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Previous Discussion Updates
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• Question from the December Commission Meeting: Regarding utility bills and an “urgency ordinance” that was released by the state in the 1990s that stated landlords could not be held responsible for a tenant’s unpaid utility bill?
o This was referred to the City Attorney’s office for research and the following response was provided:
“Pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 10009.6, a municipal corporation owning or operating a public utility furnishing services for residential use:
Cannot recover unpaid charges from any subsequent tenant or the property owner due to the previous tenant’s nonpayment; or
1. Refuse to serve a new tenant due to a former tenant’s failure to pay; or
2. Require that utility service to subsequent tenants be furnished on the account of the property owner unless the property owner voluntarily agrees to that requirement.
A “public utility” “means the supply of a municipal corporation…with water, light, heat, power, sewage collection, treatment, or disposal for sanitary or drainage purposes…”(Pub. Util. Code § 10001)”
Staff has begun researching policies and municipal code sections that may authorize such practice to correct the reference and ensure compliance with the law.