How to split utilities

[Shawna Alvarez]

We just purchased a house in Hollywood, Florida. We are going to house hack by living in the attached in-law studio suite while we rent out the front 2bed/1bath. I need to know where to look to find a lease, and how to create a legal addendum for the additional issues I want to address. I need to find a knowledgeable, reputable real estate attorney to make sure we are doing everything correctly. 

We need help figuring out how to do the utility bills. Unfortunately, nothing is split meter at this time. I do plan on putting an electricity meter into the studio so it can be read, and then deducted from the power bill. We were originally going to keep the bills in our name, but our electrician warned us to have the tenant put it in their name as the tenant has the potential ability to rack up the bill since it's not in their name. Not sure how address these bills. I don't think the main tenant will want to have the responsibility. 

I want to rent out the studio in the near future as well (next 1-2 years), as a short-term rental for either Airbnb or to traveling medical professionals. I imagine having the bills in the main house tenant's name will be a turn off for them if there is a short term tenant in the back.