Utility Billing and Submeter Apportionment

1. Overview & Business Value#

This comprehensive operational guide details the architecture, business workflows, configuration parameters, and execution steps for Utility Billing and Submeter Apportionment within SmartERP.

Submetered utility billing ensures transparent recovery of electrical power, municipal water, and standby generator operational diesel expenditures.

Submeter Recording Workflow#

1. Navigate to Property Management → Utilities → Meter Readings → New.
2. Select Building and Utility Type (Electricity - kWh, Water - $m^3$, Generator Diesel - Liters).
3. Enter current meter reading. SmartERP automatically computes consumption: $$\Delta \text{Consumption} = \text{Current Reading} - \text{Previous Reading}$$
4. Attach meter photo verification from mobile device for audit defensibility.
5. Click Compute Invoices to create itemized utility debit lines on the tenant's monthly statement.

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2. Prerequisites & Security Access Groups#

• Required Modules: smarterp_property, account, stock, maintenance
• Security Groups:
  • Property Officer (Technical ID: property.group_property_user)
  • Property Manager / Leasing Director (Technical ID: property.group_property_manager)
  • Real Estate Financial Controller (Technical ID: account.group_account_user)
• Master Data Dependencies: Established legal entity profile for Company 1 (Ashewa Technology Solutions S.C.), registered properties, rental units, and verified partner tenant profiles (res.partner).

3. Step-by-Step Configuration & Execution#

Step 1: Navigating to the Module Interface#

1. Log into your SmartERP instance at https://smarterp.et/odoo.
2. Open the main App Switcher (grid icon in the top-left corner).
3. Select the Property Management app icon.
4. From the top navigation bar, open Properties → Properties / Units / Leases / Utilities.

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Step 2: Creating and Parameterizing Records#

1. Click the New button in the top-left control panel.
2. Complete the mandatory fields in the record form:
   • Name / Primary Reference (Mandatory): Unique property or lease identifier.
   • Property / Unit Allocation (Mandatory): Designated building and rentable unit code.
   • Tenant / Partner (Mandatory): Verified tenant partner record (res.partner).
   • Contract Term & Billing Day (Mandatory): Effective lease commencement, duration, and monthly billing cycle date.
3. Configure optional operational parameters and localized tags as required:
   • Escalation Percentage (Optional): Pre-agreed annual indexation rate.
   • Utility Submeter Serials (Optional): Dedicated electricity and water submeter numbers.
   • Security Deposit Escrow (Optional): 2 to 3 months' gross rent held in segregated liability account.
4. Click the Save icon in the control bar to commit the record.

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Step 3: Validating and Processing Transactions#

• State Transitions: Execute operational state progression (Draft → Confirmed → Active / In Progress → Closed / Settled).
• Ledger & System Impact: Recurring rent invoices debit Accounts Receivable and credit Rental Revenue; utility billing apportions CAM expenses to tenant statements.
• Audit Verification: Automated recording of author ID, timestamp, and immutable revision history.

{screenshot:utility-billing-and-submeter-apportionment-transaction-processing-state}

4. Advanced Configuration Points#

• Automated Actions & Scheduled Tasks (Crons):
  • Property: Generate recurring rent invoices (property.ir_cron_generate_rent_invoices): Runs nightly to generate upcoming month rent invoices.
  • Property: Check expiring leases and send renewal notices (property.ir_cron_lease_expiry_alert): Runs weekly to notify leasing officers 60 days prior to contract expiration.
  • Property: Compute submeter utility charges (property.ir_cron_utility_compute): Runs monthly following meter reading closeout.
• Custom Print Templates & Reports:
  • Official Tenancy Agreement & Commercial Lease Contract
  • Monthly Rent & Utility Invoice with Telebirr QR Code
  • Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Handover Dossier
  • Property Building Net Operating Income (NOI) Financial Statement
• Multi-Company Rules: Record-level security isolation under Company 1 (Ashewa Technology Solutions S.C.), preventing cross-company tenant ledger leakage across real estate subsidiaries.

5. Comprehensive Troubleshooting Matrix#