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Guide Virginia (VA)

Virginia utility billing and RUBS: what landlords should know

By MeterEase · Updated

Virginia’s landlord-tenant act defines and allows RUBS. Va. Code § 55.1-1212 lets a residential building owner allocate water, sewer, electric, oil or gas bills among tenants with a ratio utility billing system, using square footage, occupancy, bedrooms or another method agreed in the lease, and limits fees and late charges.

What the Virginia sources say

  • A ratio utility billing system allocates actual or anticipated water, sewer, electric, oil or natural gas bills among tenants by formula (Va. Code § 55.1-1212).
  • Permitted methods include square footage, occupancy, number of bedrooms, or another specific method agreed in the rental agreement.
  • Billing, setup or move-out fees may be charged to cover actual third-party administrative costs if agreed in the lease.
  • A late charge of up to $5 is allowed, no earlier than 15 days after the bill is mailed or delivered.
  • The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act lets a landlord use RUBS if the rental agreement provides for it, and requires allocation details in tenant records on request.

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.

Common lease and disclosure practices

  • The rental agreement provides for RUBS and states the method.
  • Any billing, setup or move-out fees are agreed in the lease.
  • Keep records of each allocation so you can provide them if a tenant asks.

Electricity and gas

Electricity is on the statute’s list. Check your utility’s terms as well.

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 Virginia 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

Is RUBS legal in Virginia?

Va. Code § 55.1-1212 defines ratio utility billing and allows owners to use it under the rental agreement. This is general information, not legal advice.

What late fee can a Virginia landlord charge on a RUBS bill?

Up to $5, and not before 15 days after the bill is mailed or delivered.

Which RUBS methods are allowed in Virginia?

Square footage, occupancy, number of bedrooms, or another specific method agreed in the 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.