Utility Billback

Utility billback (also called RUBS — Ratio Utility Billing System) is the practice of allocating master-meter utility costs across residents based on a formula such as occupancy, lot size, or estimated usage rather than direct sub-metering. Billbacks are simpler to set up than submetering but are less precise and increasingly regulated; some states cap the markup an operator can add above actual cost, and some prohibit billbacks for water or sewer. Operators considering a billback program should confirm legality in their state and disclose the calculation method clearly in the lease to avoid resident disputes.