them we are managing the property to ensure that any bills are sent to our office during periods of vacancy and/or if service may be shut off for non-payment.

BASIN DISPOSAL, INC.

BDI will allow a tenant to put this utility into their name and pay it directly. This is the only utility that is cancelled during periods of vacancy.

COMMUNICATION & BILLS

For new rentals or if the utility was transferred back into the owners name, bills will be sent to the owner. There are also occasions where a utility company does not honor the forms sent in to them. For this reason, it is important that if owners receive a bill or notification from any utility company that it is forward it on to our team for further action.

Property Management Tool Kit
May 26, 2023
Established in 2005 Windermere Property Management exclusively manages properties with the focus of preserving and enhancing the value of investment properties. We provide professional management for single family, multi-family and commercial units. Our full service management allows owners to focus on other aspects of their investment portfolio, while ensuring that their properties are well-managed and profitable. EXPERIENCED TEAM Our staff includes four licensed real estate brokers with 30 years combined experience. You also have access to our in-house maintenance company that employs a handyman, landscaper, residential and commercial cleaners as well as on-call staff for after-hours emergencies. SERVICES FOR OWNERS ❱ Marketing: WPM markets your rental online and distributes to our pool of pre-qualified applicants. Each property receives a “for rent” sign in the yard and a 3D virtual tour. ❱ Tenant screening: We professionally screen applicants, negotiate lease terms, collect deposit/rent/fees, sign lease/addenda and complete move-in walkthrough with tenant. ❱ Rent collection: We collect rent and any applicable fees from tenants on behalf of the property owner and ensures that rent is paid on time. ❱ Maintenance and repairs: We have an in-house maintenance team to handle service and repairs for rental properties or we coordinate with contractors to ensure that the property is well-maintained. ❱ Property inspections: We complete the move out walkthrough, coordinate any work such as cleaning and repairs. Additionally, we conduct annual interior inspections on each property. ❱ Lease management: Throughout the lease of your property, we handle lease agreements, including renewals and terminations as well as handle tenant inquiries/concerns on your behalf. ❱ Financial reporting: Owners have 24/7 online access to copies of monthly cash flow statements, paid invoices, copies of leases, and other important documents. Owners also have the ability to make an owner contribution via their portals.
May 26, 2023
PRIOR TO RENTAL YARD SHOULD
May 26, 2023
GETTING READY TO RENT
May 26, 2023
By Applicant submitting a signed Application they acknowledge and agree to the following:
May 26, 2023
It’s important that your property be well maintained not only to increase the value and maintain your investment but to set the bar for care by future tenants.
May 26, 2023
Pet ownership statistics show ownership levels have reached new highs during the past couple of years. The American Pet Products Association found that 70% of households own a pet, a significant increase from 1988 when 56% of households owned a pet. Additionally, there are approximately 500,000 service animals in the us and nearly 200,000 emotional support animals, up from merely 2,400 in 2014. Pet ownership and the use of service and support animals continues to rise through the US. A trend we see here in our local community as well.
May 26, 2023
We will choose the first approved applicant, based upon our tenant screening policies. The unit is taken off the market when the approved applicant has signed the pre-lease holding agreement and the lease agreement, as well as paid the holding deposit. If the applicant decides not to rent the unit, they waive the holding deposit which is then paid out to the owner as income. If the applicant moves in as agreed upon, the holding deposit is transferred and becomes part of the applicant's refundable security deposit. WPM will assure completion of a signed move in condition form, documenting the condition of the home at time of move in. This form is required in the State of Washington if you deduct any repairs, yardwork or cleaning from the tenant's refundable security deposit upon move out. WPM retains a copy of the signed move in condition form.
May 26, 2023
Windermere Property Management has a comprehensive approach to marketing your property, to provide the best exposure to the most qualified potential tenants. This process starts by helping you prepare your property so it makes a good first impression, attracting good tenants, reducing time on the market, and obtaining the best rental price.
May 26, 2023
You have access to our in-house maintenance company that employs handymen, landscapers, residential cleaners as well as on-call staff for after-hours emergencies or we can coordinating with outside vendors to ensure that the property is well-maintained.
By Nicki Simcock April 21, 2023
WPM requires all tenants to carry liability insurance
By Nicki Simcock April 21, 2023
THE LAW
By Nicki Simcock April 21, 2023
Understanding Your Monthly Statements
By Nicki Simcock April 21, 2023
BREAK LEASE OBLIGATIONS
Share by: