Massachusetts law about submetering water for tenants

Laws, regulations, and web sources on water submetering law. The submetering law allows landlords to separately bill tenants for water in certain circumstances.

If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, or if you have a specific question, please contact our law librarians for assistance.

Massachusetts law

MGL c.186, § 22 Water submetering in residential tenancies

Massachusetts regulations

105 CMR 410.354 Metering of electricity and water
Allows landlords to separately bill tenants for electricity and water in certain circumstances.

Web sources

How to locate and read your water meter, Home Water Works.
Resource explaining where water meters are typically located and how to read them.

Water rights: Do landlords or tenants pay for water in Massachusetts?, Mass. Legal Help.
Landlords can bill tenants directly for water only if all of the following are true:

• Your tenancy started on or after March 16, 2005
• You have a written rental agreement
• Submeters are installed (they must be installed by a licensed plumber)
• The faucets, showers, and toilets are low-flow
• Your landlord receives required approval

See also Understanding utilities as a tenant for more information.

Water submetering: Costs, benefits and legal compliance, MassLandlords.
Resource for landlords discussing how to implement submetering of water in residential tenancies, and how to stay compliant with the law. The Mass Landlords page also has relevant checklists and resources to help landlords get started.

Additional Resources

Submetering of Water and Sewer Certification Form (May 12, 2023)

Print sources

Lease drafting in Massachusetts, 4th ed., MCLE loose-leaf, section 13.4.7.

Residential and commercial landlord-tenant practice in Massachusetts, 4th ed., MCLE, 2022, section 1.2.8.

Last updated:	March 7, 2024