What is the Ratio Utility Billing Program?
The Ratio Utility Billing Program is formulated to calculate what portion of the water, sewage, and garbage consumption cost each home is responsible for based on the number of occupants and square footage.
Ratio Utility Billing is the industry standard and is commonly used across the country. Although Goldmark Property Management is one of the first in North Dakota to implement this program, we have used this for many years as standard practice in Minneapolis (2018) and Omaha (2019). With Ratio Utility Billing set to become the standard for property managers in the North Dakota region, we are leading the way, while other property management companies in the area are exploring the same program.
This program is being launched in different phases for Goldmark Property Management. To find out when your property is launching, view the entire list here.
Any current leases will not be included in the Ratio Utility Billing Program until your lease has ended – even if the lease overlaps the launch date. If you are a current resident, you will receive communications closer to the end of your lease reminding you of the change.
Which Utilities are Impacted by Ratio Utility Billing?
With the new Ratio Utility Billing Program, residents will be responsible for the three following utility costs, based on the number of occupants and square footage of your home:
Water
Sewage
Trash
Who is Impacted by the Ratio Utility Billing Program?
All Goldmark Property Management properties, with a few exceptions, and their residents will be impacted by the Ratio Utility Billing Program. The rollout will occur in four phases; which can be found here. The start date for each phase varies based on these three factors:
New Leases (moving in)
Any new residents who sign a lease on or after the implementation date will be enrolled in the Ratio Utility Billing Program. If you sign your new lease before the implementation date, you will not be enrolled until your renewal.
Month-to-Month Leases
Anyone in a month-to-month lease, or converts to one, on or after the implementation date will be enrolled in the Ratio Utility Billing Program.
Lease Renewals (currently living with us)
The Ratio Utility Billing Program will be implemented with the start of your next renewal lease, if your lease begins on or after the implementation date. This will not affect any renewals that started before the implementation date. More information will be provided to you with your next renewal letter.
When and Where Will the Ratio Utility Billing Program Take Place?
Residents will be notified in advance of their rollout implementation date. The Ratio Utility Billing Program will be rolled out in phases over several months and will not change any existing leases. Not all residents will be enrolled in this program at the same time.
The phases and launch dates are broken down as follows:
| New Leases | Month-to-Month and Lease Renewals | |
| Phase 1 | June 1, 2023 | October 1, 2023 |
| Phase 2 | September 1, 2023 | November 1, 2023 |
| Phase 3 | November 1, 2023 | January 1, 2024 |
| Phase 4 | December 1, 2023 | February 1, 2024 |
What to Expect for Billing
In the Ratio Utility Billing Program, the cost per home is determined by a formula based on the number of occupants and the square footage of the apartment or townhome. Payment will be due at the same time as rent on the first of the month.
2022 Averages from Minneapolis & Omaha
| Square Feet | Average | Min | Max |
| 350-749 | $29 | $13 | $60 |
| 750-999 | $39 | $16 | $73 |
| 1000-1400 | $49 | $19 | $129 |
*Disclaimer: These numbers are averaged based on historical data based from Goldmark Property Management’s Ratio Utility Billing Program in the Minneapolis, MN, and Omaha, NE, regions. These numbers vary based on the number of occupants in each home, square footage, type of home, appliances, and region.
Ratio Utility Billing Enrollment
When your phased rollout automatic enrollment begins for the Ratio Utility Billing Program, the utility billing will be administered through YES Energy Management. For more information about YES Energy Management call 800-637-4242 or visit: yesenergymanagement.com/contact.
Payment Information
The utility billing will be administered through YES Energy Management. Billing will begin the same day as the rollout date. Your first statement will arrive approximately 45 days after the program starts. You will receive the monthly bill for your allocated share of water, sewage, and garbage. Utility bills will be sent monthly via USPS and/or email. Contact YES Energy Management to update your preferred billing method.
YES Energy Management will send your bill on or about the 25th of the month and will be due with your rent to the property on the first of the following month.
For more information about YES Energy Management visit: yesenergymanagement.com.
If you have questions regarding your utility bill or the allocation method, don't hesitate to contact YES Energy Management directly at 1 (800) 637-4242 or yescs@yardi.com.
Automatic Payments
For more information on how to set up an automatic payment for the variable utility charge, please log in to your resident portal after you receive your first bill, and you will be able to see the variable lease charge.
If you have not yet registered for the Resident Portal, you can email, call, or stop into the office and ask us to send you an invitation to your secure Resident Portal.
FAQ’S
Where can I find my Ratio Utility Billing statement?
Your first statement will be mailed and e-statement via email by YES Energy Management. E-statements will continue automatically. Contact YES Energy Management directly to update your preferred billing method.
How do I make a payment?
The Ratio Utility Billing amount will be included in your monthly rent payment. The most convenient option is to pay using our online resident portal by visiting: www.goldmark.com/residentportal
If you are not yet registered for our online resident portal, contact your community office to get started, or watch for instructions sent to your email on the 20th of each month. If you need help registering, please reach out to the office and our team will guide you through the process.
