Make sure to start on good footing.Right from the start separate you personal money and business money. 

I wasn't sure if I need a separate gas meter for that.

I suspect your Landlord is just trying to justify keeping your deposit.The laminate starts to separate over time and - since it's right in front of the sink - water gets inside.

People are starting to figure out that for a few more dollars, they can have their own little house with a kitchen separate beds, back yard, etc.....And the STR market has been primarily younger folks to this point (in my experience) I'm seeing more and more 50s/60s/70s folks staying at their first STR and marveling at the concept.

We are debating installing separate laundry on the main floor so that we don't need to share the space. 

We are debating installing separate laundry on the main floor so that we don't need to share the space. 

Title to the premises is separately alienable from any other dwelling unit (SFR or condo), and 6.

It was tough for me to run the numbers on this property because I didn't know how to deal with a situation like this where there wasn't a separate meter, water heater, etc., for each unit.

If each partner contributes cash but only one partner contributes labor or expertise, then I recommend you split the cash flow and equity based on the percentage of ownership at the time of purchase, and then pay yourself separately for your labor. 

The flat fee for utilities, is that due to not being separately metered?