Consumer Energy Assistance & Information
Electric & Gas Related Information
- Medical Exception Rule
- Landlord Submetering
- General Information on Utility Bankruptcy
- Natural Gas and Electric Information and Consumer Tips
- Energy Utility Service Rules (deposit and shutoff rules)
- NorthWestern Energy Pay Agents
- Montana-Dakota Utilites Convenience Pay and Drop Locations
- Montana Energy Savers Guidebook
- Winter Moratorium Explained
Landlord Submeetings
| Q. | My landlord pays the utility bill, but then charges me for the usage at a higher rate. Would this make my landlord a utility company, to be regulated by the PSC? |
| A. | This situation is sometimes loosely referred to as "master metering" or "sub-metering." It can arise when the landlord is involved in distribution or sub-distribution of water, electricity, gas, or other utility commodity. It can occur when the original source of the commodity is a public utility, a municipality, or other "generator," or sometimes even self-generation by the landlord. The situation can exist when the tenant is renting an apartment, trailer park, or like area. It does not matter whether the service is metered or unmetered. The policy customarily conveyed by PSC staff in response to inquires has been the landlord is a PSC regulated public utility unless: (1) the main meter bill is passed through to the tenants prorata (if the tenant is unmetered) or per meter (if the tenant is metered), with no profit, but a reasonable administrative charge can be assessed (for bookkeeping, postage, etc.); or (2) the utility charge is included in the rent, as rent, not a separate charge. There are no statutes or rules on this policy (except the landlord does meet the definition of public utility). |
Electric Related Information
Consumer Information On Other Web Sites
The PSC does not endorse the information, entities or sites linked from this page, which are unrelated to the Commission.
- Energy Smart Communities
- Alliance to Save Energy - information about energy conservation
- EnergyGuide - information network for electricity users
- Energy Ideas Clearinghouse - information on regional energy issues
- Energy Star - energy efficient solutions
- eGrid - inventory of environmental attributes of electric power systems
- NorthWestern Energy Bill Explained - line-by-line explanation of your NWE bill
Contact the PSC
- File A Complaint
- Public Comments
- Contact Your Commissioners You live in which county:
