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Submitted by: Sean Wheller

In light of the impending electricity tariff increase from 14% to 20% and more (depending on regions in South Africa), property owners are rapidly adopting privately owned, secondary, prepaid electricity metering solutions to help curb utility revenue collection risks on rentals.

Both commercial and residential tenants that have to pay higher electricity prices are also looking for solutions to monitor their electricity usage and try and save on usage as electricity bills are starting to increase and will probably continue year after year.

In addition to collection of rent, landlords also have to collect revenues from tenants for utilities consumed. Unlike rental, which is due on a given date, utility collection is problematic in that utility bills are only available to landlords in the month following that in which the utilities were consumed by the tenant.

For the tenants a completely different problem arises; they have no idea how much they are using until the electricity bill arrives, as no monitoring system is in place.

This means landlords must collect money for electricity and water in arrears, and tenants have to pay after the fact, which exposes the landlord to the risk of having to collect required amounts before the bill is due to be paid to the municipality. While tenants, are left without the ability to cut down on usage. In practice, this situation presents a risk to the landlord and uncomfortable bills for tenants. This is where the tenants dispute their billed amounts with the landlord, and the landlord collects electricity bills late.

Both for landlords and for tenants, this situation has never been the best, but since the electricity prices have been somewhat acceptable and not so high, both sides lived with the situation. Now with increases in electricity, bills are getting higher and cash flow tighter. Utilities revenue collection is becoming more of a problem than anyone wants to deal with. This situation can be easily avoided. Tenants can monitor their own usage while landlords can get their electricity bills paid in time all of the time. Making life easier all around.

To solve this problem for landlords and tenants, many residential and commercial landlords have turned to privately owned, secondary, prepaid electricity metering solutions to help that help reduce risk and improve cashflow on both sides.

These meters do not replace the existing municipal meter on a property and are installed inside the dwelling alongside the main distribution board. They serve to implement a system whereby tenants pre-pay the landlord in advance for electricity and so the tenants can monitor their usage and never again receive a surprise bill. With the landlord prepaid the risk of non-payment for electricity by the tenant is eliminated.

Electricity bills can be substantial but are traditionally higher during the winter months when people start using electrical heaters in an effort to stave off the cold. Geysers also start drawing more electricity as they cool down more frequently.

Non-payment by a tenant in these times can mean a substantial loss to landlords, who often rely on rentals for extra income or to cover mortgage payments. Tenants usually get a massive shock in winter when all of the sudden the bills are doubled. This situation creates a cash flow problem for them as well.

The risk associated with late payment or non-payment for electricity is dramatically increased as prices of electricity escalate. This also causes a bigger cash flow problem for tenants. Aware of this, an increasing number of Landlords are opting for the prepaid solution to avoid the associated financial risk of not doing so, and many tenants both residential and commercial are asking landlords to install prepaid meters to monitor their own usage.

While primary prepaid metering solutions are available from municipalities, obtaining a municipal solution is often a long and inefficient process. In majority of cases the municipal route can also be more costly than the price of buying and installing a secondary prepaid meter.

Municipalities are also willing to install only one prepaid meter per ERF, which is a problem for landlords with multiple tenant dwelling units or granny flats and commercial properties. A similar type of problem is also found in sectional title schemes where the building or complex is fitted with a single bulk meter, and resident billing is calculated based on a participation quota.

When compared with the municipal, primary meter option, from the perspective of a landlord, the privately owned, secondary, prepaid solution has a number of advantages. In addition to being easily purchased and installed at a lesser cost, the privately owned nature of the secondary prepaid meter means that the landlord not only remains in control of the utility management on the property, but experiences an improvement in cash flow and elimination of the risk of loss associated with non-payment of electricity.

For the tenants, cash flow improves when they can actually monitor their usage of electricity and never again get surprise electricity bills that eat into budget for other things, or end up in disputes for landlords.

Many tenants have been able to reduce their usage by having a meter in their own premises that shows them, on daily-basis, how much electricity they have remaining.

As electricity prices and other costs increase, the trend towards prepaid solutions seems to be gaining momentum as landlords strive for better management of the traditional risks associated with rentals.

About the Author: Sean Wheller is the founder of

PrePaid Metering

, a

PrePaid Electricity Meters

provider in South Africa, dedicated to create efficiency in metering water and electricity for the benefit of both tenants and landlords.

Source:

isnare.com

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Alternative Housing Options, Built for Comfort

by

benwall

People have different ideals of dream houses, but more often than not, these involve drive paths, electronic garages, walk-in closets, landscaped yards, and lawn gnomes. There s no reason why you should compromise your ideals, but it pays to be realistic when you re moving from drawing board to execution. Sure, investing in real estate property is the best way to go, but the tradeoff is in the hefty price tag attached. You can stretch payments with a twenty to thirty-year mortgage, but paying off a house with twenty percent of your monthly finances leaves little slack for other essentials. There are alternatives to the usual housing standard, and those who scoff at options should consider the possibility of comfortable, feasible living spaces instead.

