We will Provide Accurate and Reliable

             Utility Consumption Baseline Analysis

Required Under the RAD Program

 

 

A Utility Consumption Baseline Analysis (UCBA) is a report that analyzes a full twelve months of energy consumption at a property. Oft-times both a pre and a post rehab analysis are conducted to show the decrease in energy consumption after green retrofits have been installed on a property. A UCBA contains data on all (both tenant and owner paid) utility usage at the property and includes all common areas usage. Additionally, a detailed narrative that describes the interior and exterior layout of the property is used to understand and document what types of utilities are used, how they are used, from what sources they come and in what amounts they are consumed.

 

If you are a public housing authority applying for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, a utility consumption baseline analysis is required under part 3 of the Physical Conditions Assessment. Such an analysis is also useful for anyone who is interested in comparing the pre and post energy consumption rates after green retrofits have been installed.

 

Zeffert & Associates is one of the largest (if not THE) largest provider of baselines for the Green Retrofit Program. We have the Experience and Systems in place to complete your Utility Consumption Baseline Analysis. Our firm possesses:

• The largest database of utility rates in the country
• The methodology and experience to retrieve utility bill histories in the most timely fashion
• The proper methodology to take into account various factors that can affect energy consumption. For example, Weather Normalization is a mathematical process for adjusting actual energy data so it represents energy typically used in an average year for the same location. Zeffert & Associates will carefully account for weather differences from year to year that may result in abnormally high or low energy consumption at the property. We have the tools to quickly and accurately perform this process - others do not
• Great working relationships with participating administrative entities in HUD
• Credibility of having consulted with HUD on the methodology for calculating baselines

 

Please note, that parts 1, 2, and 4 of the Physical Condition Assessment will need to be conducted by an alternate contractor/engineer as our firm does not provide these services.

 

Our consistent and quality service has resulted in delighted clients. Such testimony is available below.

"Dear Mr. Zeffert,

I want to tell you what a pleasure it was to work with Christopher.  I now understand why Tracy Simons [oversees RAD program on behalf of the Gil Group] so highly recommended working with him and your company.

For a little background my husband is the engineer who does the majority of the Gill Group Property Needs Assessments.  Four years ago when the Green Program started he did those reports that had a little utility info.  We did not know that there were more utility requirements and you filled the bill.  In December the meeting in WA said the reports were basically the same.  We bid on the work accordingly(we are finding out lots of other companies are in the same boat of misunderstanding).  Much to our shock all the utility info was required.  We have had challenges getting the bills, etc and were completely frustrated.  Last week Tracy mentioned that in the future we need to select a company and have the work done.  We did not know your company existed.  Tracy mentioned three companies.  I asked her if she prefers working with one.  She said yours.  Yesterday I spoke to Christopher because we were stuck on the Weather Normalized Adjustment Factor.  I was very frustrated by this time.  I see no reason that people who know of you would be as frustrated as I was.  Therefore, there is no need for an extra patient employee.  Enter Christopher.  He assured me he would get the numbers by the end of the day.  I made a few follow up calls with questions.  Each time he patiently explained the procedure.  He even talked to Robert Robinson who is in charge of this program at HUD.  In a very nice way he explained why he could not do the Occupancy Adjustment Factor.

The bottom line is that Christopher is a perfect person to deal with your clients.  I look forward to working with him when we do another RAD RPCA.  The Gill Group prides it self on being on time and because of Christopher this project will be."

-Kay Rozman

Rozman Consultants

 

Clients can rely on our firm to conduct UCBAs with accuracy and efficiency. Contact us today to schedule your analysis today!

Christopher Bedell

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

866-760-6000

The success of affordable housing assets is a long-term proposition.
The investments made by developers, lenders, owners and the public net the greatest benefit through effective long range planning to ensure project viability, sustainability, and renewal.

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Zeffert & Associates has a reputation for providing exceptional services for our clients in an incredibly cost effective way.  Our firm continues to exceed expectations by assuring compliance with Fair Housing, ADA and all local and state accessibility requirements.  Let us fix costly accessibility code violations before they occur on your next multi-family and/or commercial development.

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Zeffert & Associates is committed to providing exceptional compliance services at unbeatable prices. Our Package Program stands by this commitment and provides management companies with exactly what is needed. 

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FILE REVIEWS
People make mistakes. That is why those that do detailed work need to have a second set of eyes to check for inevitable errors. It is critical that tax credit certifications be correct. That can be assured if the documents are reviewed by experienced people. We provide this service when your current monitoring procedure is non-existent, not working well or too expensive. Fax us your certifications with all the documents. We will review them and respond with either an approval or detailed comments on the problems within 48 hours (or less).

Two State agencies, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA), trust us to review Tax Credit files for them. Our founder also worked for the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) for 18 years. Our work with state agencies has given us a lot of insight into how they view Tax Credit files and how to avoid those dreaded 8823s.

Our service includes a monthly "120 day notice of units to be recertified" and the "annual occupancy report," customized for the state. We also track multiple set-asides, mixed use and 140% rule.

CERTIFICATIONS
How would you like it if you never had to worry about the Tax Credit training or accuracy of site managers? The certification process can actually be moved off-site. The site staff takes applications and sends them to us with the necessary signed releases. We complete the certification processing and qualify the household (or not). We return the certification document(s) to the site to be signed. We perform the re-certifications and produce the annual occupancy report. Your site manager is a leasing and tenant service agent - no need for a compliance department.

You provide us the following:
•    Location (street address), city, state, zip
•    Name & phone number of site manager
•    Date of last audit (if known)
•    RD Area Office

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