Skip to main content
Utility billing since 1968
Sales (800) 572-7060Service (800) 488-1748

RUBS Billing Method for Apartments in Aurora, Illinois

Last reviewed by Grant Forehand, Compliance Officer · September 2026

RUBS (Ratio Utility Billing System) divides a property's master utility bill among residents by a fair formula. Here is how it works in Aurora and what the rules require.

Get a free bid (800) 572-7060
Privately owned since
1968Privately owned since
States served
43+States served
Typical utility savings
15-40%Typical utility savings
In-house support
BilingualIn-house support

RUBS stands for Ratio Utility Billing System, a formula that divides a property’s master utility bill among residents. NES sets up RUBS for apartment communities, condominiums, and mobile home parks across Aurora and the Chicago area, and where RUBS is not the right fit we install submetering instead, all handled in-house since 1968.

Yes. RUBS billing is allowed in Aurora, Illinois.

Residents get the written formula, the total cannot exceed the utility bill, and NES handles it for you.

How RUBS works
  • Fair allocation formula

    RUBS divides the property's master utility bill among units by occupancy, square footage, or a blend that fits the property.

  • No submeters required

    RUBS works in older buildings where meters cannot be added, so it is fast and low cost to start.

  • Capped at the master bill

    Residents are billed only for their share, never more than the property's actual utility cost, and the bill is itemized.

Rules & compliance

Is RUBS billing allowed in Aurora?

Governing rule: 765 ILCS 740 (utility allocation disclosure); utility tariffs for electric and gas · Illinois Commerce Commission

Illinois RUBS rules

  • RUBS is allowed in Illinois for water, with residents billed by a written allocation formula that covers everyone who uses the service
  • Under the Tenant Utility Payment Disclosure Act (765 ILCS 740), the owner must give residents the formula and the total billed cannot exceed the utility's charge
  • Electric RUBS is not an option in ComEd or Ameren Illinois territory, whose tariffs prohibit reselling or redistributing power to residents, and the major gas utilities' tariffs prohibit gas submetering and resale
  • From January 1, 2027, any required fee, including a billing fee, must be listed on the first page of the lease (Public Act 104-0479)
  • Owners must give at least 30 days notice before switching residents to tenant-paid utilities (765 ILCS 735/1.2)
  • For exact, per-unit water billing, submetering is the alternative

RUBS in Aurora

  • Water is provided by the City of Aurora, electricity by ComEd, and natural gas by Nicor Gas
  • RUBS billing is allowed in Aurora for water and electric, with residents billed by a fair formula and never more than the master utility bill
  • For exact, per-unit billing, submetering is available as an alternative, and NES installs and bills either way
  • NES verifies the rules for your exact address before we start

Official sources: Illinois Commerce Commission · 765 ILCS 735 (Rental Property Utility Service Act) · 765 ILCS 740 (Tenant Utility Payment Disclosure Act)

General information only, not legal advice; NES assumes no liability for reliance. Confirm current rules with the Illinois Commerce Commission or a qualified attorney.

RUBS vs submetering: which fits Aurora?

RUBS estimates each unit's share with a formula. Submetering measures each unit's actual use with a meter. RUBS is faster and lower cost to start and works where meters cannot be added; submetering is more precise and is required in some places. NES does both and will recommend the one that fits your property and the local rules.

Compare submetering

Submetering in nearby Illinois cities

NES installs and runs submetering across Illinois. See the rules and results for other communities we serve.

Common questions

RUBS billing in Aurora

RUBS stands for Ratio Utility Billing System. It divides a property's master utility bill among residents using a fair formula, usually based on the number of occupants, the unit's square footage, or a blend of both. No submeters are required, which makes it a fast, low-cost way to stop absorbing utility costs. NES sets up the formula, sends resident bills, and supports residents in-house.

See what your Aurora property can recover.

Send us your master-meter bills and unit count. We’ll model RUBS or submetering on your actual property and reply within one business day with a clear, no-obligation estimate.

  • No-obligation custom proposal
  • Compliance check included
  • RUBS or submetering, your choice
Get a free bid (800) 572-7060
Free assessment

Get a free bid for your property

Tell us about your Aurora property and we’ll respond within one business day.

Live at a property NES bills?

By submitting, you agree to our terms and privacy policy and to calls, texts, and emails from NES about your request, including automated ones; consent is not a condition of purchase, msg & data rates may apply, and you can reply STOP to opt out. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

or call us directly: (800) 572-7060