List every service. Assign each account.
Explain shared bills.
Allocate utility and service responsibility, account transfers, shared-meter formulas, billing evidence, interruptions and lawful reimbursement terms.
- Service-by-service allocation
- Account transfer dates
- Shared billing and records
How it works
From the existing lease to a signed utilities & services addendum both parties can keep
- 01
Inventory services
List every utility and recurring service.
- 02
Identify infrastructure
Confirm actual account and meter setup.
- 03
Assign responsibility
State provider, payer and setup date.
Last updated August 20, 2026
Written by LawLease EditorialReviewed by LawLease Legal Team
By lease document
Documents related to the utilities & services addendum
A utilities and services addendum identifies who provides, opens and pays for electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash, internet, landscaping and other recurring services. It also explains shared billing, records, interruptions and reimbursement.
What is a utilities & services addendum?
A utilities and services addendum identifies who provides, opens and pays for electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash, internet, landscaping and other recurring services. It also explains shared billing, records, interruptions and reimbursement.
This document is also called:
- Utility addendum
- Utilities responsibility agreement
- Services addendum
- Shared utility billing addendum
This document supplements the signed residential lease agreement and should be read with all other valid addenda.
Metering, billing and essential-service rules
State and local laws may regulate submetering, ratio billing, administrative fees, disclosures, record access and whether utility reimbursements can be treated as rent. Use the actual meter and billing arrangement rather than a generic allocation.
Landlords cannot use essential-service shutoffs as self-help or retaliation, and habitability duties may require service regardless of payment allocation. Utility providers and housing programs may impose additional transfer and notice rules.
Written scope
with the property, parties and covered conduct identified
Local rules
checked before terms are signed or enforced
Complete record
kept with notices, reports and supporting evidence
- List every service
- Avoid catch-all language by naming utility, provider, account holder and payer.
- Explain shared calculations
- State the meter, allocation formula, billing period, source invoice and permitted fees.
- Preserve essential services
- Address outages and repair contacts without authorizing unlawful interruption or waiver of habitability.
How to prepare a utilities & services addendum
Five checks turn the policy or disclosure into clear signed paperwork.
List every utility and recurring service.
- Electric, gas and water
- Sewer and trash
- Internet, landscaping and others
Free sample utilities & services addendum
This sample shows the allocation structure. Your answers supply each service, account holder, formula and transfer date.
Utilities & Services Addendum
ALLOCATION. Tenant-paid services: Landlord-paid services: .
ACCOUNTS. Tenant will establish assigned direct accounts by .
SHARED BILLING. Any shared charge will use this disclosed lawful formula:
RECORDS. Supporting provider bills and calculations will be available as required by law.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES. Nothing authorizes unlawful shutoff, self-help or waiver of repair and habitability duties.
Questions about this utilities & services addendum?
Real humans read every message. For submeters, ratio billing, utility fees or essential-service disputes, get local utility and landlord-tenant guidance.