Minnesota’s New Shared-Meter Utility Laws: Landlord Guide for 2025

Minnesota has enacted significant changes to utility billing laws for multi-unit buildings with shared meters, effective January 1, 2025. These changes (found in Minnesota Statutes § 504B.216 and §§ 216B.022–216B.024) aim to protect tenants from unfair utility charges and clarify landlords’ responsibilities. Below is a summary of what landlords can and cannot do under the new laws, how submetering and apportionment (ratio billing) are regulated, required lease disclosures and billing practices, the penalties for noncompliance, and practical steps to prepare. The tone is straightforward and non-legalistic, to help property owners quickly grasp their new obligations.

What Landlords Can and Cannot Do Under the New Law

• Utility Accounts in the Landlord’s Name: Landlords in shared-meter buildings must contract directly with the utility provider and pay the utility bills themselves. You cannot require individual tenants to set up utility accounts for a master-metered service. Landlords are also required to notify the utility company that the property is a shared-metered building. This prevents any attempt to shift responsibility to tenants or remove a tenant’s name from an account to avoid payment.

• No Utility Shutoffs by Landlords: The new rules explicitly prohibit landlords from disconnecting a tenant’s utility ... Read More…