Mobile home submetering rights overview
How mobile home parks bill utilities through submetering or allocation, the markup and itemization rules many states require, and what to check on a utility bill.
Published June 4, 2026
A quick reference to submetering and utility billing in mobile home communities. This is general information, not legal advice, and the authors are not lawyers — for a specific situation, consider a licensed attorney in your state. Whether a charge is allowed depends heavily on your state and lease.
At a glance
| Topic | What generally applies |
|---|---|
| Markup | Many states cap a resold utility at the provider's actual rate (no markup). |
| Itemized bills | Several states require a bill showing the rate, the usage, and the charge. |
| Submetering vs. allocation | Submeters bill actual use; allocation formulas may not track your own use. |
| Extra fees | Some states bar administrative, capital, late, or connect/disconnect add-ons on utilities. |
| Disclosure | Many states require the billing method to be disclosed before you sign. |
| Shutoffs | Several states limit or bar utility shutoffs, especially during extreme weather. |
| Lines and maintenance | The park is often responsible for maintaining the utility lines it owns. |
How to use this
This sheet summarizes common rules; it does not analyze your utility bill or your state's exact law. Compare your bill against the lease's stated method and your state's park-utility rules, and keep copies of your statements.
Where to read more
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Frequently asked questions
- Can a mobile home park mark up the utilities it bills me?
- In many states, no — a park reselling water, electricity, or gas generally may not charge more than the utility's actual rate, and several states require itemized bills and bar extra administrative or markup fees. Other states have no such cap. This is general, educational information, not legal advice — see your state's FightMyPark utilities guide.
- What is the difference between submetering and allocation?
- Submetering measures each home's actual usage with an individual meter and bills for what you used. Allocation divides a master-meter bill among homes by a formula (such as home size or number of occupants), so your bill may not track your own use. This is general information, not legal advice.