Duplex

[Derone Patterson]

My question is I'm a first time home buyer and I want to buy a duplex. Is it ok to have the tenant pay for all utilities plus water. I feel I shouldn't have to pay for anyone else's utility usage. 

[Kelly N.]

Hello Derone,

You can have the tenants pay for whatever you want them to pay for, just make sure it is clear to them and spelled out in their lease.  If there are separate meters it is much easier, otherwise you have to devise a way to split the utilities.  

Some tenants prefer the landlord pay the utilities, especially gas in cold climates, that way they know what the monthly expense will be no matter what.  I have also seen a lease clause stating that the landlord would cover the first $XX dollars of the gas and electric bill, then the tenant would be charged any over that amount.

Kelly