HELP! This duplex has only 1 gas meter!

[Dottie Matheson]

Hello Everyone

I just got my offer accepted for a duplex and it is my very FIRST one purchasing.  I noticed there is only one gas meter and in the leases of the tenants says they are responsible for their portion of non metered utilities.  Questions I have:

1. Does anyone know if a duplex looses value if it only has one meter and the tenants have to share.  I would think that this would effect the amount of rent to charge them.

2. How would a landlord handle that

3.  Anyone know the cost to put in another meter?

[Al Williamson]

I like what @Andrew Meyer said.

I bet there are inline meters that can measure usage/flow.

You might be able to measure and bill accordingly. The device doesn't have to be super accurate, it only needs to show that Unit A used x portion and Unit B used y portion.