Utility companies supplying service through a single meter to equipment or facilities
that are required by the housing maintenance code shall post, on or near the front
and rear entrances of a multiple dwelling or duplex containing such equipment or facilities,
a notice of delinquency in payment of utility bills after the utility bills are sixty
(60) days in arrears, or a notice of intent to discontinue such service not less than
fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the actual discontinuance of the service. Notice
of delinquency shall inform tenants of their right to make rent payments directly
to the utility company. When the discontinuance of the service is done by said utility,
they shall notify the director of regulatory service's authorized designee, either
by mail, phone, or hand delivery within forty-eight (48) hours after the discontinuance
of the service.
After a utility company has posted a notice of delinquency, the tenants in the building
may pay any rents owing to the owner or operator of the building directly to the utility
company. The utility company shall make available to any requesting tenant or tenant's
representative the utility account of the multiple dwelling or duplex housing which
has been posted pursuant to this article. Any such payment shall be considered a reduction
of rent owed by the tenant and a reduction of the utility bill owed by the owner or
operator of the building.
A utility company shall not discontinue service for delinquency if it has received
payments from the tenants sufficient to:
(1)
Cover one hundred (100) percent of the current bill and one-third (1/3) of the past-due
bill within thirty (30) days after posting the original notice.
(2)