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RUBS Billing Method for Apartments in Columbus, Ohio

Last reviewed by NES Editorial · 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 Columbus and what the rules require.

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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 Columbus and the Columbus 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 Columbus, Ohio.

Bill at the utility's rate with no markup on the energy, 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 Columbus?

Governing rule: Ohio Rev. Code Title 49 (third-party electricity resale regulated) · PUCO

Ohio RUBS rules

  • RUBS for water is generally allowed in Ohio, with no statewide prohibition, and bills must clearly show the method
  • In April 2026 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in Ohio Power Co. v. Nationwide Energy Partners that a third-party company reselling electricity to residents is a public utility subject to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), which is still working out the details
  • NES bills residents at the utility's own rate with no markup on the energy
  • Some cities restrict RUBS. Cleveland's landlord-tenant code bars billing a tenant for electric, gas, or water without a meter that measures just their unit, so the method has to be checked for each address
  • Where exact, per-unit billing is the goal, submetering is the alternative

RUBS in Columbus

  • RUBS for water is used in Columbus, with no state or city rule prohibiting it, and the bill should clearly show the method
  • Water is provided by the Columbus Division of Water, electricity by AEP Ohio, and natural gas by Columbia Gas of Ohio
  • For electricity, a 2026 Ohio Supreme Court ruling put third-party resale to residents under PUCO oversight, and NES bills at the utility's own rate with no markup
  • For exact, per-unit billing, submetering is the alternative, and NES installs and bills either way
  • NES verifies the rules for your exact address before we start

Official sources: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio · Ohio Power Co. v. Nationwide Energy Partners, 2026-Ohio-1406 · Ohio Consumers' Counsel: Submetering

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

RUBS vs submetering: which fits Columbus?

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 Ohio cities

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

Common questions

RUBS billing in Columbus

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 Columbus 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
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