For years, landlords relied on noise complaints, surprise inspections, or neighbor tips to catch unauthorized tenants or lease violations. But now, some are turning to a far less obvious indicator: water usage. With the rise of smart meters and data analytics, landlords are gaining a new lens into what’s happening behind closed doors.
Spikes in water consumption can suggest more people living in a unit than permitted, or even illegal activity. As privacy debates heat up, this method is raising eyebrows and stirring conversation across the rental market.
