Who Pays for Utilities in a Saskatchewan Rental?

Your Lease Must State Who Pays

Under Saskatchewan's tenancy agreement rules, a written lease must include a provision identifying who pays for which utilities, along with a separate provision listing what services and facilities are included in the rent. There's no default answer under the Act -- it depends entirely on what your specific agreement says.

How Utility Accounts Transfer Between Tenants and Landlords

When a tenant is responsible for paying for natural gas directly, SaskEnergy recommends landlords put a Landlord Service Transfer Agreement (LSTA) in place. This ensures that if a tenant moves out and a new tenant hasn't set up service yet, the account automatically falls back to the landlord's name instead of being shut off, and SaskEnergy will waive the tenancy change fee in that situation.

Shared Meters

In buildings where multiple rental units share a single utility meter, the cost-splitting arrangement between tenants must be disclosed in writing. This protects tenants from being billed for usage that isn't tied clearly to their own unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my landlord have to pay for utilities in Saskatchewan?

Not necessarily -- there's no default rule. Your written tenancy agreement must state exactly who pays for which utilities, and that's what governs.

What happens to the gas account when I move out?

If your landlord has a Landlord Service Transfer Agreement with SaskEnergy, the account automatically transfers to the landlord's name if the next tenant hasn't set up service yet, rather than being disconnected.

I share a meter with other units -- how is that split?

The landlord must disclose the cost-splitting arrangement in writing when a meter is shared between multiple rental units.

Utilities in a Saskatchewan Rental