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Guide Michigan (MI)

Michigan utility billing and RUBS: what landlords should know

By MeterEase · Updated

We did not find a Michigan statute on splitting a master utility bill among tenants. The state law we found deals with municipal water and sewer liens: under MCL 123.165–123.166, unpaid charges can become a lien on the property unless the landlord has a qualifying lease and files the required affidavit with the water authority. Check your lease and local rules before billing by formula.

What the Michigan sources say

  • Unpaid municipal water and sewer charges can become a lien on the property (MCL 123.166).
  • A landlord whose lease makes the tenant responsible for those charges can file an affidavit with the water or sewer authority, as described in MCL 123.165–123.166.
  • We did not find a Michigan statute that sets a RUBS method or disclosure for master-metered apartments.

Each point links to its source at the bottom of this page. Rules change, and cities, counties and utilities can add their own. Read the source before you rely on it.

Where the sources are thin

Michigan sources are thin. We found the water lien statutes but no state rule on RUBS or master-meter allocation. Check your lease and local rules.

Common lease and disclosure practices

  • State in the lease which utilities the tenant pays and how the share is set.
  • Keep the total at or below the master bill.
  • Check your lease and local rules, including your city’s water department.

Electricity and gas

For electricity and gas, check your utility’s tariff on file with the Michigan Public Service Commission.

How to split it fairly

Where a formula split is allowed, pick one method, put it in the lease, and use it every month. Water tends to follow the number of people, so occupants or a blend of occupants and square footage is common. Trash is usually split equally per unit. Take common-area use out first if your rules call for it, and never bill tenants more in total than the master bill plus any fee your rules allow.

Not legal advice. This page summarizes public sources in plain English as of the date above. It is not legal advice and does not mean any billing method complies with the law for your property. Check your lease and local rules, and talk to a Michigan attorney if you are unsure.

Other states

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.

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Questions

Can Michigan landlords split a water bill among tenants?

We did not find a Michigan statute that addresses it. Check your lease and local rules. This is general information, not legal advice.

What is the Michigan water lien affidavit?

MCL 123.165–123.166 describe how unpaid municipal water and sewer charges become a lien, and the affidavit a landlord can file when the lease makes the tenant responsible.

Where can I check local rules?

Start with your city or township water department and your lease.

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.