Heat

Cost likely depends on the area and fluctuates with the years, so what's best for me may not be what's best for you.

I try where possible not to include heat with the rent. So if it has its own meter, the tenant pays the rent. Where there's only 1 meter and more than 1 unit, I can't get tenants to pay the heat, so I adjust the monthly rent accordingly.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Ricardo,

As a Landlord, you should have Electric baseboard heat.
This would be apart of the Tenants electric bill, No cost to you!

This way you dont have a problem with your heater(Boiler) going bad.

Also with a heat pump that is also electric. Good thing!

A boiler is either Oil or Gas, this would be an expense to either you or the tenant. Just need to relize that if they can't afford to fill the tank then your pipes can freeze. Some times they will use other heat options just in certain rooms.

Also a forced Hot air furnace is also either oil or gas.

So Electric baseboard is your best option!!

Jay c

Thank you!

Each unit is required to have its own heat source. I have a property that 2 units shared a heat source before I bought it. It was advertised as a legal duplex, but in order to make it a legal duplex they had to install electiric base board heaters in one of the units to give it it's own source of heat. As jay C metioned and I agree that base board heaters are the way to go because they will be paying for it in their electric bill.
They are also cheaper as far as upkeep and replacement costs.

I owned a triplex for several years, where the previous owner had removed all carpeting and replaced with tile, and where the heating units were radiant heat (separately metered) with baseboard heating in the more remote bedrooms.
I loved these units because, as has been mentioned above, all the monthly costs were with the tenants, and the systems were simple and easy to repair or replace if needed. And I never had to replace flooring. With the vinyl cove base, I could practically hose out the unit when it went vacant (of course I'm exaggerating there, but it was really simple to clean them up for a new tenant. And none of my tenants complained about these systems, although they were older units, they could be kept clean and neat, and I could be a little more liberal with pet arrangements as well.

Rental units must adhere to certain government standards and regulations in order to meet building codes for habitation. A landlord is required to provide a tenant with a reasonably inhabitable space. This includes providing the tenant with cooking utilities, functional electrical outlets and plumbing, as well as a safe method of heating the unit.
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Apartment Heating Laws
OSHA Heat Requirements

Heating Source

Landlords must provide tenants with a safe source of heat for the rental property. This could be a wall or central air/heat unit, a fireplace, radiator or space heater. The heating source must meet all local building codes. It must also be easily accessible to the tenant and safe to operate.

Fire Hazards

The heating source must be in good condition and completely operable. The rental unit must have sufficient ventilation to accommodate use of the heating source including a functioning chimney, vents and duct work, or exhaust fans. Tenants should be advised of any possible hazards that can occur from use of the heating source to avoid fires.
Maintenance

Landlords and tenants should both check the proper function of all heating elements upon entering into a lease agreement. A professional inspector should be brought in if there is a question on either side of the proper function of the heating unit. The landlord is responsible for maintenance on the heating unit. The tenant should report any malfunctions or misuse of the unit directly to the landlord as soon as the malfunction is noted. kswain

Reading Randy's comments above, I find myself reflecting on a property that I bought, which had originally been multiple units in one building, plus a bungalow on the same property.
The previous owner had a fire take place, which burned down the bungalow and originated from a small fireplace. It was basically a chimney fire that got away and burned down the property.
Fortunately no one was injured in the fire. Nevertheless, although the previous owner had received a decent settlement, there were issues with respect to the property, allegations that it had been arson, articles in the newspaper, and a file with the city that seemed to grow and grow afterward. It put this property on the radar, and although it could have been a nice property, I had ongoing challenges.
I don't want to specifically blame everything on the fire, but I do want to suggest that you set a rule for yourself to only own rental properties where the heating methods are approved, code sanctioned units. Things that bring fire and heat into properties can turn against you, and we need to be very careful with those as landlords. I love a fire as well as anybody, but unless it is a gas log type, I'm either going to avoid the property, or make the fireplace unuseable, or convert it. Just a few words from a voice of experience.

Making a better investor already. When I am ready to get some buy n holds I will remember this, thanks folks.

my rental properties have gas furnaces; tenant pays for all utilities, including heat.

I agree with Dallin; I do not have fireplaces in my properties, unless they are gas fireplaces.

Every landlord should make sure that they have enough and adequate insurance for each and everyone of their rental properties!