Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Do you receive a utility bill from your landlord or a submetering company? OCC wants to hear from you.

Ohio lawmakers and regulators are making decision right now about protections for submetered consumers—and your experience matters.

Have you dealt with:
• High utility bills?
• Surprise charges or fees?
• Trouble getting payment plans?
• Shutoff notices or billing problems?

Three ways to make your voice heard:
1. Share your story with OCC. Email [email protected] or visit https://www.occ.ohio.gov/content/apartment-residents-deserve-same-utility-protections
2. Submit a public comment to the PUCO in Case Nos. 24-106-EL-ATA and 24-107-EL-AAM at puco.ohio.gov
3. Contact your state representative about HB 173. Find your legislator: www.legislature.ohio.gov

This Memorial Day, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel remembers and honors the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We are committed to supporting those who served and their families by providing essential utility resources and consumer protections. Details: https://occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/military-families-consumer-assistance

Does your utility bill come from your landlord instead of the utility company? Read this.

If you rent an apartment in Ohio, live in a condominium or a manufactured home, your electric, gas, or water bill may come from a landlord or third-party submetering company instead of the public utility company.

Why does that matter?
Investigations have found some submetered consumers paying 5% to 40% more for the same electricity than consumers of public utility companies.

Submetered consumers also may miss important consumer protections many Ohio utility consumers rely on:

 budget billing
 payment assistance programs.
 shutoff protections
 itemized bills
 the right to choose an electric supplier

This spring, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that companies reselling electricity should be regulated like public utilities. HB 173, currently under consideration at the Statehouse, would establish a separate framework for submetered utility service.

Learn more about submetering and tenant utility rights: https://www.occ.ohio.gov/content/apartment-residents-deserve-same-utility-protections

Deciding whether to get your energy from your utility’s standard offer or a marketer can be difficult. Learn "How to Spot a Bad Apple" to protect your home and your wallet. Link: https://www.occ.ohio.gov/content/energy-choice-how-spot-bad-apple

Utilities in Ohio are allowed to trim trees near power lines, even on private property, to prevent outages. Have questions or concerns about work near your home? Learn what to expect and how to stay safe with our fact sheet:

Utility Line Clearing and Tree Trimming | Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel Utility Line Clearing and Tree Trimming Planting trees and bushes can save energy by shading homes in summer or blocking harsh winter winds.

Utility bills shouldn’t be a guessing game. With PIPP Plus, your monthly payment is based on a percentage of your income, not your usage. If you’re eligible, you could pay as little as $10 a month for electric or gas. Learn more: https://www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/percentage-income-payment-plan-pipp-plus

Help will be available in all 88 Ohio counties next month. Dial 2-1-1 for 24/7 support with utilities, housing, and more. Learn more: https://governor.ohio.gov/media/news-and-media/governor-dewine-announces-statewide-expansion-of-211

Utility imposters are getting bolder and increasingly targeting senior citizens. They may spoof your utility’s number, claim you “missed a payment,” threaten shutoff in 30 minutes, or demand gift cards on the spot.

PUCO reminder: Real utilities NEVER do this. Stop. Hang up. Call the number on your bill. Report scams at PUCO.ohio.gov.

Utility scammers often target seniors. Help Mom stay safe this Mother's Day by knowing the signs of a utility-related scam. Link: https://www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/how-avoid-utility-related-scams-and-fraud

Utility scammers often target seniors and use threats of immediate service shutoffs to create a sense of panic. These criminals will demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers, which your utility will never do. OCC encourages you to talk to older friends and relatives about the red flags of a scam. It could mean the difference between a safe afternoon and a compromised bank account.

Use our fraud prevention guide: https://www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/how-avoid-utility-related-scams-and-fraud