The Mobile Alternative

RVs are sorely underestimated, thought of as the last-resort for people with pedestrian tastes. It s actually the most feasible housing alternative, since you only need a one-time investment of tens of thousands dollars for your new home. RVs are usually referred to as fifth wheels, and the best ones can accommodate the necessities, luxuries, and then some. You don t really have to worry about your comfort, or at least you ll get used to the limited space in time. You can squeeze a king-size bed in larger RVs, and bus-type trailers offer more floor area for living space. Trailer RVs don t have separate motors, though, and you ll have to invest in a truck powerful enough to pull the load. With all things considered, RVs are still feasible compared to the costs of a mortgaged house.

A Home by the Sea

If you d rather reside where the sun, sea, and surf meet, then you can invest in a houseboat. Your options vary from converted trawlers to fancy yachts, but you ll feel closer to home with a flat-bottomed vessel which substitutes for a mid-sized cottage. Houseboats cost as much as RVs (depending on the variety, of course) if you prefer to lean on the affordable side, but you can spend as much as half a million dollars on a yacht; take everything you have out to sea and on cruising expeditions.

Prebuilt for Practicality and Efficiency

Prebuilt homes may sound so impersonal and mechanical, especially if you consider yours the best place to escape to from the daily grind. You ll reconsider once you commit to a walkthrough of kit home models, though. Sure, the materials used don t involve brick and mortar, but the substitutes are durable enough to withstand your local weather conditions. The building process (more like the assembly) can be handled with minimal supervision, and you can always hire contractors or hired hands to ensure each piece and fastening is a perfect fit. Kit homes comply with local safety standards and zoning laws; the package comes with layman instructions so you ll have a good understanding of the construction process.

Your Options Are aplenty

Models, optional materials, and prefabricated parts are all available at online retailers. Valley Kit Homes, as well as other online sites, specialize in secondary, feasible housing options. You ll have alternatives to standard housing at your disposal, and it all depends on your interests and available resources. If you ve yet to sign up for a housing mortgage, make sure you consider alternatives before you commit to twenty years of monthly payments. If you already have a home and you ve decided you need a clean break, then you can always put it up for sale and start anew.

View website

for prefab granny flats Australia and choose the affordable alternative for your home expansion. Renovate your home with feasible materials and construction.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com

byadmin

Don’t be surprised if you notice the family man next door sporting a brand-new tattoo. The colorful body art has gone mainstream, and it is becoming very common for professionals like Da Vinci Tattoo to provide Stylish Tattoo Designs for many segments of the population. Everybody from new fathers to grannies are using the art to express feelings, mark events, show loyalty and more.

Body Art Showcases IndividualityFor decades, artists had created Stylish Tattoo Designs when clients wanted to make personal statements. Today’s customers frequently have the same thing in mind when they have symbols or photos of the things they love permanently inked onto their bodies. They may create unique designs or work with craftsmen, who bring their visions to life. Clients often use the art to reflect deep feelings about their goals and experiences. In addition, a lot of body art is very beautiful and is worn primarily as a decoration. This is especially true of the many flower and artwork designs.

Tattoos Act as Life MarkersMany clients request tattoos that mark major life milestones. They may choose the dates that they were married, or children were born. Many have photos copied onto their bodies. Some who recover from accidents or near-fatal illnesses mark the happy occasions with a celebratory tattoo. The faithful often wear tattooed crosses or other symbols that mark their commitment to life paths. Many also use body art as memorials to people and pets that they have lost.

Artists Can Provide Other ServicesShops that offer tattoo art may also sell body jewelry. Their staff may include expert piercers who can apply a jewelry wherever clients want to wear it. Tattoo specialists often create and sell wall art as well. They may offer clients custom framable prints in an array unique designs and colors. Their art is done using high-quality pigments and paper. Shops may also offer a range of hoodies, t-shirts, and artistic apparel.

Tattoos are going mainstream as more people see them as a way to make personal statements, commemorate events, or demonstrate loyalty. The public is also becoming more comfortable with tattoo shops because they often provide body jewelry and other art.

Australian Home Builders face Turmoil

by

Kevin Jeffersons

The construction of houses was the work of many Australians. People bought homes for their families because of these builders humble. Affordable, durable, tightly designed, cozy and the buildings were. Home builders, themselves, are also satisfied because they are covered by insurance. With insurance, builders are confident that whatever incidents may occur, he can seek medical attention and have the means to acquire such medical attention.