When is my payment due?
YES Energy Management will be sending your bill on or about the 25th of the month and will be due with your rent to the property on the first of the following month.
How do you determine my usage?
The amount is determined by the total usage in each building. We use a formula that considers the square footage and number of occupants of each apartment to provide a fair payment amount for each home. Utilities for common areas like laundry rooms will be deducted from the total bill. (These are often referred to as CAD or Common Area Deductions.)
Will I be billed for utility usage if I’m out of town?
You will not be using water while you are away which reduces the total water and sewage consumption. All residents will still share the total amount of usage between water, sewage, and trash, except for common areas and vacant homes.
What if I have a question about the Ratio Billing Program statement?
YES Energy Management will be able to view and troubleshoot the invoice with you. If you have any questions regarding your utility bill or the allocation method, please contact YES Energy Management directly at 1 (800) 637-4242 or yescs@yardi.com.
If I add a roommate will that change my statement amount?
The portion you are responsible for is affected by the number of people in your home. The addition of a roommate will result in more usage, and therefore you may see a change.
How much will my monthly Ratio Utility Billing Program payment be?
Your portion can vary month over month based on the total usage in the building. For your convenience, you can choose the “pay 100%” feature in the resident portal to make a full monthly payment.
Can the Ratio Utility Billing Program payment be added to my auto payment?
To pay your utilities automatically, you will need to set up an additional autopayment specifically for your utility payment to ensure the payment is made in full. This can be set up within your resident portal after you receive your first statement. Set your rent and utility payment date for the 1st of the month.
Does the bill include water for community laundry machines, pools, sprinklers, etc.?
No, Goldmark will pay for applicable common area costs such as community laundry, sprinkler systems, etc. The resident usage will be distributed after those costs have been deducted from the total.
What if I want a paper statement?
Anyone registered for our resident portal will be automatically enrolled in online statements. If you prefer paper statements, you can contact YES Energy Management at (800) 637-4242.
Why are we not using submeters?
The Ratio Utility Billing Program is a cost-effective and fair alternative to submeters. This saves residents the fees or rental increases that come with the installation of individual meters.
Who else is using the Ratio Utility Billing Program?
The Ratio Utility Billing Program is the industry standard and is commonly used across the country. Although Goldmark Property Management is one of the first in North Dakota to implement this program, we have used this as standard practice in Minneapolis (2018) and Omaha (2019). With Ratio Utility Billing set to become the standard for property managers in the North Dakota region, we are leading the way, while other property management companies in the area are exploring the same program.
What if I use a rent assistance program?
We still accept rent assistance programs, which does not affect existing leases. Your housing provider will receive notification of any rate changes at the time your renewal letter is sent. If you have additional questions, please contact your assistance provider.
Does the date that I sign my lease matter?
Yes, any new residents who sign a lease on or after the implementation date will be enrolled in the Ratio Utility Billing Program. If you sign your new lease before the implementation date, you will not be enrolled until your renewal.
Example: New Lease
| New Lease Implementation Date | Lease Signed | Lease Starts | Status |
| 9/1 | 8/15 | 9/15 | ❌ Not Enrolled (Signed before date) |
| 9/1 | 9/5 | 9/15 | ✅ Enrolled (Signed after date) |
Does the date that I start my lease matter?
Yes, the Ratio Utility Billing Program will start if your renewal lease begins on or after the implementation date. This will not affect any renewals that started before the implementation date. More information will be provided to you with your next renewal letter.
Example: Renewal Lease
| Renewal Lease Implementation Date | Lease Signed | Lease Starts | Status |
| 11/1 | 9/15 | 10/1 | ❌ Not Enrolled (Lease starts before date) |
| 11/1 | 9/15 | 11/1 | ✅ Enrolled (Lease starts after date) |
Request Maintenance to Reduce Utility Waste
If you experience any of these issues, please contact us as soon as possible.
Check faucets for leaks. A dripping faucet results in 15 gallons of wasted water every day!
Notify the office if your toilet runs periodically on its own or if it does not stop filling in a reasonable amount of time.
If water comes out of the tub spout while using the shower, let us know! This makes your showerhead less effective while wasting water.
Optimize Your Usage to Reduce Your Utility Bill
Put your trash into the dumpster, not beside it. Our service providers charge extra to pick up trash around the dumpsters.
Take shorter showers. Every five minutes is about 12.5 gallons of water.
When running a bath, plug the tub, then adjust the temperature as it fills.
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Water comes out of the average faucet at 2.5 gallons per minute.
Don’t use your toilet as a waste basket. Flushing a tissue or small piece of trash wastes 5 to 7 gallon per flush.
Wait to use your dishwasher or clothes washer until you have a full load. Half-loads add up to gallons and gallons of wasted water.
Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.