How We Handle Utility Overrages

At Texas Corporate Homes (TCH), most furnished rentals include all utilities with a monthly cap. This structure helps guests budget while protecting homeowners from unusually high utility usage.

When a guest exceeds the utility cap, the guest — not the homeowner — is contractually responsible for the overage. TCH manages the entire billing and collection process on the owner’s behalf.

⚠️ Important Notice

Owners should send utility bills to ownerprogram@staytch.com as soon as the bill is received. Timely submission improves the likelihood of recovering overage charges from the guest.

🔌 What Is a Utility Cap?

Each rental agreement includes a standardized monthly utility allowance (or “cap”), typically:

• Electricity: $500
• Water: $200

The utility cap applies to:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water / sewer

If usage exceeds the cap, the guest is required under their agreement to pay the difference.

🧮 How Utility Overages Are Calculated

Utility overages are calculated using:

• Actual utility bills for the rental period

  minus

• The utility cap stated in the guest’s lease

To begin this process, the homeowner must provide statements directly from the utility provider showing:

• Service address
• Billing period
• Usage
• Amount billed

If the guest occupied the property for only part of a billing cycle, the bill is prorated so charges align with the guest’s stay dates.

Once received, TCH verifies the dates and amounts and prepares the invoice for the guest.

📬 How TCH Collects Utility Overages

After validating the utility bills, TCH takes over all guest communication and collection efforts. Homeowners do not contact the guest or get involved.

TCH will:

1. Issue a formal invoice to the guest with supporting documentation
2. Apply any remaining guest deposits toward the invoice, if available
3. Require owners to submit the overage bill as soon as possible, as guest deposits are typically returned within 14 days after checkout
4. Send repeated reminders via email, SMS, and phone
5. Continue collection efforts until payment is received or escalation is required

🚨 What Happens If a Guest Doesn’t Pay

If payment is not received, TCH will escalate using the enforcement tools available under the rental agreement:

1. Ongoing demand and invoicing
2. Applying the guest’s security deposit after checkout
3. Terminating the rental agreement for breach due to non-payment
4. Removing the guest through trespass or eviction if required

Under the agreement, unpaid utility overages are treated the same as unpaid rent.

⏳ How Long Does This Take?

Most utility overages are resolved quickly, often within days or a few weeks.

In some cases, collection may take weeks or months, particularly if:

• The guest disputes the charges
• Legal enforcement is required
• Deposits or move-out timing affects recovery

TCH continues pursuing the balance until payment is collected or all available remedies are exhausted.

💰 When You Receive Payment

Once TCH successfully collects the overage from the guest:

• 100% of the recovered amount is remitted to the homeowner
• Supporting documentation is provided for transparency when applicable

TCH does not advance owner funds for unpaid guest bills. Payments are made only after funds are recovered.

ℹ️ Why This System Exists

Utility caps allow for:

• Competitive, all-inclusive pricing for guests
• Protection for homeowners from extreme usage
• Faster placement through insurance and corporate channels

Without utility caps, rents would need to be higher for all guests to cover worst-case usage scenarios.