But home builders in Australia can not find the industry to be always profitable. There are times when they do not receive the kind of protection they need. Today it is happening. Home Builders now find it hard to get insurance companies to cover them. Recently, insurance companies have withdrawn believe that the company is not profitable enough. If this continues, what will become of the home builders? And he seems to have a ripple effect. What would be the effect on the rest of Australians who want to get their dream homes? Problems in each sector are inevitable. They are present in nature. This particular situation of the Australian home builders may be a natural occurrence. But it seems that it is not something that should be undone. Home Builders rely on insurance to cover them for all events that may occur when you are at work. The building is so dangerous job and home builders definitely need insurance. Here begins the problem. Home builders need protection against accidents. That is why they turn to insurance companies to buy premium. However, this year, a number of insurance companies have withdrawn their investments, since you can not find much more profitable. A home builder has 38 ongoing projects in Karratha. However, they can not get insurance to other insurance companies. When these builders are not insured, they can not work on their projects. And if that happens, many people will suffer. On the other hand, the families of these builders will experience financial difficulties. Since there are no housing projects, the income of the family will be lessened. In fact, everyone has to adjust. Secondly, Australians who want to build their homes in search of finding it difficult to home builders. And since the housing decline in hardware revenue will also drop. Demand for construction materials will also follow. Ultimately, this will affect the national economy. What can government do to help home builders in Australia? He has the power to withdraw the mandatory life insurance is insurance needed by the home builders. This means that even if they don’t have insurance, they can still pursue their projects. Another thing that can be done is for the government to persuade insurers to take on the home builders. After all, these Australian home builders can afford to pay their premiums. If this problem is not taken care of, the effects will surely be widespread.

Display Houses provides a wide choice of

house designs

made by the leading and emerging

homes builders

in Australia.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com

The Job of a Mold Remediator

by

George Everest

When you return from a business trip over seas to find your basement has flooded, and quite nicely by the look of it, and has been growing black mold for the past week – the mold remediator is your best friend. It’s his job to clean up all that hazardous mess and remove what simply cannot be saved. It’s important to use a certified professional for this type of work because although not all strands of mold are deadly some can be quite dangerous – especially if the spores are concentrated and inhaled (like in say, a basement.) A trained technician will have the appropriate breathing and cleaning equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently. To better understand the job of the mold remediator let’s try to understand what he’s up against.

Water damage is one of the most destructive forces known, whether it is torrential rain, river flooding, storm surge or even a plumbing accident water can wreak havoc on your home. Well mold is the insulted added to injury, after destroying parts of your home now you’re in a race against time to dry things out before mold spores (some concentration is always present) take hold and begin to grow in the newly advantageous conditions the water damage has created. It’s an easy battle to lose, especially if the initial water damage occurs when the occupants are away or, shall we say, more concerned with life and limb than mold growth. Once mold takes hold, it’s the job of the mold remediator to remove and repair the damage. This can be done in a variety of ways depending on the exact situation. One major factor will be what surfaces are contaminated with mold and how long the mold has had a chance to grow. Unfortunately most modern building materials such as dry wall and ply-wood are highly susceptible to mold growth when water is allowed to infiltrate into them. They do make special kinds of both dry wall and plywood that are more resistant, generally they’re not worth the added cost unless you’re finishing your basement or expect to throw wild keggers all the time. Properly constructed though neither of those situations would actually dictate the usage of those expensive specialty materials, if anything it may be a sign that proper drainage and or ventilation is not in place. In a basement though, there is always the chance a flood or sub pump failure could cause problems and you may be lucky and your home builder could’ve invested in those water resistant materials, just in case. Either way there is a chance of damage depending on how long water was in contact. If sitting water has been in contact with your average building material for even a short time it will be quickly absorbed and mold growth will no longer be limited by a lack of moisture, only temperature can is likely to stop rampant growth, If the water damage is from a burst pipe in the winter you might actually be in luck! Otherwise, it’s unlikely. A qualified mold remediator will be able to remove all the surface mold present and dispense with any standing water but if the water has soaked completely through you will likely need to buy some new items. In the long run, this is for the best. Removing this damaged material would be part of the job but don’t forget to get a qualified inspector in before anything new is built. If the materials were water resistant they may look hopelessly damaged but chances are they can actually be returned to an almost pristine condition. After the materials have been properly cleaned and standing water removed the final step a mold remediator will take is, to help prevent the return of any mold, will be both to dehumidify and filter the air. The dehumidifying is straightforward; you may have a system in your basement now which performs this task. These can be rented and it’s advisable to get a size or two larger than normal and run it for at least two weeks. Remember, you want it as dry as possible down there. We’re trying to kill or at least force any remaining spores into hibernation. Filtering the air should be done in two basic ways, an HEPA type filter and a UV filter. UV filters will kill remaining viable spores while the HEPA filter will capture the detritus of mold which can be quite toxic, ensuring the air quality within the home is healthy. A quality mold remediator will either offer you this service, or make sure you’re aware of the steps necessary – it’s not brain surgery but it’s vital that be done for at least two weeks. Think of this like an antibiotics run for your mold infection, completing the full course is vital.

More Information On Employment Opportunites As a

Mold Remediator

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ArticleRich.com