(A) Where a property owner has rented a property or a unit in said property to a tenant, the property owner must contract for electrical services for that property. Electrical utility accounts may not be held in the tenant's own name. This section does not prohibit a landlord from apportioning utility service payments among residential units and either including utility costs in a unit's rent, or billing for utility charges separate from rent.
(B) If a landlord fails to pay for the electrical service for which the landlord has contracted, and the city has issued a final notice proposing to discontinue service, the city will post notice of the impending disconnection on the building as described in Minnesota Statutes Section 504B.215, Subd. 3. A tenant or group of tenants may choose to pay to have the service continued or restored for at least one billing period, as provided under Minnesota Statutes Section 504B.215. Any amount paid to the city for electrical service by the tenant on behalf of the landlord shall be deducted from the rental payment next paid by the tenant to the landlord as described by Minnesota Statutes Section 504B.215, Subd. 3(1).
(Ord. passed 11-12-2013)