Regulations governing the ability of multifamily rental property owners to bill residents for their water consumption vary from state to state. Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS) and submetering represent the two most high-profile methods used by owners of these properties to directly bill residents for water consumption.
Few states address the issue of resident water billing statutorily. In some states and localities, utility regulators have attempted to curb the ability of multifamily rental property owners to directly bill residents for water consumption, alleging the practice amounts to the resource's sale or resale. In such cases, regulators have sought to require owners to either cease the practice or register as a public utility.
Should you require more information about this issue, please contact us at 703/518-6141.