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Jersey City council introduces ordinances to require transparency in ratio utility billing
Summary
The Jersey City Municipal Council introduced two ordinances May 6 aimed at forcing disclosure and regulation of ratio-utility billing systems (RUBS) for landlords and master-metered properties, after tenants and tenant advocates urged the body for greater transparency and oversight.
The Jersey City Municipal Council on May 6 introduced two ordinances aimed at increasing transparency and accountability for ratio-utility billing systems, commonly known as RUBS, which apportion utility costs among tenants in master-metered buildings.
Council President Denise Ridley read City Ordinance 26-027, which would amend chapter 218 to require landlord disclosures about utility allocation, and Ordinance 26-028, which would amend the rent-control chapter to clarify that RUBS charges count as rent in regulated units. After a brief procedural delay while staff confirmed the version of the text to be published, the council introduced both measures unanimously for first reading.
The measures drew a string of public comments from tenants and tenant-organizing groups who said many renters receive monthly RUBS statements that they cannot verify. "I typically pay over $100 per month at least in RUBS charges, but I honestly have no idea how those charges are calculated," said a resident who identified himself as Daniel, urging passage to provide tenants with meter readings and calculation breakdowns. Tenant leaders from Portside Towers and other buildings described recurring large RUBS charges and asked the city to make enforcement mechanisms effective and accessible.
Supporters said the ordinances would give tenants the information needed to challenge inaccurate bills and to enforce consumer protections in municipal court. Some speakers noted limits set by state law on how enforcement can operate. Council members said they would follow up with the administration on implementation details and enforcement pathways if the ordinances advance to later readings.
Next steps: the ordinances were introduced for first reading and will return for a second reading and final vote after the city republished corrected text and completed required notice. Supporters said they expect the measures to move quickly given broad tenant support.
