Has utility billing become an afterthought in your manufactured housing community? With rising utility costs, regulatory scrutiny and aging infrastructure, energy management needs to be a priority. Labor-intensive meter reads, billing inaccuracies, undetected leaks and complex regulations all add up to a waste of time and money.
The good news: integrated submetering solutions help operators solve these issues. By upgrading from manual workflows to automated, fully integrated billing systems, manufactured housing communities can save time, reduce risk and improve profitability.
Key takeaways
- Eliminating manual billing: Many manufactured housing communities still rely on manual meter readings and spreadsheets to track their utility costs
- Updated infrastructure: Modern metering systems with real-time monitoring and leak detection alert operators to issues early
- Integrated submeters: Breeze Premier integrates with submeter systems like NextCentury and Metron to get fast, accurate readings
- Convergent billing: Combining utility charges with rent on monthly statements can improve collection rates and boost utility cost recovery
- Compliance and support: Yardi’s legal review process ensures billing methods comply with local regulations
Challenges in utility billing for MH communities
Manual meter readings & billing errors
A major challenge in utility billing comes from manual meter readings. Staff must physically walk properties, record usage and enter that data into spreadsheets or billing systems. One incorrect digit or skipped reading can cause a resident to be over- or undercharged, resulting in disputes, rework and loss of trust.
Leak detection & water waste
Leaks are especially costly in MH communities. Water lines run underground, and problems can go unnoticed for weeks — especially in vacant homes. Communities typically find out only after receiving a high master bill.
Comparing aggregate submeter totals with the utility company’s bill helps, but without real-time data, leaks can slip through the cracks. This is where automated metering comes in handy. In fact, potential leaks are often flagged before residents are even aware.
Early detection can save thousands of gallons of water and prevent costly infrastructure damage.
Regulatory compliance & billing rules
Utility billing is governed by complex state and local laws, and MH communities often fall under unique provisions. These rules determine what utilities can be billed, how fees are disclosed and whether certain billing methods (such as RUBS) are allowed.
Noncompliance can result in fines or disputes with residents. For example, some jurisdictions allow water submetering but prohibit additional administrative charges. Other regions exclude MH communities from new regulations altogether.
Bottom line: know the rules for each community and keep leases aligned with established billing practices.
Billing delays & administrative burden
Utility billing involves multiple steps (e.g., collecting usage data, applying rate structures, generating statements). Without automation, these steps often involve separate tools and manual entry.
A heavy administrative load slows down billing cycles and takes time away from higher-value operational tasks. Someone on your staff will be burdened with handling calls from residents who are disputing bills.
How technology is solving these challenges
Automated submetering
Automated submetering is one of the most impactful upgrades an MH community can make. Breeze Premier integrates with hardware from vendors like Metron and NextCentury. These systems collect and transmit data using cellular networks, bypassing the need for the central wiring closets found in multifamily buildings.
With automated collections, accurate usage data flows directly into the billing platform. Gone are the days of clipboards, spreadsheets and door-to-door verifications.
You also get a massive boost to safety. The system flags abnormal readings and can trigger leak alerts. It’s an easy way to cut back on water waste and protect your infrastructure.
What if you’re still relying on manual data collection?
This is common in manufactured housing, and Yardi has a simple solution. For communities still relying on manual reads, Yardi provides a mobile app to streamline the process. Staff can input readings, take photos for validation and sync readings directly to the billing system. This reduces paperwork and data entry errors during the transition to full automation.
Convergent billing for higher cost recovery
Convergent billing combines rent and utility charges into a single monthly statement. This approach improves resident payment compliance and can raise utility cost recovery by as much as 20%. Residents see one itemized bill, making it easier to pay everything at once.
Breeze Premier posts charges to the same ledger used for rent, ensuring seamless accounting and minimizing overlooked utility fees. The software also supports vacant unit cost recovery and allows managers to adjust billing logic based on local rules or property-specific setups.
Yardi’s utility billing team actively monitors client recovery rates and can identify opportunities to increase revenue. For instance, it might suggest legal ways to reallocate irrigation or common area charges.
Legal review ensures compliance
Yardi conducts a legal review of every property enrolled in utility billing. This includes confirming which utilities can be billed, what administrative fees are allowed and how billing must be presented to residents. The process is handled by paralegals with input from in-house attorneys where needed.
This review happens during implementation and is updated as local regulations change. If new rules affect your billing program, Yardi will provide jurisdiction-specific guidance and proactive alerts tailored to your property.
This standard service offering significantly reduces legal risk and ensures residents are correctly billed.
Is it time to upgrade your utility management system?
Upgrading to an integrated utility billing system reduces administrative burden, increases accuracy and improves cost recovery. Manual processes are replaced with automation, and real-time monitoring helps catch leaks and other issues early. Staff have more time, residents have clearer bills and everyone benefits from faster, more accurate billing.
With infrastructure aging and regulations evolving, many MH communities are at a crossroads. The truth is that automation is already industry standard in multifamily and commercial property management. It’s only a matter of time before manufactured housing operators who don’t adapt will be left behind.
Simply put, there’s never been a better time to invest in an energy management system.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a full-service manufactured housing software?
Yes. Yardi Breeze Premier offers a single system for property management, billing and reporting. Coupled with our integrated utility billing and invoice processing solutions, resident data updates automatically — no dual entry required. Reports combine rent and utility data for a full financial picture, and changes update in real time.
What energy-related support services does Breeze Premier provide?
- Dedicated call center: Residents can call directly with utility billing questions. This reduces pressure on property staff and ensures accurate, consistent answers.
- Meter data team: Yardi’s specialists validate usage data, identify anomalies and ensure every read makes sense before bills go out.
- Field services: Yardi-employed technicians maintain, repair and replace submetering hardware. If necessary, they can also provide upgrade guidance and cost-effective hardware solutions.
How does submetering improve billing?
Submetering tracks each home’s utility usage directly. Automated systems improve accuracy and enable faster leak detection.
What is convergent billing?
It means the property operator has combined rent and utilities on one monthly statement. This boosts utility cost recovery and simplifies payment.
Why is compliance important in utility billing?
Improper billing risks legal penalties. Yardi’s legal review ensures billing methods align with local rules and lease terms.
How does Breeze Premier help with energy management?
Breeze Premier is an all-in-one solution for MH operators. Adding Yardi Utility Billing and Yardi Invoice Processing solutions automates utility billing, integrates with submeters, ensures compliance and provides dedicated support for residents and hardware.
Is RUBS used in MH communities?
Rarely. Submetering is preferred in MH communities because it charges residents based on actual usage. RUBS (Ratio Utility Billing System) allocates utility costs based on unit size, occupancy or other formulas rather than actual usage. Breeze Premier supports RUBS where needed, but usage-based billing is the best practice in manufactured housing communities.
Most MH communities already have submeters or can install them easily. Submetering is preferred because it charges residents based on real usage, which is fairer and often more compliant with local laws.
What changes after switching to automated billing?
Less manual work, faster billing cycles, fewer disputes and higher utility cost recovery.
