Tenant washers in units

[Wesley W.]

Hi All,

I'm soon to own a small multi-family property that has W/D hookups in the units, and the current tenants all have their own washers.  The disclosed annual water bill is $2000, which via local custom is paid by the landlord.

In an attempt to curb expenses, my real estate agent suggested that many landlords charge a monthly fee for tenants' washers hooked up to the units.

My question is for those in markets with water billed to the landlord, how do you handle the extra water usage?  Do you charge additional rent in anticipation that the W/D hookups will be used?  Do you have a lease addendum that charges a specific amount for the use of water to wash clothes?  If so, what is the amount?  Is that cost per unit?  Per bedroom?

Trying not to reinvent the wheel. 

Thanks in advance!!