What are the benefits of submetering an apartment community?

When residents pay for what they actually use, they cut back. Most properties see 15 to 30 percent lower water use. Daily reads also catch leaks early, and common-area water stops getting spread across everyone's rent. Payback usually lands within 12 to 18 months.

Is submetering legal in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is the most restrictive state NES tracks. State law (M.G.L. c. 186 s. 22) puts strict preconditions on billing residents for water, and the Department of Public Utilities does not allow reselling electricity or gas. NES does not offer resident utility billing in Massachusetts, for any utility, by submeter or by RUBS allocation. We can still help owners with metering equipment, usage data, and consultation. Contact us to talk through your property.

Who regulates submetering in Boston?

NES does not offer resident utility billing in Massachusetts. That covers water, electric, and gas, whether by submeter, RUBS allocation, or added billing fees. Utility service itself in Boston falls under the Massachusetts DPU. NES tracks the current Massachusetts and local requirements for your address, so billing is set up to match the rule.

Who provides water and utilities in Boston?

Water and sewer service in Boston comes from the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, which buys wholesale water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. NES works with whichever provider serves your property and supports owner-side metering equipment and usage data across the Greater Boston.

How much does it cost, and what is the ROI?

Most submetering installs pay for themselves within 12 to 18 months through the utility cost you recover. We'll run the numbers on your actual master-meter bills and unit count, then send you an estimate. You are not signing anything.

Will I be locked into NES equipment?

No. NES installs nonproprietary meters that other companies can read, The meters are yours, and extended warranties are available if you want one.

Submetering Apartments in Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts rules keep NES from billing residents for utilities in Boston. We can still help with metering equipment, usage data, and a plan for your property. Contact us.

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

NES handles water, gas & electric submetering for apartment communities, condominiums, and mobile home parks across Boston and the Greater Boston. Here that means metering equipment, usage data, and consultation, handled in-house since 1968.

No. NES does not offer resident utility billing in Boston, Massachusetts.

NES does not bill residents for utilities in Massachusetts. We can still help with metering equipment, usage data, and consultation.

What we submeter

Water & sewer
Per-unit water and sewer metering with 24-hour leak alerts.
Electric
Electric submetering on nonproprietary meters you own.

Rules & compliance

Submetering rules & laws in Boston

Governing rule: M.G.L. c. 186 s. 22 · Massachusetts DPU

Massachusetts state rules

NES does not offer resident utility billing in Massachusetts. That covers water, electric, and gas, whether by submeter, RUBS allocation, or added billing fees
Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 186 s. 22) puts strict preconditions on billing residents for water, including conservation fixtures in every unit, installation by a licensed plumber, and certification to the local board of health
The Department of Public Utilities does not allow reselling electricity or gas to residents, so those utilities are metered by the utility in the resident's name
Owners can still meter units for their own cost tracking and conservation data, and NES can help with the equipment
Contact NES to talk through what is possible for a Massachusetts property

Local Boston requirements

Water and sewer service in Boston comes from the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, which buys wholesale water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
Electricity is provided by Eversource, and natural gas by National Grid or Eversource depending on the address
NES does not offer resident utility billing in Boston or elsewhere in Massachusetts, for water, electric, gas, or trash
For properties in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Quincy, Newton, Malden, and Medford, NES can help with metering equipment, usage data, and consultation
NES confirms the rules for your address before the first meter goes in.

How NES keeps you compliant

Tracks every Massachusetts and local rule that affects your property
Handles rate registrations and required filings
Keeps audit-ready billing archives
Manages tenant disclosures and meter testing

See how NES handles compliance

Official sources: Mass.gov: Submetering Water for Tenants · M.G.L. c. 186 s. 22 · Mass.gov: Electric Submetering · Boston Water and Sewer Commission

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

Why owners in Greater Boston use NES

Per gallon. Residents pay for what they actually use.
15-30%. Lower utility consumption.
Under 24 hr. Leaks flagged the same day.

What happens after you call

Step 1
Free assessment
We review your master-meter bills and unit count, then model what you would recover. There is no charge for this.
Step 2
Install meters
We install nonproprietary meters at each unit. The equipment is yours, and other companies can read it.
Step 3
Read & detect
Daily reads pull usage automatically and flag leaks within 24 hours, before they run up a bill.
Step 4
Data & support
We deliver usage data and reporting, and consult on your utility cost recovery options, in English and Spanish.

Real NES results

140-home community, New MexicoWater & sewer

$264 / yr

owner's annual water and sewer cost, down from $26,400

Before submetering$26,400 / yr

After submetering$264 / yr

The owner had been absorbing the whole master-meter bill. After metering each home, residents paid for what they used. Figures from NES property records.

130-home park, TexasWater & sewer

$6,600 / yr

annual water and sewer cost, down from $120,000

Before submetering$120,000 / yr

After submetering$6,600 / yr

The park also gained more than $113,000 in annual revenue once each home was billed for its own use. Figures from NES property records.

Real NES properties. Results vary by property, utility rates, and resident mix.

Free assessment

Get a free bid for your property

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

or call us directly: (800) 572-7060

Privately owned since 1968
Nonproprietary meters, no lock-in
In-house bilingual support
No long-term contracts

Common questions