Splitting the bill by ownership share isn’t fair
When the condominium receives a single water bill, the easiest thing is to split it by ownership share. But then a unit with one resident pays the same as the one next door with six people and a leaking toilet. With individual meters everyone pays for what they use, but taking readings, calculating and billing by hand eats hours every month and leaves room for mistakes.
How it works in CondoCMS
On-site readings
Meters are organized by tower or sector. Whoever takes the readings captures them directly on a phone or tablet while walking the condominium, without writing on paper to type up later.
Calculated and validated consumption
The system calculates each unit’s consumption in cubic meters and applies two checks:
- Meter rollover. If the new reading is lower than the previous one, it considers that the meter may have reached its maximum and returned to zero, but only if the resulting consumption is reasonable. Otherwise it rejects the reading: a typo is far more likely than hundreds of cubic meters of consumption.
- Unusual consumption. If consumption is more than twice that unit’s average over the last three months, it’s flagged as a possible leak, so the resident can be warned before the bill arrives.
Rates tailored to the condominium
Rates support a fixed charge and consumption tiers priced per cubic meter. Each rate has an effective date: a rate change never alters what was billed in previous months.
Billed on the same account statement
The water amount is generated as another charge on the unit’s account statement, next to the maintenance fee. Residents pay once, and water goes through the same delinquency process as everything else. See fees, payments and delinquency.
Results you notice
- Fewer complaints, because each charge shows the previous reading, the current one and consumption.
- Leaks caught in time.
- Hours of admin work recovered every month.
To set the rate and decide how to split the gap with the master meter, read our guide on how to bill water in a condominium.
Frequently asked questions
What if a reading is mistyped?
If a reading is lower than the previous one, the system considers that the meter may have rolled over, but only accepts it if the resulting consumption is reasonable. If it gives impossible consumption, it rejects the reading so it can be taken again instead of billing an absurd amount.
How does it detect leaks?
It compares the month’s consumption with that unit’s average over the last three months. If it’s more than double, it flags a possible leak. With less than two months of history it makes no judgment.
Can the rate be changed?
Yes. Rates have an effective date: if the rate rises in September, August is still calculated at August’s rate. A recalculation never changes previous months.
Does this module require fee billing?
Yes, because water is billed as another charge on the account statement. That’s why it’s enabled together with the fees, payments and delinquency module.