Interviewer instructions
Complete this item for all occupied housing units selected for your assignment.
· If the household paid for water, report the amount using the guidelines below
· If the household did not pay for water, but it was included in the rent, Circle “1” for Yes.
· Ask all housing units whether they pay for water from a public utility - Circle “1” for Yes or “2” for No.
1. Enter the last monthly bill in the space provided.
Report the last monthly bill if the respondent pays the entire utility or fuel bill (even if these bills are unpaid), or if all or part of the respondent's utility or fuel bill is paid by a welfare agency, relative, or friend.
If part of the cost of the utility or fuel is paid by the landlord and part paid by the occupants, report only the part paid by the occupants.
If the respondent pays the entire utility or fuel bill for a multi-unit building (for example, he or she is the landlord), report only the amount for his or her own housing unit. If necessary, accept an estimate.
2. If the respondent doesn't know the exact cost, an approximate figure will do. Ask additional questions as necessary to obtain a reasonable estimate (for example, "Is the cost greater than $50 or less than $50?", etc.). In some cases, it may be easier for you to compute the fuel or utility costs from information given by the respondent. If so, ask whether your estimate sounds reasonable before entering the amount.
3. If the house or apartment is rented, enter the costs for utilities and fuels only if they are paid in addition to the rent. If a utility or fuel is included in the rent, mark the appropriate box.
4. Report “0” if the utility or fuel is not used, if it is not available to the household, or if it is provided to the renter or owner free of charge.
If the respondent has moved in recently, ask for his/her estimate based on previous experience and general knowledge of fuel and utility costs. Emphasize that we need an estimate in order to determine total housing costs for all housing units on a comparable basis.
