Guide Meters

How to submeter a duplex (and when RUBS is enough)

By MeterEase · Updated

Submetering a duplex means adding a meter on each unit’s line so you can bill each tenant for measured use. Before you buy hardware, check two things: whether the utility will give each unit its own meter instead, and what your state requires for submeters on that utility. Where formula billing is allowed, RUBS may be enough.

Separate meter or submeter?

  • Separate utility meter. The utility meters and bills each unit. You step out of billing for that utility. It can mean splitting the plumbing or wiring into separate services.
  • Submeter. You own a meter downstream of the utility’s master meter. You read it, bill from it, and keep it accurate. The utility still bills you for the whole building.

Steps for a submeter

  1. Check your state and city rules for that utility. Some examples are below.
  2. Ask the utility. Some utilities have rules on resale or submetering, and some will add a meter.
  3. Map the lines. A submeter only works if each unit’s supply can be isolated. Shared water heaters, a shared boiler or a common laundry can complicate it.
  4. Hire a licensed installer. A plumber for water, an electrician for electric. Some states require it.
  5. Put it in the lease. Describe the meters, the reading schedule, what is charged, and how common-area use and the utility’s fixed charges are handled.
  6. Read and bill on a schedule. Keep the readings, the master bill and each tenant’s calculation together.

What some states say about submeters

  • Massachusetts: a licensed plumber installs water submeters that measure each unit’s exclusive use, and the landlord certifies compliance, including water-conserving fixtures, to the local board of health before charging (M.G.L. c. 186, § 22).
  • Delaware: utility meters used to bill tenants may be inspected by and must be approved by the Division of Weights and Measures (25 Del. C. § 5312).
  • California: landlords billing water from submeters give written disclosures before the lease (Civil Code § 1954.204), and § 1954.205 lists what may be charged.
  • New York: residential electric submetering needs Public Service Commission authorization (16 NYCRR § 96.2).
  • Minnesota: submetered electricity and gas follow §§ 216B.022 to 216B.024 (Minn. Stat. § 504B.216, subd. 3).
  • Texas: the PUC’s water submetering and allocation rules are for apartment houses, and its reference sheet says duplexes do not qualify. Ask the PUC how that applies to your building.

See your state guide for details and sources.

When RUBS is enough

Where your state allows formula billing, a ratio split by occupants or square footage needs no hardware, no meter reads and no meter upkeep. The trade-off is that a tenant’s share follows the formula, not their own use. Compare the two in RUBS vs submetering, and test a split in the RUBS calculator.

Run this split every month without the spreadsheet

MeterEase reads the master bill PDF, applies your method and vacancy rule, and emails each tenant their share with the source bill attached, after you check the numbers, unless you turn on auto-send for a property. Plans start at $14/month.

Sign upSign in

Questions

Can I submeter a duplex?

Often, but the rules depend on the utility type and the state. Some states require approved meters, licensed installers or regulator approval, and some set what a landlord may charge from submeter readings. This is general information, not legal advice.

Is a separate utility meter better than a submeter?

A separate meter from the utility puts each unit on its own account, so you are out of the billing. A submeter belongs to you, so you read it, bill from it and maintain it. Which is possible depends on your plumbing or wiring and on the utility.

When is RUBS enough instead of submetering?

Where formula billing is allowed, many owners of smaller buildings use RUBS because it needs no hardware. Submetering bills actual use, which some tenants see as fairer. See RUBS vs submetering.

Does MeterEase read submeters?

No. MeterEase is built for splitting a master bill by formula. It does not install or read submeters.

Related guides

Sources

Example numbers on this page are made up to show the math. This guide is general information, not legal advice; rules differ by state, city and utility.