STATEHOUSE (June 26, 2019) – State Rep. Woody Burton’s (R-Whiteland) legislation protecting property owners from being held accountable for their tenants’ unpaid utility bills was recently ceremonially signed into law by the governor.
Burton’s new law requires municipally owned utility companies to bill renters directly for services like electricity, gas or water, unless the landlord and renter come to a separate agreement.
“While most renters pay on time and in full, some can rack up several months’ worth of unpaid bills,” Burton said. “In the past, local ordinances required property owners to be billed directly for electricity, gas and water bills, which tied the hands of landlords. This law ensures the person using the service, pays for the service.”
Burton said outside of a lengthy and costly eviction process, property owners who are solely responsible for utility services have few options to prevent tenants from accruing excessive bills. Utility companies are able to hold customers accountable by terminating services for nonpayment, but according to Burton, landlords can be stuck paying the bill, even if they are not receiving money from their tenants.
Visit iga.in.gov to learn more about House Enrolled Act 1347.
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