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Guide Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania utility billing and RUBS: what landlords should know

By MeterEase · Updated

We did not find a Pennsylvania statute that sets a RUBS method. The state law we found protects tenants when a landlord who is the utility customer falls behind (the Utility Service Tenants Rights Act, 66 Pa.C.S. §§ 1521–1533). Check your lease and local rules before billing by formula.

What the Pennsylvania sources say

  • The Utility Service Tenants Rights Act (66 Pa.C.S. §§ 1521–1533) sets notice and tenant rights when a landlord who is the utility’s customer does not pay and service may be shut off.
  • The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s tenant-landlord guide covers utilities in rentals.
  • We did not find a Pennsylvania statute that sets RUBS methods or disclosures 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

Pennsylvania sources are thin for RUBS. We found the tenant protection law and Attorney General guidance, not an allocation rule. 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 Philadelphia and other city codes.

Electricity and gas

For electricity and gas, check your utility’s tariff with the Pennsylvania Public Utility 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania landlords split a water bill among tenants?

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

What is the Utility Service Tenants Rights Act?

A Pennsylvania law, 66 Pa.C.S. §§ 1521–1533, that gives tenants notice and rights when a landlord who is the utility’s customer falls behind.

Where can I read more?

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s tenant-landlord guide, linked below.

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.