CHAPTER 15. UTILITIESCHAPTER 15. UTILITIES\Article 5. Landlord Liability

All owners of real property, within or out of the city limits of the City of Buffalo, Kansas, to which is supplied water, sewer, or solid waste (refuse) are hereafter liable for any delinquent payments.

(Ord. 255; Code 2021)

(a)   Landlord is name listed on the Wilson County Real Estate Tax Statement or owner.

(b)   Lessee is occupant, renter, resident, lodger, boarder, leaseholder and occupier or contracted to buy.

(Ord. 255; Code 2021)

(a)   Owner of a premises, verified through Wilson County, serviced by 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 or renter 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, in addition to the tenant, the owner or owner’s agent shall be notified in writing of the delinquency of the lessor by first class regular mail within 10 days 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. Landlord may request a telephone call regarding the delinquency that will serve as notice.

(Ord. 255; Code 2021)

(a)   Each new customer making application for utility service shall make a security deposit to the city to service as a guaranty for payment of service.

(b)   Each new lessee will sign a Policy of Overdue Utility Bills for Landlord/Tenant Situations form.

(c)   Upon disconnection of a delinquent account, the security deposit will be applied to the outstanding balance of the account.

(Ord. 255; Code 2021)

The city may collect the amount of the unpaid bill for utility services by any lawful means. In no event may the city place a lien on the real estate property of the owner.

(Ord. 255; Code 2021)