The meter is connected to the internet and I can monitor water usage by the hour, day, week, month, and year.

You'd have to look at proximity to panels, metering, etc there too as you'd have some load (copper wires) to likely pull.It typically costs a lot more to heat using electricity vs NG, so I guess you'd be passing that along to the tenants?

Great info/points.I would own the lines from the water meter to the MH, Electric from the meter down to the MH, and the sewer lines that are on the property.

If you're a tenant reading this, when you move in, check the little wheel on the water meter and make so no water is being used when the house is vacant.

But all my units have separate meters for both electricity and water. 

If it is built after a certain year they require that you put in individual meters instead.

Is there a source for the following data;  I am looking for the "norm" for the expense ratio (based on either GPR or Gross Income) for individually metered garden style apartments in the south east and the mid Atlantic (Region IV) : Marketing Insurance Janitorial Service Lawn/Snow Licenses Miscellaneous Professional Fees Accounting Legal Property Management Fees Repairs and Maintenance Resident Superintendent Salaries and Wages Supplies Taxes Real Estate Personal Property Payroll Other Trash Removal Utilities Electricity Fuel Oil Gas Sewer and Water Telephone Other (whatever I missed)

Or if the unit (multi family) has one meter for the whole unit vs multiple units.

I'm also looking at installing a smart water meter system to bill back water to tenants as well.

@mau pan not sure how the laws work in pa but in Georgia you legally own the property the day of the foreclosure auction even though it can take several weeks or even months for the attorney to prepare and record the deed.So I always immediately get insurance, put utilities in my name and if it's vacant, get physical control and change the locks.Regarding the possibility of leaks, I always ask the water company to put service in my name, unlock the meter but leave it turned off at the meter.You can the turn it on yourself with a curb-key or a decent pair of pliers.