Utilities to be split in single family home/duplex

[Account Closed]

My boyfriend and I just closed on a single family home that is only a stairwell away from being a duplex.  We are going to rent the upstairs out and house hack the second level.  We do not know if we should include power/gas with the rent or ask the renter to split the amount with us monthly.  Advice??

[Deanna McCormick]

Include the cost with the rent, and go month to month.. unless it has separate meters, you can adjust the rent to factor the utilities if needed.. you can find last years utilities costs by calling utility company's and getting a monthly print out.  included trash service and costs for that also.