§514A-15.5 - Metering of utilities.
§514A-15.5 Metering of utilities. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 514A-15, commercial apartments in mixed-use projects containing apartments for both residential and commercial use, the construction of which commences after December 31, 1977, shall have a separate meter, or calculations shall be made, or both, to determine the use by the commercial apartments of utilities, including electricity, water, gas, fuel, oil, sewerage, and drainage and the cost of such utilities shall be paid by the owners of such commercial units; provided that the apportionment of such charges among owners of commercial apartments shall be done in a fair and equitable manner as set forth in the declaration or bylaws.
(b) Subject to any approval requirements and spending limits contained in the declaration or bylaws of an association of apartment owners, the board of directors may authorize the installation of meters to determine the use by the residential and commercial apartments of utilities, including electricity, water, gas, fuel, oil, sewerage and drainage. The cost of metered utilities shall be paid by the owners of such apartments based on actual consumption and may be collected in the same manner as common expense assessments. Owners' maintenance fees shall be adjusted as necessary to avoid any duplication of charges to these owners for the cost of metered utilities. [L 1977, c 176, §1; am L 1984, c 184, §1]