Assembly Bill 1143 mandates that landlords disclose utility service charges to prospective tenants before entering into a rental agreement. Specifically, landlords must inform tenants if the rental agreement does not include all utility service charges, which encompass electricity, water, gas, or sewer services. If the rental property is not separately metered, landlords are required to explain how utility charges will be allocated among tenants, ensuring that allocation is based on the number of individuals residing in the building rather than the number of dwelling units. Violations of these provisions would prevent landlords from charging tenants for utility services during the rental period.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that tenants can request a detailed accounting of any variable utility charges at any time during their tenancy, and landlords must respond within 14 days. If landlords fail to comply, tenants may withhold future utility payments. The bill also requires that rental agreements include a notice informing tenants of their rights regarding utility charges and mandates that landlords allow tenants to pay utility charges in the same transaction as their rent without imposing additional processing fees. The bill aims to enhance transparency and protect tenants from unexpected utility costs.