My utility bill in a 'luxury' South End high-rise was $287 last August. Here's why.

I moved into a "luxury" high-rise in South End in 2023. The leasing brochure said "utility-included apartments." I signed. I asked at signing what utilities were included. The leasing agent said "electricity, water, sewer, and trash." I didn't ask for specifics on how it was metered. I should have.

My first utility bill was $78. That seemed high for an included utility. I called and asked what I was paying for. Water and sewer. I asked about electricity. She said electricity was billed separately. I said I was told it was included. She said "electricity is included in common areas and building operations. Your unit's electricity is billed separately through the RUBS system."

RUBS stands for Ratio Utility Billing System. The building takes its total utility cost for the month and divides it proportionally among units, usually by square footage. So if the whole building's electricity costs $80,000 in August and I occupy 1.2% of the building's square footage, I'm billed $960. I have no sub-meter. I have no individual usage control. My bill can go up because the tenant upstairs runs space heaters all month.

August bill: $287. For electricity and water combined. My unit is 850 square feet. I am extremely careful with energy usage. I cannot explain the $287 except that other people in the building are not careful and we all share the cost.

I am breaking my lease when it ends in March. The "luxury" premium includes, apparently, paying for my neighbors' AC habits.