Can potential lease utilities be metered out? I’m not sure who to call!
I have an empty office space I’m going to rent. How can I confirm that the gas and electric can be metered separately? Who would I call to check this for me?

Thanks!
[{"id": "iy457i7", "text": "It will have to have a separate meter for the utility provider to read. If it\u2019s all on one meter you will have to do the figures yourself. Some providers will allow separate meters to be installed after building is completed but some city code wont allow it after completion.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy45cf2", "text": "Not sure if this is a joke. I mean, wouldn't calling the utilities companies themselves make more sense than asking Reddit?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy4752s", "text": "Call reddit.\n\nMore than likely you can individually meter the spaces.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy4c627", "text": "You can separate / meter utilities without calling your utility company. \n\nThere are companies out there who will install some sub-meters on the feed that comes to your space . \n\nFor electrical, this might be fairly easy if there is a feed that comes to the empty unit. Just make sure the sub-meter is certified since this can be challenged by a sub-tenant.\n\nFor gas - I am assuming this will be for an HVAC unit. If the HVAC is only dedicated for the empty space, it would be easier to be done.\n\nIf the HVAC is split between tenants/spaces this entire process is complicated/ not possible.\n\nI have been through this process many times.", "replies": [{"id": "iy4gdu6", "text": "Are you available for consultation via a fee? I have a 22 office unit building and want to determine the feasibility and rough cost of sub metering out the office units. \n\nOur electrical bill in the summer was $3,000 and it currently sits at around $1,500.\n\nI am curious to know if there is a ROI on implementing this at our business park.", "replies": [{"id": "iy4xxix", "text": "Where are you and is the HVAC separate?", "replies": [{"id": "iy56aqc", "text": "the hvac is separate and all office units have their personal A.C unit. Southern California (inland empire) \n\nCurrently, the tenants pay $1,000 a month with all utilities included.", "replies": [{"id": "iy5qeu0", "text": "Having separate AC is more than half the battle. I would just call an electrician and see what he says about adding meters. \n\nIf your leases already spell out utilities included, you will have to renegotiate or wait for the current terms to expire.", "replies": [], "depth": 5}], "depth": 4}], "depth": 3}, {"id": "iy55rnd", "text": "Pro-rate the bill?  Ain't that hard", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "iy5tkub", "text": "I\u2019ll give you a free consultation. Submetering individual offices is not cost effective. Just bill back at a prorated share of the complex, or make your best guess at with it would be say $4500 a month on average since your high was $3000 and people will be more wasteful if they are not directly paying the bill, and include the $4500 a month in the rental rates\u2026. \n\nCheaper and easier.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "iy67exf", "text": "For an office building , the easiest way to deal with your scenario, is to have NNN leases in place and allocate all the cost based on square footage (including utilities).\n\n The new tenant won't care too much if the space is sub-metered , unless it's a high tech company with high power demand.\n\nAn electrician can give you a price for this project.\n\nSomething to keep in mind, if you separate utilities for tenant(s) , the building will still use electricity for common areas that will have to be allocated to the tenants.\n\nFrom an administrative point of view, you will need to have someone read all the meters on a monthly/quarterly basis and reconcile with the electrical bill. This will require extra work for you and your team on an ongoing basis.\n\nFeel free to DM if you have other specific questions but my advice would be to keep things simple and also fair for all the tenants.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}, {"id": "iy4mex2", "text": "You should specify your location. What you say isn't true everywhere, or at least requires the landlord to follow specific rules.", "replies": [{"id": "iy54kfk", "text": "I agree that the LL might have to follow some rules/codes but from a technical perspective this is something that could be done.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy4efzz", "text": "Are you landlord or tenant?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy54kkg", "text": "is there a property manager?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy676hs", "text": "Probably more trouble than it's worth. You can prorated based on SF and pass through to tenant.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iy6sg1p", "text": "Yes they can.  Sub metering solutions certainly work.  You can automate the tracking with software.  Local electricians / HVAC companies will have the know how.   You can alternatively pull data from HVAC system directly (valve positions) to determine tenant usage with the right control system.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "iyfo2bq", "text": "Do you already have multiple meters on your building?  Does the suite has its own dedicated hvac system?  These are things I would assume you would already know as an owner.  If the building only have one meter for each, it may be cost prohibitive to install separate meters.  Another option would be to submeter or measure usage.   If its a small suite, then it may just be easier to charge a flat annual rate based off of your historical usage.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]