(a) No person, agent, firm or corporation shall sell by deed, land contract or otherwise any interest in any premises within the City which is supplied with City water, sewer or refuse collection service without furnishing the buyer prior to such sale, a statement from the City setting forth the current status of the water account of the premises, and when an ascrow has been established, depositing in escrow prior to delivery of possession or transfer of title a statement from the buyer acknowledging the receipt of this document and accepting responsibility for all future water bills in accordance with this section.
(b) No person, firm or corporation acting in the capacity of an escrow agent in any real estate transaction involving the sale of any premises situated in the City which is supplied with City water, sewer or refuse collection service shall disburse any funds unless the provisions of subsection (a) hereof have been met.
(c) Conviction under this section shall not be a bar to the rights of a buyer to recover by civil suit from either the previous owner (seller), real estate agent or escrow agent the amounts for water, sewer or refuse collection service supplied to the previous owner and paid by the buyer under the provisions of subsection (d) hereof.
(d) If any consumer refuses or neglects to pay any delinquent water, sewer or refuse collection bill, including the collection charge thereon, if any, the water sewer or refuse collection service shall be discontinued and shall not be turned on again until all charges due and payable have been paid. The provisions of this section shall apply whether or not there has been in the meantime a change of ownership or possession of the premises supplied, except in cases of bankruptcy or foreclosure proceedings.
(1987 Code 50.47)