There are lenders that will allow group usages but I’d imagine most are residential and can be financed with a DSCR or other alternative income verification such as bank statements  or an updated P&L.

So, I wonder if one could convince them to connect it and monitor it . . . it gives feedback on their water usage so they may be interested in knowing since they are paying the water bill. 

The problem is the water usage is for 4 units and determining how much to charge a tenant for an overage is tricky.

The reason why I am confused is because of their usage of "single family dwelling".

What are you calling your usage of the apps?

Im in Massachusetss so I had Mass save (program to help with energy usage paid for by the utility companies) come through to do an energy assessment and identified there is little insulation in the entire building and that there is a lot of knob and tube wiring throughout the property.

How far would one water meter go as far as usage?

As soon as you buy a property it will begin to drop due to credit usage, but that's ok... that's what it supposed to do.Unfortunately in today's rate environment it is difficult at best to find good deals in about 95% of the country.  

I am totally understanding the phrase, what is free is often waisted because the tenant is not frugal when it comes to utility usage.

The record is not terrible, but I'm not a fan of their model because it targets investors for whom these are wholly inappropriate investments.