I'm buying a 4-plex, friend is buying the one next door

[Jon Fields]

Hi Everyone!

I'm looking to do my first investment deal on a 4plex in Northern California. I need a bit of help from the BP community as there is a bit of trickiness in the deal.

There are two 4-plexes on two parcels right next to one another. I'd like to buy one, and a friend of mine is buying the other. So far this seems straight forward

The two 4-plexes look identical and share a laundry room and common backyard. At first I thought it was an 8-plex but they are two separate properties and designated as 4-plexes. 

My question is how do my friend and I go about structuring our relationship when it comes to the laundry room and shared backyard expenses. 

Because this is my first deal I dont really want to complicate this buy having a formal partnership or joint LLC. However I'm a newb so that may be required.

Any help would be appreciated. 

-Jon