The utility gives the landlord/agent at least 14 days before disconnection for nonpayment under Rule 4901:1-18-08(A).
If the landlord still has not paid or arranged payment after the 14-day period, the utility must make a good-faith effort to give a separate 10-day pending-disconnection notice to affected tenants.
The rule states that master-metered premises are served only when the customer is the landlord/owner.
The utility has the burden of collecting unpaid billed amounts from the landlord/owner at the next billing cycle.
Ohio Rev. Code §5321.15 bars utility/service termination by a landlord for the purpose of recovering possession outside the statutory eviction process.
First identify whether this master-meter or included-utility rule applies
Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-08 applies when the utility company knows that its customer is the landlord for a multi-unit dwelling whose tenants receive master-metered service, or for a single-occupancy dwelling where utilities are included in rent.
A tenant account billed directly by the utility, a property submeter bill or a RUBS allocation can raise different questions. Use the bill sender, meter information and lease utility addendum to identify the billing model before relying on this shutoff rule.
Landlord nonpayment triggers a staged disconnection-notice process
The utility first gives the landlord or agent at least 14 days notice before disconnection. If the landlord has not paid or made payment arrangements by the end of that period, the utility then makes a good-faith effort to provide a separate 10-day pending-disconnection notice to the landlord and each affected rental unit.
Keep the tenant notice, envelope or delivery evidence and the proposed disconnection date. The timing sequence is more useful than a generic statement that utilities cannot be shut off.
The landlord remains the master-meter customer
Rule 4901:1-18-08(H) says the utility provides service to a master-metered premise only if the customer is the landlord or owner. New applications for master-meter service require the landlord/owner to provide an accurate list of the mailing addresses for each unit served.
Paragraph (J) states that the utility has the burden of collecting unpaid billed amounts from the landlord/owner. That account responsibility should not be confused with a separate lease-based tenant utility charge or allocation formula.
A landlord-requested disconnection while tenants remain is also regulated
The Ohio rule separately addresses a property owner, landlord or agent who requests disconnection while residential tenants still reside at the premises. That situation is different from ordinary tenant move-out service cancellation and should be documented with the request date, occupancy status and any notices received.
Utility shutoff cannot be used as a shortcut to remove a tenant
Ohio Revised Code §5321.15 prohibits a residential landlord from initiating utility or service termination for the purpose of recovering possession except through the lawful procedures referenced in the statute. The section also provides a civil remedy for damages caused by a violation together with reasonable attorney fees.
The purpose of the shutoff matters. Preserve communications connecting a threatened or actual interruption to demands that the tenant leave, rather than assuming every service interruption is a self-help eviction.
This is not a statewide RUBS pricing rule
The cited statewide Ohio sources address master-meter utility account responsibility, disconnection notice and landlord self-help conduct. They do not establish one universal statewide formula for dividing a master utility bill among tenants.
If the statement is a RUBS, submeter or third-party bill, collect the allocation formula, meter records, provider bill and administration-fee lines and then analyze the lease and any more specific state/local rule that applies.
Records worth preserving
- Lease and utility addendum showing whether service is included or separately billed.
- Utility company name and the account holder shown on any notice.
- Tenant disconnection notice and its delivery date.
- Proposed shutoff date.
- Any landlord notice or communication about nonpayment or service termination.
- Current and prior utility statements if tenants are also separately charged.
- Meter, submeter or RUBS allocation records when the dispute includes a tenant bill.
- Communications connecting a shutoff threat with a demand to leave the unit.
Compare this topic across states
Official sources
Official PUCO rule for master-metered multi-unit dwellings and single-occupancy rentals where utilities are included in rent, including landlord and tenant disconnection notices and master-meter account requirements.
Ohio LawsOhio Revised Code § 5321.15 — Acts of landlord prohibited ↗Official statute prohibiting a residential landlord from terminating utilities or services to recover possession outside the lawful eviction process.