What is RUBS?
RUBS (Ratio Utility Billing System) is an allocation method used in multifamily residential properties. The landlord or property manager receives a single master utility bill from the utility provider, then divides that cost among tenants based on a predefined ratio — no individual meters required. Common allocation ratios include:- Occupancy — number of occupants per unit
- Square footage — unit size relative to total property size
- Bedroom count — number of bedrooms per unit
How It Works in Billspree
RUBS maps directly onto Billspree’s composition model:| Billspree Concept | RUBS Role |
|---|---|
| Pricing Template | Defines the rate component (master bill amount) and charge component (per-tenant allocation) |
| Rate Card | Holds the master utility cost for the billing period |
| Charges Set | Contains the allocation formula: Master Bill ÷ Total Units = Per-Tenant Charge |
| Composite Plan | Combines the Rate Card and Charges Set into a subscribable tenant plan |
| Subscription | Captures tenant-specific inputs (unit size, occupancy count) used in the allocation formula |
The Allocation Formula
Multiple Utilities, One Template
A single Pricing Template can cover multiple utility types (electricity, water, gas) using separate Rate Cards — one per utility. Each Rate Card feeds into the same Charges Set allocation logic. This means:- One template, multiple utility bills
- Same allocation formula reused across all utilities
- Swap or update rate cards independently per billing cycle
Key Characteristics
| Meter required? | No — allocation is ratio-based |
| Bill source | Master utility bill from the provider |
| Allocation basis | Occupancy, square footage, or bedroom count |
| Billing cycle | Monthly, tied to the utility billing cycle |
| Common in | Multifamily residential (apartments, student housing) |