Each consumer of water in the city shall be required to have a separate meter; provided, that one (1) meter may be used for tenant houses of single ownership. Several premises, apartments, blocks of stores, shops, and tenant houses which are the property of the same owner may use only one (1) meter; provided that the structure existed at the time of adoption of this chapter. In case the ownership of one (1) or more of such premises shall pass to another person, separate meters shall be required. In instances of one (1) meter serving several premises, the owner of the property shall be responsible for payment of charges forservice.