Tenants Not Paying Sub Metered Property

[Steven Scott]

Hello BP Community.

I am in talks to purchase a 20+ unit apartment building in So Cal for 1,450,000. 

I went over the property operations and agent just disclosed units are sub-metered for electricity.  Agent said that people are paying rent but they are having a problem with people not paying their portion of the electric bill. Usually over the summer when the AC is on.  In fact 5 tenants are multiple months behind owing $300+.

Does anyone have experience with enforcing the submeterd apts bill? Can you cut off their power? How easy is it to evict a person if rent is up to date, but electric is not paid? What about tenants then questioning the bill, saying its inaccurate?

Any insight would be very appreciated!