What Utilities Can I & Can't I Bill Back Tenants For?

[Gabe Goudreau]

Hello BP Community,

I'm doing some research into how to analyze utility expenses of small multifamily properties (5-20 units) and I'm confused about which utilities you can & cannot bill back to tenants. I know some landlords in my market (Lansing, MI) who bill parts, and some who are responsible for all of them. Is being able to bill back tenants more of a matter of being able to track the utilities flowing to each unit through meters/implementing a ratio utility billing system to accurately charge tenants? Or is it more dependent on local laws and ordinances? Thank you.  

[John Underwood]

Get everything metered separately and then have the utilities put in the tenants name.