Meter or Flat Rate Billing for Water

I have a building with 8 one bedroom apartments occupied by young couples. At the moment I am paying $8,000 a year in flat rate billing by NYC DEP. There are no washing machines in the building, and the plumbing is new. Should I be on metered billing, or am I just as well off paying the flat rate? Thanks for your input. Shamrock

Shamrock

in About Brooklyn 10 years ago

10

Please log in, in order to post replies!

10 replies

davfgreene | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5131 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5118 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "34806"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "davfgreene"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BBmFzfYyx97HL.7TI1fi1kmmc5ctB0."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "davfgreene"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "davidrozan@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(52) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/davfgreene/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:49:17"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "davfgreene"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(34806)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Go meter. The only reason you might end up paying more than $1,000 a year for a one-bedroom with no W/D is if there is a very, very serious issue that needs to be addressed right away. I would also suggest switching out your shower heads to a really good low-flow model, by which I mean one where the user is unaware that it’s low flow (Niagra brand shower heads are good for this purpose, but I’m sure you can find other well reviewed models). You’ll also end up saving on gas/oil to boot.

landlord | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5130 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5129 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "10735"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "landlord"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(63) "$wp$2y$10$HWVF4ewRyZwIeW0dItojgObyHBeuAKsaTS3rnL4Vw0Y.WMd.bHTHG"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "landlord"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(19) "pharmd718@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/landlord/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-05-23 19:07:23"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "landlord"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(10735)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You are paying too much. I have six 1 bedroom apartments and I average $1100 per quarter. You water bill on the meter should be 5500-6500 yearly.

PeterSteinberg | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5125 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5132 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3355"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "PeterSteinberg"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BKNzPZvXmunadEmIP.uWkC/Rpmpm041"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "petersteinberg"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "petersteinberg@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(56) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/petersteinberg/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:37:11"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "PeterSteinberg"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3355)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You’d likely save a fortune with meters. My family of four (two toddlers) with a dishwasher and w/d as well as an extensive roof deck and planters that get watered regularly spends under $1,500 a year. I don’t see your 8 to 16 tenants with no w/d spending more than $4,000\. At most.

crat | 9 years and 11 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5131 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5133 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "35573"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(4) "crat"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BxoWwOxa7SOuPrlUvu.HBKvF9yAMRB."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(4) "crat"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "claiborne.ray@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(26) "/forums/users/boerumbiddy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:49:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "aBdNzLe1xEmUEI0cSmTD"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(4) "crat"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(35573)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Our small coop also provides the water for a neighboring community garden. When we went to metered billing, our water bill went down!

resident2 | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5130 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5134 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181002"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BYKCrEpDU34.3RJghRPk8/Xp1XpCve/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "Jamanda1255@Yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:33"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181002)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Landlords of apartment buildings have had this option: meter or frontage. But the frontage rates have been going up at a much faster rate than the meter rates to obviously encourage metering. It also catches up when a building is sold, because 9.5 times out of 10 a buyers lawyer does not know the options and insists on the seller getting a meter. It is cheaper to get a meter installed if you are not under the pressure of a closing schedule.

boredatwork | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5125 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5135 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "2719"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "boredatwork"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BiaWeactc21lMA9OeuKVxu36Aie4Iz/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(17) "bored-at-work-2-2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "nyc372@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(55) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/bored-at-work/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-17 21:39:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "bored at work"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(2719)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Per DEP: _Larger residential properties may be enrolled in the Multi-family Conservation Program (MCP). The MCP is based on a flat, per unit, annual charge, and is designed to encourage conservation while still allowing participants to remain on a flat rate._ Most owners switched to meters a while ago, but your property may benefit from the MCP program.

shahnandersen

in About Brooklyn 10 years ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#138835 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5145 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(1) "6"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "shahnandersen"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(31) "brownstoner@brownstoner.com.old"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "brownstoner.com/renovation1"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2006-09-08 20:12:54"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(6)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I had no idea anyone still had a choice. I thought the switchover to meters was mandatory.

resident2 | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#138837 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#138838 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181002"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BYKCrEpDU34.3RJghRPk8/Xp1XpCve/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "Jamanda1255@Yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:33"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181002)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Yes, you will be better off with a meter so long as your tenancy stays pretty much the same and that you make sure that they let you know of any leaks: dripping faucets, running toilets etc. Garden tenants running the hose all summer etc can ruin your whole budget. But generally you are better off with a meter.

bedstuyreno | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#138836 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#138839 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180648"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "bedstuyreno"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BLPX/K0nYfMbhZHudsdksxbr7paWYh."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "bedstuyreno"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "kvharper@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:06:34"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "bedstuyreno"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180648)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["editor"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(6) "editor"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(121) {
    ["copy_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["email_multiple_users"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["email_single_user"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["email_user_groups"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["email_users_notify"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_1"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_2"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_3"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_4"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_5"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_6"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_7"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_categories"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_links"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["moderate_comments"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_pages"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_posts"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["unfiltered_html"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["upload_files"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_source"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_feed_source"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_source"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_feed_sources"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_source_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_source_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_source_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["assign_feed_source_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_item"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_feed_item"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_item"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_feed_items"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_item_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_item_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_item_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["assign_feed_item_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_blacklist"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_feed_blacklist"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_blacklist"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_feed_blacklists"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_blacklist_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_blacklist_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_blacklist_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["assign_feed_blacklist_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_template"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_feed_template"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_template"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_others_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["publish_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["read_private_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_private_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_published_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_others_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_private_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_published_feed_templates"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["manage_feed_template_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["edit_feed_template_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["delete_feed_template_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["assign_feed_template_terms"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_analysis"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_general_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_advanced_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_schema_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["aioseo_page_social_settings"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_site_analysis"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_analysis"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_general"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_snippet"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_social"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["rank_math_onpage_advanced"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["editor"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I agree. I have 4 units and I pay about $1800 per year- including two washing machines and watering the grass every day in the summer.

Arkady | 10 years ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#138838 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#138835 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "14677"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSLpIhH1FLNbV2Qdpb/F67tu7brrgw1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(20) "rkdillon@verizon.net"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/arkady/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-08-04 21:50:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "HL9P1Plx6tnm1l8GiJvd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Arkady"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(14677)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Judging by what I pay on a meter for 2 apartments both w/ w/d & d/w, I’d say you’re better off w/ meters – I work out that w/ 8 apt.s I’d still pay about half what you are.