Submetering in Washington DC
Last reviewed by Grant Forehand, Compliance Officer · September 2026
D.C. does not allow private gas or electric submeters, so NES bills those by allocation and submeters water. Here is how it works.
Washington, D.C. does not allow private gas or electric submeters, so NES submeters water and bills gas and electric by a disclosed allocation formula, which D.C. law permits, with no billing fees added. Residents still pay for what they use, and the owner stops absorbing the master-meter bill. NES has handled the meters, the reads, and the resident billing in-house since 1968.
From an NES case study at a 337-unit apartment community, comparing submetered units with units not yet metered about halfway through the rollout. Results vary by property.
Properties NES submeters in Washington, D.C.
- Apartment communities
- Condominiums
- Townhomes
- Mobile home parks
- Student housing
Submetering laws and rules in Washington, D.C.
- Private residential submeters for gas and electric are not allowed in Washington, D.C., so owners bill those utilities by allocation
- With allocation billing, the owner divides the master-meter bill among units by a disclosed formula and bills for the same period as the utility (DC PSC rules, DCMR Title 15, Chapter 44)
- Each bill must show the readings or units, the average cost per unit, the amount due, and a contact for questions
- All utility billing and fees must be disclosed clearly under the D.C. Consumer Protection Procedures Act
- D.C. Law 26-156 (Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act of 2026) confirms that ratio (RUBS) billing is allowed, and bars charging tenants any fee for utility-related services, including administrative fees for third-party billing (D.C. Code 42-3505.10(b-2))
- Starting January 1, 2027, utility costs for common spaces (lobbies, leasing offices, business centers, pools, fitness centers) and for vacant units cannot be billed to tenants outside of rent (D.C. Code 42-3505.11)
Local rules can vary by city and county, and some cities set their own requirements, which NES verifies for your exact address.
Official sources: DC Public Service Commission · DCMR Title 15, Chapter 44 (Submetering and Energy Allocation) · D.C. Law 26-156 (2026)
General information only, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia or a qualified attorney.
Submetering in Washington, D.C.
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