I recently learned that even collecting first and last follows similar guidelines where we should be opening a separate account to allow for interest etc.  

It sometimes easier to keep your funds under one bank, but in separate accounts.

Well a bank isn't going to lend to a LLC with no history or assets, and since the IRS doesn't consider a LLC a separate entity the bank might not either. 

2) Will I need a separate program for background checks and what should they cost? 

The best way to do it is in a separate bank account LLC or not.  

In the fourplex I lived in, the owner was extra awesome and provided poop bags and a small separate waster container.

If the units aren't separately metered and there isn't a RUBS in place, then you definitely need multiple years of expenses to make an informed decision.There is really a lot to learn about multifamily, and I would say it's more important to build a strong team than it is to learn every detail.

Everything else like bills and monthly payments are in a separate account.

Splitting to separate meters can cost an arm and a leg if you aren’t careful.

I came to conclusion to make thing better, I will be separating utilities meaning get a new boiler and new water heater for each unit so each tenant can be responsible for their own utilities, it will be costly to get a new boiler and new water heater but I think it will pay off in the long runAny advice on separating utilities, what type of boiler and how big should it be for each unit?