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Utility Rebill Margin Calculator
RUBS and utility rebilling can add meaningful recovery margin to NOI.
Monthly rebill margin
$5,480
Recovery rate
1.1%
Margin per unit / mo
$18
How the math works
Admin fee = rebilled × fee %. Margin = (rebilled + admin fee) − master cost.
$31k + 8% admin ($2,480) = $33,480 total billed. $33,480 − $28k master = $5,480/mo margin, $18/unit.
How to Use
- Enter master-meter utility cost.
- Enter rebilled amount to residents.
- Enter admin fee %.
- Enter unit count.
- Read rebill margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
RUBS vs submetering?
RUBS (Ratio Utility Billing System) allocates master-meter utilities by formula — typically unit area, occupancy count, or fixed ratio. Simpler, cheaper setup, less accurate. Submetering installs a meter per unit, bills actuals, usually with a third-party service (Conservice, NWP, YES Energy). More accurate, costs $250-800 per meter setup, ongoing $3-8/unit/month. Submetering recovers 15-25% more than RUBS on average due to conservation behavior.
What utilities can be rebilled?
Water/sewer: almost universally billable. Trash: usually billable. Valet trash (door-to-door): $15-35/unit/mo, popular add-on, 90%+ margin. Gas (for water heat/cooking): billable in some markets. Electricity: rare to rebill bulk electric (usually master-metered to common areas only). Common area electric: eaten by landlord, not passed through. Internet/cable: bulk bundle (separate product) not rebill.
Legal framework?
Most states allow RUBS and submetering if written into lease at move-in. Some (California, New Jersey, DC) require specific disclosures or cap admin fees. Texas and Florida are especially friendly. HUD-subsidized properties face separate rules. Hire a utility-billing attorney to review lease addenda — lost years of recovery happen from unenforceable rebills due to improper disclosure.
Admin fee structure?
Most states cap admin fees at 5-15% of the billed amount. This compensates for billing setup, invoice generation, collections. Third-party service providers (Conservice, NWP, RealPage Utility Management) charge $3-8/unit/mo but typically bundle billing + collection + compliance — net landlord benefit still strong. Self-billing is cheaper but admin-intensive; institutional operators universally outsource.
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