Utilities for small landlords (2–20 units): who pays what

For small properties the biggest savings are simple: put accounts in the right names, bill back what the lease allows, and catch leaks early.

For: Owners of duplexes, small apartment buildings and single-family rentals

With a handful of units, every utility the owner pays comes straight off the return. Most of the savings come from a few habits.

Checklist

Make sure separately metered services are in the tenant's name from move-in day.
For shared meters, check what your lease and local rules allow you to bill back, and bill it consistently.
Read the water bill every month for a jump in use; small buildings show leaks clearly.
Ask each utility for e-billing and autopay so late fees never start.
Keep the bills: they make the annual tax workbook and any lender package much easier.

How Conduit helps

Conduit has a simpler small-property mode: bills by email, leak and late-fee alerts, and a clean yearly cost summary per property.