Charging utilities when I’m living in in law suite (ethical/legal)

[Josiah Horn]

My current home (SFH) I am splitting into a temporary "duplex" as the master has a private bath and separate entrance. I will be renting the remaining 3b1ba as an apartment until I save enough for my next property in approx 6months-1yr.

I would like to just rent it out as a standard apartment rent + utilities as to avoid wasteful practices with heat/electric. However as this is temporary can I just have them pay all of the utilities even though a heat vent goes to the in law suite and electric will be all on one meter. 

[Theresa Harris]

Split the costs.  Depending on what the utilities are, let that determine how you split it.  For example for water, if there are two people upstairs and you in the suite, split them 67% upstairs and 33% for you.  I figure 2 people will use twice as much water as 1 person.