PUC Subchapter I governs covered submetered and allocated water/wastewater billing.
The rental agreement must identify submetered or allocated billing and other required information.
For covered apartment houses, subject to exclusions for specified assisted-housing residents.
Section 24.285 gives the commission jurisdiction over violations of the subchapter.
What the lease should disclose
- Whether the tenant will be billed for submetered or allocated utility service.
- Which utility services are included.
- For allocation, a clear description of the formula used.
- Typical meter-reading, billing and due dates.
- The tenant’s right to receive information from the owner to verify the bill.
- The applicable service-charge percentage for covered properties.
Charges and calculations
Section 24.281 says tenant charges for covered submetered or allocated utility service may include water or wastewater charges from the retail public utility, but not certain owner-level utility fees such as deposits, disconnect, reconnect or similar fees. The rule also specifies calculation methods and allocation formulas.
If a water bill looks wrong
- Confirm whether the bill says it is submetered or allocated.
- Compare the allocation formula in the lease with the method used on the bill.
- Ask for the records needed to verify the calculation.
- Check whether separate water/wastewater charges are clearly identified on a multi-item bill.
- Use the PUC complaint process when the dispute concerns a violation of the water submetering/allocation rules.
Official sources
Use these links to verify the rule directly. RentBillCheck prioritizes Texas statutes and state-agency materials over secondary summaries.
PUC rules governing submetered and allocated water and wastewater billing at covered rental properties.
Public Utility Commission of Texas16 TAC § 24.281 — Charges and Calculations ↗Official rule covering permitted water/wastewater charges and calculation requirements for submetered and allocated service.
Public Utility Commission of TexasSubmetered Utility Service — Tenant / Property Guidance ↗PUC consumer guidance explaining lease disclosures, bill verification and submetered water/wastewater charges.
Public Utility Commission of Texas16 TAC § 24.285 — Complaint Jurisdiction ↗Official rule describing PUC jurisdiction over violations of the water utility submetering and allocation subchapter.