Two properties but one set of utilities

[Mario Nunez]

Purchased a property with a mother in laws qtr in the rear.

Front is 1,039 sq ft and will be a 3/1 from a 2/1.

Rear is a studio style apartment that was finished by the first ever owners. Just updated overtime.

It is 568 sqft

However the issue we have is zoning in this area does not allow two living quarters on one property. Simple solution is to connect both units by using a breezeway and call it good.. problem is that in order to have separate electric it can’t be considered a living quarter.. it can only be a garage.

Simplified

Living quarter = no separate utilities.

Separate utilities= it has to be a garage, so no living quarters.

Do most people just run one month of extreme bill usage and charge that? Live in the rear and add that on top of rent? What happens when I move to the next property and decide to rent both? Who are the bills under and how do I split them?