All rates or assessments for utility services (water, sewer and/or garbage) shall be charged against the property served and against the owner thereof, regardless of whether or not the property is occupied by the owner at the time such services are provided. By special agreement with the city, when property is being rented or occupied by someone other than the owner, the utility bill may be sent to such renter or occupant. However, in all instances, (even when by agreement the renter or occupant receives the bill) the owner shall remain fully liable for all utility charges for all times, including, without limitation, when the renter or occupant fails to pay the utility bill, or any part thereof regarding a period when the property was rented to a tenant or occupied by someone other than the owner. In the event any utility services are discontinued for failure to pay for them, such services will not be reinstated for such property regardless of a change in ownership or occupancy, until all delinquent amounts are paid in full. Multiple owners of property shall be considered jointly and severally liable for the entire amount of the utility charges for services provided to their property during their ownership.
(Prior Code, § 9-4-1)