Discussion and Review of Tiffin Municipal Code Revisions – Preparation for Setting the Public Hearing — Tiffin City Code - DRAFT

CHAPTER 92 WATER RATES 2. Notice to Landlords. If the customer is a tenant, and if the owner or landlord of the property or premises has made a written request for notice, the notice of delinquency shall also be given to the owner or landlord. If the customer is a tenant and requests a change of name for service under the account, such request shall be sent to the owner or landlord of the property if the owner or landlord has made a written request for notice of any change of name for service under the account to the rental property. 3. Hearing. If a hearing is requested by noon of the day preceding the shut off, the Mayor shall conduct an informal hearing and shall make a determination as to whether the discontinuance or disconnection is justified. The customer has the right to appeal the Mayor’s decision to the Council, and if the Council finds that discontinuance or disconnection is justified, then such discontinuance or disconnection shall be made, unless payment has been received. 4. Fees. A. A fee of $35.00 shall be charged before service is restored to a delinquent customer. No fee shall be charged for the usual or customary trips in the regular changes in occupancies of property. B. A service charge of $25.00 shall be assessed to any customer whose payment is not honored by the customer’s financial institution for any reason when presented. If two or more payments are dishonored, payments for that account shall be made by cash or money order only. 92.05 LIEN FOR NONPAYMENT. The owner of the premises served and any lessee or tenant thereof shall be jointly and severally liable for water service charges to the premises. Water service charges remaining unpaid and delinquent shall constitute a lien upon the property or premises served and shall be certified by the Clerk to the County Treasurer for collection in the same manner as property taxes. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84) 92.06 LIEN EXEMPTION. (Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84) 1. Water Service Exemption. The lien for nonpayment shall not apply to charges for water service to a residential or commercial rental property where water service is separately metered and the rates or charges for the water service are paid directly to the City by the tenant, if the landlord gives written notice to the City that the property is residential or commercial rental property and that the tenant is liable for the rates or charges. The City may require a deposit not exceeding the usual cost of 90 days of such services to be paid to the City. When the tenant moves from the rental property, the City shall refund the deposit if all service charges are paid in full. The lien exemption does not apply to delinquent charges for repairs related to any of the services. 2. Other Service Exemption. The lien for nonpayment shall also not apply to the charges for any of the services of sewer systems, stormwater drainage systems, sewage treatment, solid waste collection, and solid waste disposal for a residential rental property where the charge is paid directly to the City by the tenant, if the landlord gives written notice to the City that the property is residential rental property and that the tenant is liable for the rates or charges for such service. The City may require a deposit not exceeding the usual cost of 90 days of such services to be paid to CODE OF ORDINANCES, TIFFIN, IOWA - 742 -