Reduce Vacancy. Attract Tenants Faster. Control Your Margins.
If you own rental properties in San Diego County, you know the real killer: vacancy. Every empty unit bleeds money. A month without a tenant costs you thousands in lost rent plus turnover
expenses. The fastest way to fill vacancies is to make your property an obvious choice. Tenants don’t want to think about utilities. Rising energy bills create uncertainty. They stress about summer
bills. They move because they find “cheaper” rent elsewhere. What if you removed that concern entirely?
The Game-Changer: “Utilities Included” Model
Here’s what smart landlords are doing:
Instead of: “Rent $1,800 (plus utilities $150-250/month)”Try: “Rent $1,900 all-in (utilities included, no
surprises)”
Why this wins:
- Tenants see ONE number. Simple comparison. Your property looks cheaper when you include
utilities in the rent. - Easier decision. No guessing about energy costs. No fear of high bills. They move in faster.
- Lower vacancy. Properties with utilities-included rent 20-30% faster.
- Tenants stay longer. No surprise bills = happier tenants.
The real win: You control the electricity. You cap your exposure. You profit from it.
Solar Makes Utilities-Included Profitable
Without solar: Including utilities in rent costs you money. You’re gambling that tenants won’t blast the AC all
summer.
With solar: Your energy costs drop 75-85%. You include utilities in rent AND make money from the savings.
Suddenly, utilities-included is a profit center, not a liability.
The Financing Good News
Previously, solar financing was clunky and expensive. Now it’s simple:
- Monthly payment plans: Pay as you go (~$350-400/month). Utility savings offset most of it.
- Prepaid monthly PPAs: $0 down, lock in a fixed rate, save money immediately.
- Tax credit advantage: Rental property solar now qualifies for the Investment Tax Credit (previously
only available for primary residences). New financing options make capturing this benefit easier than ever.
No need for big upfront capital. No complicated loans. Choose your financing, set your utilities-included rent,
and tenants move in faster.
Three Ways to Implement This
Model 1: Utilities-Included Rent Premium (Most Common)
- Raise rent $75-150/month
- Solar covers most utility costs
- You capture the difference
- Best for: Multi-unit properties
Model 2: Competitive Rent, Lower Utilities
- Keep rent at market rate
- Use solar savings to include utilities
- Fill vacancies 30%+ faster
- Best for: Competitive rental markets
Model 3: Hybrid Approach
- Raise rent $50/month
- Solar covers most costs
- Tenants still save money vs. paying utilities separately
- Everyone wins
- Best for: Long-term tenant relationships
The Real Benefit: Faster Rents, Lower Vacancy
Here’s what matters to landlords:
Vacancy costs you real money:
- 1 empty unit for 60 days = $3,500+ loss (lost rent + turnover)
- Utilities-included properties rent 20-30% faster
- Across multiple units = $3,000-5,000/year saved just from faster turnover
Plus: Happier tenants who know exactly what they’re paying. No surprise energy bills. They stay longer.
Marketing Your Solar Property
When listing your property:
- Standard listing:”$1,800/month, utilities extra”
- Solar-powered listing:”$1,950/month, utilities included, solar-powered, no surprises”
- Tenants feel the difference. It’s modern, efficient, transparent. These are the tenants who pay on time and don’t complain.
Get Your Building Solar-Ready
Baker Home Energy specializes in landlord solar installations across San Diego County.
We handle:
- System design and installation
- Financing options (monthly payments, PPAs, cash purchase)
- Tax credit guidance
- Tenant communication strategy
- Ongoing support
Result: Your properties rent faster, tenants are happier, and you profit from clean energy for 25+ years.
Ready to reduce your vacancy rates and make utilities-included work for you?
Contact Baker Home Energy for a free landlord solar assessment
Baker Home Energy: 86 years of trusted home energy solutions. Solar, batteries, roofing, heating & air, water systems. Serving San Diego County with complete property solutions.
