How much is usually paid for heat, not including the rent?

HOW MUCH DOES A 3 BDRM 1 1/2 BTHRM APT. RENT FOR IN CHGO AREA?

• I CURRENTLY OWN A 3 FLAT APT. BUILDING AND MY TENANTS PAY 1,000.00 A MONTH RENT INCLUDING HEAT AND GAS FOR A 3 BDRM, 1 1/2 BATHROOM, KITCHEN, DINING ROOM AND LIVING ROOM APT. THEY ONLY HAVE TO PAY THEIR ELECTRIC. THEY CANNOT PAY THEIR OWN GAS BILL BECAUSE THE HEATER IS SHARED WITH THE BSMNT APT. SO BECAUSE OF THIS WE PAY THE GAS FOR THE ENTIRE BUILDING. OUR GAS BILL WENT UP TREMENDOUSLY ALONG WITH THE PROPERTY TAXES. WE ONLY RAISED THEIR RENT ONCE IN 8 YRS. SO THIS WILL BE OUR 2ND TIME RAISING THEIR RENT IN 8 YRS. WE NEED TO RAISE THEIR RENT TO 1100.00 A MONTH JUST TO BREAK EVEN, WE ARE NOT MAKING ANY MONEY. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE THE LANDLORDS, PAY THE MOST OUT OF EVERYONE. DO YOU THINK 1100.00 A MONTH INCLUDING GAS AND HEAT IS TOO MUCH FOR A 3 BDRM, 1 1/2 BATHROOM APT. IN A SUBURB CLOSE TO THE CITY? IT'S A VERY NICE AREA, PLUS WE HAVE A LAUNDRY ROOM FOR OUR TENANTS AS WELL. THE APT. IS VERY CLEAN AND HAS HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT WITH NEW CERAMIC TILE IN THE KITCHEN. LANDLORDS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK? I AM GOING TO UPDATE ALL THEIR LEASES WITH A TYPED OUT NOTICE WITH THE RENT INCREASE. BUT I AM KIND OF SCARED OF DOING SO. HOW DO I APPROACH THIS MATTER? PLEASE HELP.

• Answer:

  All would depend on location. I live in Chicago. What suburb are you talking about, Hinsdale, Western Springs? OR Harvey , Chicago Heights?? Etc. These all would be a drastic difference in cost. To compare I guess, in my neighborhood , in Lyons, right outside of Chicago a 2 bedroom goes frm anywhere from 750-950 a month including utilities except electric. 3 bedroom houses to rent are about 1050 to 1500 to rent, but then again that's a house. Honestly, I don't really see too many 3 bedroom apts to rent here. 1100 a month for 3 bedrooms seems reasonable and cheap overall (well maybe not for Harvey), a 100 a month increase is barely anything to get mad about, you can probably do a little more.