Operative Text
Non-transient tenants living in multi-occupant residential buildings connected for electric service after July 1, 1980, containing an electric space heating, water heating, or air-conditioning (space cooling) unit that is not centrally controlled and for which the dwelling unit’s tenants individually control electric usage will be individually metered and billed by the electric utility. (7-1-24)
Under IDAPA 31.26.01 § 101, when a multi-occupant residential building is connected for electric service after July 1, 1980, and individual dwelling units contain electric space heating, water heating, or air-conditioning equipment that tenants control themselves (rather than through a central system), the electric utility is required to meter and bill each unit separately. This rule applies to non-transient tenants, meaning it covers standard residential rental arrangements rather than short-term or hotel-style occupancies. The provision establishes individual metering as the default requirement under these conditions, rather than allowing a single master meter for the whole building.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers overseeing multi-occupant residential buildings connected for electric service after July 1, 1980 should be aware that IDAPA 31.26.01 § 101 generally requires individual metering when tenants independently control electric heating, water heating, or cooling equipment in their units. Compliant operators typically coordinate with the electric utility to ensure that individually controlled electric systems are set up with separate meters and that billing flows directly to each tenant rather than through a master-metered arrangement. Reviewing the metering configuration at the time of utility connection or building conversion is a common practice for operators seeking to align with this rule.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under IDAPA 31.26.01 § 101, non-transient tenants in qualifying buildings connected for electric service after July 1, 1980 have a right to be individually metered and billed by the electric utility when they personally control electric heating, water heating, or air-conditioning in their unit. If a tenant believes they are being billed through a master-meter arrangement that does not comply with this provision, they may consider contacting the electric utility directly, reaching out to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, or consulting a tenant-rights organization for general guidance. Keeping records of how utility charges are presented in a lease or on billing statements can be useful background when exploring whether this rule applies to a particular building.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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