Is my property management company double-dipping on utilities?
I was in the middle of budgeting when I realized that I have two separate bills that have gas charges on them. Apartment complex is located in Maryland and wanted to see if this was a common occurrence or if it explicitly violates any rental laws.
My main leasing contract states the property's use of the Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) for gas, water, and sewage:
"gas bills will be billed by the service provider to us and then allocated to you based on the following formula: 6" "3rd party billing company if applicable: Conservice (Note: Formula 6 is defined in the lease key as an allocation based on the number of occupants)."
Because there is a direct physical meter tied to my unit and I pay for electricity directly, I have an individual direct account active with BGE. However, because actual gas usage is tied to the landlord’s master bill and processed through Conservice, my standalone BGE meter reads practically nothing.
Here is what I am paying every month:
Direct BGE Bill: Shows exactly 1 therm used (basically zero usage). But BGE charges me a $16.15 flat Customer Charge and a $1.08 Distribution Charge, totaling $17.60 strictly for "Gas Delivery".
Conservice Bill: For the exact same service period, Conservice charges me $18.44 for "Gas Usage" using the building's RUBS occupancy formula, plus a $3.66 service fee. I am paying BGE out of pocket to keep up the physical gas grid connection for my unit while simultaneously paying the landlord through Conservice for the actual gas usage.
I've called BGE to see if maybe I set up my account incorrectly but they stated that it is entirely up to the property management company how they want the lines and accounts registered. I have messaged the property management company to ask about this as well as request the last 2 master bills to look into it further.
Is this overlap normal or is it fishy? Trying to see if I have a "case" or not.
Added Note: I am in no way disputing the Conservice charges, those I understand, my concern / confusion is about the separate BGE charges