A CHARTER ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING LIABILITY OF LANDLORDS AND PROPERTY OWNERS FOR UTILITY BILLS.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF INMAN, KANSAS:

SECTION 1. LANDLORD LIABILITY.

(a) Owners of premises served by city utility service under this article shall be liable for payment of the cost of any utility service account delinquency arising from service provided to such premises, regardless of whether the utility service was furnished upon the application and request of the owner or the lessee of the premises. This provision shall also apply when the premises are leased by or through an agent or other representative of the owner.

(b) In the event a delinquency arises involving leased premises, the owner or owner’s agent shall be notified in writing of the delinquency of the lessee by first class regular mail after the billing to the lessee becomes delinquent. Notice shall be sufficient if mailed to the last known address of the owner or owner’s agent known to city personnel responsible for said mailing, after reasonable inquiry. If the delinquent billing, interest and penalty are not paid by the date stated in the disconnect letter, the affected utility service may be discontinued and no further such service shall be furnished by the city to the premises until all billings for the utility service to said premises, interest, late payment charges and a reconnection charge, if applicable is paid in full.

SECTION 2. LIABILITY OF PROPERTY OWNER. LIEN

(a) Lessors of leased premises served by city utility service furnished by the city shall be ultimately liable for payment of the cost of any utility service furnished by the city to such leased premises, whether the service is furnished upon the application and request of the lessor or the lessee of such premises.

(b) If utility service is furnished by the city to leased premises, upon the application and request of the lessee, then all billings for such service furnished shall be made to the lessee. However, if the cost of such service is not paid, as and when they become payable, the lessor of the premises served shall be liable for the payment of such cost, plus all interest and penalties as provided by the laws of the city. The lessor shall be notified in writing by first class mail after a billing becomes delinquent.

(8-9-2004; Repealed 08-12-2013)