Guide Washington (WA)
Washington utility billing and RUBS: what landlords should know
We did not find a Washington statute that sets RUBS rules statewide. Seattle regulates billing tenants for master-metered utilities, including RUBS, in Seattle Municipal Code chapter 7.25, with advance notice, a written methodology and limits on charges. Outside Seattle, check your lease and local rules.
What the Washington sources say
- Seattle Municipal Code chapter 7.25 covers landlords and billing agents who bill tenants for master-metered or unmetered utilities, including RUBS.
- Under SMC 7.25, billing practices are adopted only with advance written notice (at least 90 days) as part of a new or renewed rental agreement, with a detailed written methodology, including how common areas are handled.
- Statewide bills on third-party utility billing and water submetering have been introduced in the Legislature; we did not find one that was enacted.
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
Washington sources are thin statewide. Seattle has a detailed ordinance; we did not find an enacted state statute on RUBS. Check your lease and local rules.
Common lease and disclosure practices
- In Seattle, follow SMC 7.25’s notice, methodology and posting rules.
- Elsewhere, state the utilities, method and any fee in the lease. Check your lease and local rules.
- Keep the total at or below the master bill.
Electricity and gas
Seattle’s chapter covers electric service too, subject to its own rules on submetering electricity. Elsewhere, check with your utility.
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.
- Run your units through the free RUBS calculator to see each tenant’s share.
- Compare methods in square footage vs occupants.
- Send each tenant the master bill total, the method, their factor and their amount. The tenant utility bill template shows a layout.
- Want it done every month? Sign up for MeterEase and it emails each tenant their share with the source bill attached, after you check the numbers.
Other states
- Arizona utility billing
- California utility billing
- Colorado utility billing
- Florida utility billing
- Georgia utility billing
- Illinois utility billing
- Massachusetts utility billing
- Michigan utility billing
- Nevada utility billing
- New York utility billing
- North Carolina utility billing
- Ohio utility billing
- Oregon utility billing
- Pennsylvania utility billing
- Texas utility billing
- Virginia utility billing
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
Is RUBS legal in Washington?
We did not find a statewide statute that addresses it. Seattle regulates it in SMC chapter 7.25. Check your lease and local rules. This is general information, not legal advice.
What notice does Seattle require?
SMC 7.25 requires advance written notice, at least 90 days, as part of a new or renewed rental agreement, with a detailed written methodology.
What about other Washington cities?
Check your city’s code and your lease.
Related guides
- Free RUBS calculator
- MeterEase pricing
- Utility billing rules by state
- What is RUBS?
- Square footage vs occupants
- What to check before you bill tenants