How to write a lease with utilities included?

[Tony Robledo]

I’m a first time landlord about to rent out 2 units in Oak Park, IL.

I was planning on using the lease agreement template available on Avail, but I have a custom amendment I need to add and I want to make sure it is written well...

Because of the layout of the utilities in the building, we have to include major utilities (gas & electric) in the cost of the rent.

When I was marketing the property, I updated the listing to show a lower rent, plus the clause about fixed utility cost. But now it’s a bit harder to draft the lease... Do I just let the tenant know that the total rent includes those utilities? Or go through the trouble of drafting a lease with specific addendums?

TIA for any tips!