How to Implement a Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS)
Ratio Utility Billing System, or RUBS, is a great option for property owners to help manage their expenses by proportionately sharing utility costs with their residents in a fair and reasonable manner. An added benefit is that because residents take on the financial responsibility for their usage, they tend to conserve more resources such as water and electricity. This helps California protect its natural resources.
RUBS typically proportionately divides water, sewer/wastewater or trash, electricity, gas, or pest control utility costs among residents. It uses a formula based on several factors including state and municipality regulations, size of units, and the number of occupants in each unit.
The good news is that as a property owner, you will not have to figure out the RUBS formula on your own. Typically, the property management firm partners with a third-party provider like Yardi, Community Billing Services, or others, to take on the research and determine a fair and legally compliant RUBS formula for their client.
Because RUBS will impact resident monthly costs, it is imperative that your property management firm uses best practices to determine the most appropriate formula for the property and clearly communicates the system to residents.
Beach Front Property Management’s Step-By-Step Implementation Process
- Complete a property analysis to determine the need and goal of the proposed RUBS program.
- If RUBS is a viable option, create the appropriate formula for the property.
- Post a 30-day notice to change the billing method for utilities. Also, follow up with phone calls to each resident explaining the new policy, the rationale behind it, and how utility costs will be allocated.
- Tip: Ensure the communication is clear and easy to understand.
- Upload building, unit and resident information to the property’s billing system and verify accuracy by the property management staff.
- Tip: Make sure resident information is up to date to keep track of changes for each unit. Incorrect information could impact their utility costs due to increased consumption.
- Obtain recent master utility bills, analyze for accuracy, and add to the new billing system.
- Once the proper notification time has elapsed for current residents, create individual utility bills on a monthly basis.
- Send utility bills directly to residents.
Benefits of RUBS
While most transitions to RUBS go smoothly, it is important that property management staff are trained to understand the formula. They must have the ability to answer questions and resolve any issues. In addition, staff should be prepared to respond to residents reporting neighbors who may be overusing utilities. Overusing utilities could impact costs for everyone in their building.
Rent control legislation makes it more important than ever for property owners to manage their expenses. RUBS helps increase revenue because you do not have to pay for all of the utility costs. This increase in revenue allows you to put that money toward property maintenance and renovations that help retain property value and ensure a great environment for residents.
Remember to keep your residents in the loop with consistent communication. They will understand that in the long run, RUBS benefits them, the property, and the environment.
