Guide State guides
Utility billing and RUBS rules by state
Whether landlords can bill tenants back for water, sewer, trash or electricity depends on the state, and often the city. Each guide below summarizes what that state’s statutes and agencies say, links to them, and flags where the sources are thin. They are general information, not legal advice.
State guides
| State | In short |
|---|---|
| Arizona | A plain-English look at A.R.S. 33-1314.01, RUBS methods, lease disclosures and admin fees. |
| California | Water submeter rules (Civil Code 1954.201+), shared-meter disclosure, and what to check before using RUBS. |
| Florida | What Fla. Stat. 367.022, PSC Rule 25-6.049 and 83.67 say, plus local rules like Miami-Dade’s. |
| Georgia | O.C.G.A. 12-5-180.1 on allocation, the post-2012 metering rule, and lease disclosure. |
| Nevada | What NRS chapter 118A says about master-metered water, lease disclosure, and mobile home park rules. |
| New York | Electric submetering under 16 NYCRR Part 96, shared meters (PSL 52), and what to check for water. |
| North Carolina | G.S. 42-42.1, NCUC water resale rules for apartments, and why RUBS is not allowed for water there. |
| Texas | PUC allocation rules (16 TAC 24.281), approved formulas, Water Code 13.503 and lease disclosure. |
Before you bill in any state
- Put the utilities, the method and any fee in the lease.
- Keep the total billed to tenants at or below the master bill plus any fee your rules allow.
- Show each tenant the master bill, the method and their factor.
- Never shut off a tenant’s utilities to collect.
Try the math in the free RUBS calculator, or read what to check before you bill.
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. Plans start at $14/month.
Questions
Can landlords charge tenants for water?
In many states, yes, if the lease says so and the method follows state and local rules. Some states spell out allowed formulas, some require submeters, and some say little. Check your lease and local rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
Is RUBS legal in every state?
No single answer covers every state. Arizona and Texas, for example, list allowed methods, while North Carolina’s Utilities Commission does not allow RUBS for water in apartment complexes unless it authorizes it. Read your state’s guide and its sources.
Why does this page not list my state yet?
We are adding states one at a time and only publish what we can tie to an official or primary source.