The cleanest split is no split: whenever you can, buy properties where every unit has its own meters. Separate metering means each tenant pays their own gas, electric, and water directly. That's how our own multi-unit rentals are set up, and it removes the disputes, the accounting, and the awkward conversations before they start. If you're still shopping, treat separate meters as a real point in a property's favor. When meters are shared, you need a method that's written into the lease and feels fair, because tenants accept a formula they understood upfront far better than a surprise charge. One approach we've seen work well: - Take the shared water, sewer, and trash bill and divide it by occupancy rather than by unit, so a two-person household pays more than a one-person household. - Base the amount on the property's historical average and write it into each lease as a preset figure. - Update it once a year as real costs change. Whatever method you pick, keep it identical across units and revisit it annually so it tracks actual costs. Landlord-tenant and utility billing rules vary by state and city, and some jurisdictions regulate exactly how shared utilities can be allocated, so confirm your local rules with a landlord-tenant attorney or your local housing authority before you finalize the lease language.