An investigation co-published by the Guardian and the Economic Hardship Reporting Project has uncovered a nationwide issue with add-on utility fees, known as "ratio utility billing system" (Rubs) fees, which are charged in addition to rent. These fees are owed to landlords, often via a third-party billing company, rather than directly to utility companies.
The investigation found that many leases are structured so that tenants can face eviction for not paying these utility charges, even if their rent is up to date. For some, like 81-year-old disabled Alzheimer’s patient Constance Soule, falling behind on these charges can result in eviction notices.
Tenants in Los Angeles and Seattle have initiated "Rubs strikes," refusing to pay utilities until landlords agree to reduce charges that can reach nearly $300 per month per apartment. Since the beginning of 2025, at least 13 lawsuits have challenged Rubs across five states, including a case in California that led to a settlement of almost $500,000 last autumn with a national property manager. Efforts to limit or ban these add-on utility fees are also gaining traction in several cities.