(A) (1) The franchisee shall bill those owners as set forth in § 51.01(C) and (D) of this chapter and payment shall be due and payable to the franchisee on or before the due date printed on the bill.
(2) If said billing is not paid by the due date, the franchisee may add a penalty or a handling fee, whichever is greater to said billing.
(3) Said billing together with any and all additional fees shall be paid no later than 30 days from the date of the billing.
(B) If owner/possessor of the property fails to pay the bill, the franchisee shall be responsible for collecting delinquent debt.
(C) Should a tenant fail to pay for service it shall be the responsibility of the owner of the residential or commercial property to make payment and it shall be the owner who shall be liable for the penalties provided for by the franchisee. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit an owner from requiring a tenant to pay or reimburse the owner for payment.
(2017-237, passed 6-26-2017)