Utilities covered by landlord

[Stephen Watkins]

So I'm looking at two properties, one a triplex the other a duplex, with shared utilities between the units respectively. The current owners have been paying utilities. They are sending me the averages this week. I'll also do my due dillegence checking on them too of course. Is there any way I can insulate myself from spikes caused by tenants? I know I could separate meters but that would be last resort.