Historical Utility Bills to Request in a Laundromat Purchase
Last reviewed 2026-09-12 by Jaken Energy editorial desk. Next review scheduled 2027-03-12.
Direct answer
Request one to three years of complete electric and natural gas bills for every meter serving the store, including supplier pages, delivery breakdowns, and demand or interval data where applicable. Add deposit statements, third-party supplier contracts, and landlord utility invoices if accounts are not in the seller's name. CLA due diligence guidance supports the 1–3 year span to capture seasonality.
Ask for PDF bills with all pages—not summary spreadsheets alone.
Include every account: main service, house meters, sub-meters, and gas branches.
Twelve months minimum; 24–36 months preferred for seasonal and rate-change visibility.
Request supplier contract copies when a REP or marketer name appears on electric bills.
Landlord-controlled accounts need lease utility statements or owner billing records.
File bills by account number for post-close benchmarking and resale packages.
Minimum time span and format
Coin Laundry Association due diligence resources recommend requesting one to three years of utility bills when buying or selling a store. PDF copies from the utility portal preserve line-item detail that Excel exports often drop—demand kW, read type, rate schedule codes, and rider names.
If the seller only provides totals, ask them to authorize the utility to release records directly using a letter of authorization.
Electric bills: what each month should show
Commercial laundromat electric bills typically include more than a kWh total.
Billing period dates and day count
Meter number and read type (actual vs estimated)
Rate schedule or tariff code
kWh energy charges and kW demand if applicable
Supply and delivery split when retail choice applies
Taxes, franchise fees, and tariff riders
Natural gas bills and dual-fuel sites
Gas-fired dryers dominate therms at many stores while electric bills still reflect washers, water heating, lighting, and HVAC. Request the same 1–3 year span for gas accounts. Note whether therms are billed by a local utility or a competitive gas supplier depending on state rules.
Dual-fuel diligence means both fuels, not whichever bill the seller highlights as lower.
Supporting documents beyond monthly bills
These items explain gaps between billed amounts and seller P&L lines.
Utility deposit paid and whether it is refundable at change of ownership
Budget billing or level-payment plan statements
Net metering or solar credit summaries if on-site generation exists
Interval data downloads for large-demand accounts
Correspondence on rate-class changes or service upgrades
Q & A
FAQ
Can I rely on seller utility spreadsheets instead of bills?
Spreadsheets are a red flag unless tied to underlying PDF bills. Summaries omit demand charges, estimated reads, rider changes, and supply versus delivery splits. Insist on complete bills or obtain them directly from the utility with seller authorization.
Should I request bills for meters I have not seen on walkthrough?
Yes. Match every account number on bills to meters at the premise. House panels, exterior lighting, or adjacent tenant spaces sometimes share infrastructure; missing an account understates true operating cost.
What if the seller says bills are in the landlord's name?
Request landlord billing statements or expense pass-through records for the same 1–3 year window, plus lease language on who controls the account. Landlord-controlled utilities may limit your ability to switch suppliers after closing.
Share your utility territory and contract timing. We provide independent supply-side guidance where your market allows—not utility sales or guaranteed savings claims.
