SF4579 Summary

• Establishes comprehensive regulations for shared-metered residential buildings, including requirements for submeter accuracy, billing practices, and tenant protections effective January 1, 2025.

• Requires landlords to charge tenants only for actual utility consumption based on submeter readings, prohibits apportionment of electricity, and limits administrative billing charges to $8 and late payment charges to $5 per month.

• Mandates landlords offer payment plans for overdue utility bills and undercharges, prohibits disconnection of tenant utility service by landlords, and creates dispute resolution procedures through the Public Utilities Commission's consumer affairs office.

• Grants tenants rights to pay utilities directly to utility providers and become bill payers if landlords default on payments, with specific protections during cold weather periods and medical emergencies.

• Repeals Minnesota Statutes section 504B.215 and amends related statutes regarding utility billing in residential buildings, with PUC authority to levy penalties of $100-$1,000 per violation.