1.
Article: Death of Utility Bill and Collect
2.
Approximately how many U.S. apartment residents are billed for utilities in addition to rent?
Correct Answer
B. 5 million
Explanation
Approximately 5 million U.S. apartment residents are billed for utilities in addition to rent. This suggests that a significant portion of apartment residents in the U.S. have to pay for utilities such as electricity, water, and gas separately from their rent. This could be due to various factors such as the type of apartment complex, location, and the landlord's policies. Having separate utility bills can add an additional financial burden for these residents, making it important for them to budget and manage their expenses effectively.
3.
When utility bill and collect services were first intriduced, which of the following was a benefit of them?
Correct Answer
D. Decrease in the workload for property staff
Explanation
The correct answer is "Decrease in the workload for property staff". When utility bill and collect services were first introduced, one of the benefits was that it reduced the workload for property staff. This means that staff members would have to spend less time and effort on tasks related to collecting and managing utility bills, allowing them to focus on other important responsibilities.
4.
Which of the following would NOT be included on a convergent bill?
Correct Answer
E. All of the above might be included on a convergent bill
Explanation
A convergent bill is a single bill that combines multiple expenses into one payment. This can include various fees and charges, such as garbage fees, pet fees, utilities, and rent. Therefore, all of the options listed might be included on a convergent bill, making the answer correct.
5.
Convergent billing now represents about ___________ resident utility and rent bills per month.
Correct Answer
C. 1.5 to 2 million
Explanation
Convergent billing now represents about 1.5 to 2 million resident utility and rent bills per month. This means that a significant number of residents are now using convergent billing for their utility and rent payments. The range of 1.5 to 2 million suggests that the exact number of bills falls within this range, but it is not possible to determine the precise number from the given information.
6.
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of electronic convergent billing?
Correct Answer
B. Decreased vacant costs
Explanation
Electronic convergent billing is a system that combines multiple billing processes into one platform, making it more efficient and streamlined. It offers several benefits such as accelerated collections, less required working capital, reduced administrative workload, improved transparency, and increased resident satisfaction. However, decreased vacant costs is not a direct benefit of electronic convergent billing. It may indirectly contribute to cost savings by improving overall efficiency and accuracy in billing, but it is not a specific benefit mentioned in the question.
7.
Which of the following is the owner of Holly Station, a Tristar property, and is quoted in the article?
Correct Answer
B. Peter Voelkel
Explanation
Peter Voelkel is the owner of Holly Station, a Tristar property, and is quoted in the article.
8.
Which of the following is NOT a reason why the practice of utility bill and collect persits?
Correct Answer
A. It's the lowest price option
Explanation
The given answer "It's the lowest price option" is not a reason why the practice of utility bill and collect persists. This suggests that the practice continues for reasons other than being the cheapest option.
9.
According to Dave Staal's estimates, by how much could electronic convergent billing increase utiity collections?
Correct Answer
B. 20 to 30 percent
Explanation
Dave Staal estimates that electronic convergent billing could increase utility collections by 20 to 30 percent. This means that implementing electronic convergent billing methods could result in a significant increase in the amount of money collected from utility customers.
10.
Which of the following is NOT a feature of electronic convergent billing?
Correct Answer
D. All of the above are features of electronic convergent billing
Explanation
Electronic convergent billing is a system that combines multiple bills, such as rent and utilities, into one single bill. This allows residents to conveniently view and pay all their bills in one place. Additionally, bills are emailed to residents, eliminating the need for physical mail. The system also provides direct links to online payment services, making it easier for residents to make payments. Therefore, all of the given options are features of electronic convergent billing.