14.04.197 Termination of utility service to customers other than residential rental tenants occupying single-family units or individually metered multifamily units – Action by utilities administration.
A. Applicability. This section specifies procedures applicable to termination of utility services to consumers other than residential rental tenants occupying single-family units or individually metered multifamily units. Procedures applicable to termination of utility services to residential tenants occupying single-family units or individually metered multifamily units are set forth in VMC 14.04.191 through 14.04.196.
B. Past Due Reminder Notice For All Service Types.
1. This past due reminder procedure is applicable to all service types governed by this section.
2. If payment on a utility account has not been received by the twenty-fifth day after the bill date the utility division will send or mail a past due reminder notice to the service address, and to the address (if any) listed for the property’s owner of record or agent in the department’s file. This past due reminder notice will advise that payment is past due and will alert interested parties that service may be terminated unless payment is received or arrangements acceptable to city have been made.
C. Termination of Service For Single-Family units and Multifamily units that are individually metered.
1. For single-family units and multifamily units that are individually metered, if payment on a utility account has not been received by the thirty-seventh day after the bill date the utility division with send or mail a final notice to the service address, and to the address (if different) listed for the property’s owner of record or agent in the department’s file. This final notice will advise that the payment is past due and payment must be received to avoid disruption of service.
2. If payment on the utility account has not been received by the forty-fifth day the account will be transferred to the shut off list and service will be terminated.
3. Thereafter, a utility service inspector will physically deliver to the services address a disconnection notice and will terminate the service.
4. Such disconnection notice shall advise that the account is past due and that service has been terminated and will advise the customer of the process for service restoration.
D. Termination of Service For Multifamily units that share a single meter.
1. For multifamily units that share a single meter, if payment on a utility account has not been received by the thirty-seventh day after the bill date the account will be transferred to the shut off list.
2. Thereafter, a utility service inspector will physically deliver to the service address(es) or will post at the service address door(s) a 10-day disconnection notice.
3. Such 10-day disconnection notice shall advise that the account is past due and that service will be terminated not less than 10 days after such delivery or posting of the notice unless payment is made or other arrangements satisfactory to the city have been made. Such notice will advise other tenants sharing the service, if any, of their rights for continuing service.
E. Termination of Service For Commercial units.
1. For commercial units, if payment on a utility account has not been received by the thirty-seventh day after the bill date the account will be transferred to the shut off list.
2. Thereafter, a utility service inspector will physically deliver to the service address or will post at the service address door a 24-hour disconnection notice.
3. Such 24-hour disconnection notice shall advise that the account is past due and that service will be terminated not less than 24 hours after such delivery or posting of the notice unless payment made or other arrangements satisfactory to the city have been made. Such notice shall advise other tenants sharing the service, if any, of their rights for continuing service.
F. The statement of tenants’ rights included with the reminder notice(s) and printed on the disconnection notice shall be substantially in the following form:
If you are a tenant residing at the service address and water is presently being delivered to your home: You are not responsible for water and sewer utility bills incurred by a previous tenant who moved out before you moved in and you also are not responsible for water and sewer utility bills incurred by your landlord.
If this bill is the obligation of a prior tenant or your landlord, and you have made reasonable efforts to resolve the issue with the landlord, you have the right to obtain continued water and sewer utility services by contacting the utility division and having the account placed in your name. If you do place the account in your own name services will not be disconnected because of an unpaid bill for which you are not responsible. You will be responsible for bills coming due during your tenancy.
To place service in your own name you must go to the City of Vancouver Utilities Administration offices, during normal work hours and make application in person for continued service. You will be required to present personal identification, your current written rental agreement, and/or a bill from another utility in your name. You also will be required to identify your landlord, their current address and current phone number.
If service is disconnected before you have contacted the Utility Division a reconnection fee will be charged before service is restored.
You have the right to appeal the decision of the utility division relating to responsibility for past due utility bills or the right to have service placed in your own name. Utility service will not be disconnected during the appeal process.
(Ord. M-4359 § 1, 2021; Ord. M-4022 § 18, 2012)