--- title: "Covid-19 Pandemic: The Effects on Utilities From the Beginning" description: At the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020 Livable along with several utility-based companies did our part to make sure that residents were able to afford their utilities. image: https://blog.livable.com/hubfs/ilaw.jpg --- ![](https://www.livable.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LIVABLE_Logo_HI_RES_300px_Corporate.png) SOLUTIONS [PROPERTY MANAGER DASHBOARD](https://www.livable.com/property-manager-dashboard/) [TENANT CONNECT](https://www.livable.com/tenant-connect/) [UTILITY BILLING & COST RECOVERY](https://www.livable.com/utility-billing-cost-recovery/) [LIVABLE NOW BLOG](https://blog.livable.com/) [CONTACT US](https://www.livable.com/contact-us/) SOLUTIONS [PROPERTY MANAGER DASHBOARD](https://www.livable.com/property-manager-dashboard/) [TENANT CONNECT](https://www.livable.com/tenant-connect/) [UTILITY BILLING & COST RECOVERY](https://www.livable.com/utility-billing-cost-recovery/) [LIVABLE NOW BLOG](https://blog.livable.com/) [CONTACT US](https://www.livable.com/contact-us/) MANAGER LOGIN RESIDENT LOGIN ### Posts by tags: - 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[smarter approach (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/smarter-approach) - [solar (3)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/solar) - [staying home (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/staying-home) - [Staying Strong and Giving Back (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/staying-strong-and-giving-back) - [tax credits (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/tax-credits) - [technology (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/technology) - [tenant protections (3)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/tenant-protections) - [tenants (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/tenants) - [unionofconcernedscientists (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/unionofconcernedscientists) - [utility bill (10)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/utility-bill) - [utility billing (10)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/utility-billing) - [Utility savings (17)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/utility-savings) - [we heal as one (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/we-heal-as-one) See all # Covid-19 Pandemic: The Effects on Utilities From the Beginning Posted by [Livable Content Team](https://blog.livable.com/author/written-with-love-by-the-livable-content-team) on Apr 1, 2020 3:39:00 PM ![](https://blog.livable.com/hubfs/liv_favicon-1.png) At the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020 Livable along with several utility-based companies did our part to make sure that residents were able to afford their utilities. In April 2020 Livable announced that we were suspending all late fees until July 1, 2020. Throughout the pandemic, we have remained committed to promoting conservation through [billing and education](https://www.livable.com/utility-billing-cost-recovery/), and with no minimums.   ## **Suspended Shutoffs During the Pandemic** From coast to coast in early 2020, many utility companies took the extraordinary step of suspending shutoffs as the coronavirus sent [unemployment numbers](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-soaring-us-unemployment-rate-could-approach-great-depression-era-levels-2020-04-03) to figures not seen since the Great Depression.    In California, some of the largest gas and electric companies, including [Pacific Gas and Electric](https://www.pge.com/), [Southern California Edison](https://www.sce.com/), and [San Diego Gas and Electric](https://www.sdge.com/) assured not to shut off customers’ power due to nonpayment. “I think they’re having a new relationship with their customers in acknowledging that just being punitive is not the answer, and that really helping their customers stay in a home with power will only help them revive economically. And that it’s in their interest to keep these customers healthy”  - Martha Guzman Aceves - CPUC Commissioner 2020   Although several companies honoured the measure there was actually no statewide power shutoff ruling in the state of California. New York and New Jersey, two of the states hardest hit by COVID-19, had government rulings to keep power and heat on for all residents. As well as power promises, many states, including California issued moratoriums on water shutoffs.   “*Everyone, regardless as to what industry, has to have a heightened responsibility that’s encompassed in compassion and take everything into consideration. Now is not the time to be worrying about late payments or bills. We need to get past this, hopefully, to see what we’re facing and then deal with other things*” - New Jersey state Sen. Teresa Ruiz 2020   As lockdowns and other factors that came from the pandemic ease off, people are back to work and able to pay for utilities once again. At Livable by offsetting the [rising costs of utilities](https://blog.livable.com/utility-rate-increases-on-the-horizon-in-2021) through an easy to manage [RUBS](https://www.livable.com/ratio-utility-billing-system/) program we help tenants save money while also saving the world! [Book a call](https://comesave.livable.com/meetings/livable/livable-discovery-call) today to connect with a Livable professional.   [![Schedule a call!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4146755/5d912114-df0a-4f0e-924a-19310ee520fb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4146755/5d912114-df0a-4f0e-924a-19310ee520fb)   ---   **![Livable_SuperSaver_TipOfTheMonth_v2 (1)](https://blog.livable.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Livable_SuperSaver_TipOfTheMonth_v2%20(1).png?width=600&name=Livable_SuperSaver_TipOfTheMonth_v2%20(1).png)** Since 2020 apartments have been doubling as workspaces, it’s a good time to remind residents of the simple ways they can save energy. Check out this [informative list](https://il.t.hubspotemail.net/e2t/c/*W8NvhZ-3n9kcKW2t-2ZC3KfPPd0/*W2Fy0JL6CBp-MW70nRHy2p0_pj0/5/f18dQhb0S3_-1Qv4L7W12NPd25VRxBbMCB3kPx8Br9W1JJ25L6PBvNjW1kSyll7Cz-GLW5wVzbt4H0N4DW6TV98Z62mc9sVBMsDr4f1ngcW74nWn26PslMcW5TFQjh7Xd_jmW9c8Mgt88m5_tW9dMHpD49-0xfW96vwpR2L9f8jW1Yq_NS2rzkT2W1WcfWV53WsbBW2_Y6-n7QlRK0ML3xskb8vrPVBTbsh6d3yb9W3PrgHj2_Y4WFW1DB8jW6xkmXPW2Qc-fk65V1mMW2ZmGF18wT86HVnLntg6856SFW73JQPk2xMkNjW3LW5M26krDyQW3MYm5J2mDbsgW6hqNqy78P-xtW3QV5cV6MzcYdW427Qyb5S-FSTW58lQYm9jg7G8W5Bd2kc5X9F2NW8vPhgC1QrySpW557jdK6w7z7vW7Rkz0D5zKH5RW5J5SFw2YCb6XW3TS8p197xDLVW1Hb3dT8MzcL3W6rcPBp81r8gMW66sLyZ7PwD-9W147zCZ5SNmMrW3bQ8nw8n4xDFW2BV-1h1jnFjYW90Kxnv3ZZvN0W1_VWmy4rCBJ5W3_KP6b5hVZ5zW1RSQSj7YRJ1YW7cfBF656l8_VW8Fn1zL3jg6l4W8S3lhy1stf--W9gM7rK48T3ngW5tXkYB2kNK73W9f5C6w3pvnsGW7L2-HK4H2FTMW2hPFdc9bJHP0W82sj2S3V6f-gd7ryrb11) from Oregon’s KGW8 and forward your favorites on to your residents. [livable](https://blog.livable.com/tag/livable) [smart utility](https://blog.livable.com/tag/smart-utility) [come and save with us](https://blog.livable.com/tag/come-and-save-with-us) [clean water](https://blog.livable.com/tag/clean-water) #### Subscribe to join our monthly newsletter Stay updated on real estate news, laws,  and monthly saving tips and tricks! ![Monthly-tip](https://blog.livable.