logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
5m 11s

Sub Metering to Control Apartment Expens...

Victor Menasce
About this episode

On today’s show we are talking about how to gain additional control over the expenses in your commercial buildings. Some buildings were designed with a single electric meter and a single water meter. 

This makes it difficult for a landlord to recoup the costs associated with these variable expenses. Some buildings use a RUBS method. RUBS is an acronym  which stands for Ratio Utility Billing System.

Instead of each unit having its own meter to measure individual consumption, the total cost of the utility for the entire property is divided among the tenants based on a predetermined formula.  

The problem with all of these methods is that the tenant is left wondering if they are paying more than their fair share of the utilities. If the landlord is watering the grass, then they wonder if the tenant is paying for excessive watering rather than their own direct utilization. It ends up being an irritant to tenants who never fully trust the monthly billing as being accurate. 

The other approach is to sub-meter. The building owner still gets a single bill for water, and for electricity. But by sub metering, the actual usage for each unit can be determined. 

-----------

**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:**
 Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)  
 iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)  
 Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)  
 LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)  
 YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)  
 Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)  
 Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  
**Y Street Capital:**
 Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)  
 Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)  
 Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Up next
Yesterday
Changing Landlord Rules
<p>We have become accustomed to hearing about legislative changes that advance tenant rights and make it more and more difficult for property owners to protect their properties and indeed run a profitable business. There is nothing that compels investors to make losing investment ... Show More
5m 18s
Nov 24
Unreasonably Short Construction Schedule
<p>On today’s show we are looking at the compressibility of construction schedules. We often hear that projects will take longer and there are all kinds of reasons why they legitimately need to take longer. </p><p>It’s a large site and the site work will take a long time. The uti ... Show More
6m 16s
Nov 24
Estate Planning with Allison Kierman
<p>Allison Kierman is based in Scottsdale Arizona where she specializes in estate planning for business owners and high net worth families. On today&#39;s show we are talking about some of the pitfalls that can occur when this sometimes painful topic is ignored. </p><p>To connect ... Show More
9m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2020
Rent Freeze #3: Don't Spend It
<p>Rent Freeze #3: Don't Spend It</p> <p>This month residents of Berlin should experience the biggest collective rent reduction in history. About 340,000 residents - one in six - may be eligible for a rent cut under the Mietendeckel, Berlin's radical new housing policy. But landl ... Show More
41 m
Oct 7
"What UAE Property Buyers & Renters Want Most in 2025"
<p>Craig and Mario talk about 30 million property searches reveal what buyers and renters truly want across the UAE. From balconies and maid’s rooms to private pools and pet-friendly spaces, new priorities are shaping Dubai’s property market. Plus, developers are tightening off-p ... Show More
15m 59s
Feb 2024
An idea of a Airbnb for car charging
Do you have an EV and suffer from range anxiety or perhaps you're toying with getting a battery powered car but worry about the lack of charging infrastructure which will leave you stranded with no power? Or you live in an apartment and can't charge your car overnight. There’s no ... Show More
6m 28s
Sep 19
Making Cents Out of Watts: What’s Driving Up Your Energy Bills? | Climate One
This is an episode of a podcast we think you'll love, Climate One. A third of Americans say that they've skipped food, medicine, or something else to be able to afford their energy bills. Much of the increase in the cost of electricity is driven by rising demand from artificial i ... Show More
56m 51s
Nov 4
“Dubai Studio Apartments: Where Smart Money Is Moving Now”
<p>Craig and Mario talk about investing in smaller units like studios and one-bedroom apartments. From International City’s affordability to Business Bay’s luxury price tags — we unpack where the best value lies and why planning your purchase matters more than ever.</p> <p>► Reco ... Show More
15m 6s
Nov 1
"Dubai Property Boom: The Luxury Surge vs. The Affordable Shift"
<p>Craig, Mario and Lillian talk about Dubai Property Boom, the Luxury Surge vs. The Affordable Shift and Dubai Rent Prices Drop. Dubai’s property market has smashed records in 2025 — over 165,000+ deals this year alone. Affordable areas like Bur Dubai and DAMAC Hills 2 are givin ... Show More
16m 7s
Nov 8
“Move to Dubai or Keep the UK Home? The Property Dilemma Explained”
<p>Craig and Mario talk about Claire, who is in her 50s, owns a home in Sunderland, and just inherited enough to buy in Dubai. With her daughter in London and dreams of a UAE lifestyle — should she sell, rent, or hold both properties? We weigh up the emotional and financial stake ... Show More
15m 59s
Oct 18
“Buying Off-Plan in Dubai with a Mortgage? What You Need to Know”
<p>Lillian, Mario and Craig talk about buying off-plan with a mortgage. Financing is only available for select developers, and banks require 50% of the property to be paid, not just complete. They also breakdown Dubai Hills for a spotlight on his community and more news for the w ... Show More
15m 33s
Apr 2025
ARE MORTGAGES THE BEST WAY TO BUY DUBAI REAL ESTATE IN 2025? | DUBAI REAL ESTATE PODCAST
Mortgages in Dubai can feel overwhelming—especially with shifting regulations, residency questions, and bank requirements that seem to change overnight. But Amit Nainnani, Director of Sales at Lion Mortgage, is back on the show to simplify it all. After his last episode became on ... Show More
30m 46s
Oct 2023
Tax Cheat Codes | Straight Real Estate | EP. 14
<p>Unlike our normal show, Straight Real Estate is 100% about well... real estate. In this value-packed episode learn all about saving money on your taxes. As a real estate investor, you have a major tax liability to take care of and it&#39;s important to have all your ducks in a ... Show More
9m 13s