How the split works
Tenant share = (unit’s number ÷ building total) × bill. The number is the unit’s square footage, occupants or bedrooms. The hybrid method averages square footage and occupants 50/50. Shares are rounded so they add up to the bill exactly.
Worked example: square footage with a vacant unit
A $180.40 water bill covers three units totalling 2,400 sq ft. Unit 1B (800 sq ft) is vacant, so the owner pays its share.
| Unit | Sq ft | Calculation | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | 720 | 720 ÷ 2,400 × $180.40 | $54.12 |
| 2A | 880 | 880 ÷ 2,400 × $180.40 | $66.15 |
| 1B (vacant) | 800 | 800 ÷ 2,400 × $180.40 | $60.13, owner pays |
What happens to your bill
- Photo: never uploaded. It stays in your browser so you can read the total and type it in.
- Units: stay in your browser and are used only to work out the shares.
More free tools
- RUBS calculator: the same split with an equal-per-unit option, no upload.
- Move-out proration calculator: a tenant’s share for part of a month.
- Common-area deduction calculator: take the house meter off first.
- All free tools
Questions
How do I split a utility bill between tenants?
Pick a method, such as square footage or occupants. Divide each unit’s number by the building total, then multiply by the bill. A 720 sq ft unit in a 2,400 sq ft building pays 720 ÷ 2,400 = 30% of the bill. This tool does that for every unit and rounds to the cent so the shares add up to the bill.
Do I need an account?
No. You can split a bill without signing up. You need an account to email each tenant their share, save the property and split next month’s bill in a couple of clicks.
What happens to a photo of my bill?
It never leaves your browser. You read the total off the photo and type it in. We don’t receive or keep it.
What happens to a vacant unit’s share?
A vacant unit stays in the split and the owner pays its share, so tenants don’t pay for empty units. Its share is shown as the owner’s.
Is this legal advice?
No. The tool does the arithmetic only. Whether and how you can bill tenants for utilities depends on your lease, your state and city, and the utility. Check local rules before you bill.