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2020_assets/illustrations/Monthly-tip.png?width=180&height=165&name=Monthly-tip.png "Monthly-tip") #### Smart saver tip of the month Insulating water pipes is a quick and inexpensive way to lower water-heating costs. The easy upgrade reduces heat loss and allows you to lower your buildings’ water temperature setting by two to four degrees. Plus, since water doesn’t take as long to heat up, less of this precious resource is wasted waiting for faucets and showers to get to the appropriate temperature. On smaller buildings, this is a definite DIY job that should take less than a day to complete. Check out the [U.S. Department of Energy’s website](https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/services/do-it-yourself-energy-savings-projects/savings-project-insulate-hot-water-pipes?utm_campaign=Newsletters&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8yh5oCnhWhoNYxyWitSNwCQZKjwDza8YZ-_XqR_0bGeAJoJKUSlyuOiGT5Nuvpv6Yhcarj) for a comprehensive shopping list and step-by-step instructions. ### More Lively Livable ### Posts by Tag - [RUBS (25)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/rubs) - [conservation (25)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/conservation) - [how to save money on utilities (19)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/how-to-save-money-on-utilities) - [Utility savings (17)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/utility-savings) - [cost recovery (11)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/cost-recovery) - [property owners (11)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/property-owners) - [ratio utility billing (10)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/ratio-utility-billing) - [utility bill (10)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/utility-bill) - [utility billing (10)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/utility-billing) - [housing (8)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/housing) - [economy (7)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/economy) - [livable (7)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/livable) - [rental (7)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/rental) - [Housing developers (5)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/housing-developers) - [come and save with us (5)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/come-and-save-with-us) - [multifamily properties (5)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/multifamily-properties) - [renters (5)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/renters) - [Rent control (4)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/rent-control) - [climate change (4)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/climate-change) - [increase NOI (4)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/increase-noi) - [investment (4)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/investment) - [smart utility (4)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/smart-utility) - [legislation (3)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/legislation) - [natural resources (3)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/natural-resources) - [new state laws (3)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/new-state-laws) - [rising costs (3)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/rising-costs) - [solar (3)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/solar) - [tenant protections (3)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/tenant-protections) - [Millennials (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/millennials) - [Property managers (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/property-managers) - [amenities (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/amenities) - [clean water (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/clean-water) - [examples of conservation (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/examples-of-conservation) - [financial impact (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/financial-impact) - [homeowner (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/homeowner) - [real estate (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/real-estate) - [rent policies (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/rent-policies) - [staying home (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/staying-home) - [tax credits (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/tax-credits) - [technology (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/technology) - [tenants (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/tenants) - [unionofconcernedscientists (2)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/unionofconcernedscientists) - [2021 taxes (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/2021-taxes) - [Economic Recovery (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/economic-recovery) - [House’s HEROES Act (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/houses-heroes-act) - [Livable staff (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/livable-staff) - [Republican lawmaker (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/republican-lawmaker) - [Single-family homes (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/single-family-homes) - [Staying Strong and Giving Back (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/staying-strong-and-giving-back) - [apartment industry (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/apartment-industry) - [apartment industry (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/apartment-industry) - [construction (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/construction) - [eviction moratorium (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/eviction-moratorium) - [post-pandemic adjustments (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/post-pandemic-adjustments) - [rental housing industry (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/rental-housing-industry) - [roofing (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/roofing) - [smarter approach (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/smarter-approach) - [we heal as one (1)](https://blog.livable.com/tag/we-heal-as-one) See all [Home](https://www.livable.com/) | [Solutions](https://www.livable.com/#)| [Property Manager Dashboard](https://www.livable.com/property-manager-dashboard/) [Utility Billing and Cost Recovery](https://www.livable.com/utility-billing-cost-recovery/) | [Contact Us](https://www.livable.com/contact-us/) [Privacy Policy](https://www.livable.com/privacy/) / [Terms and Conditions](https://www.livable.com/privacy-policy/)  [Manager Login](https://pm.livable.com/) [Resident Login](https://resident.livable.com/) Copyright © [Livable](https://www.livable.com/), Inc. 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