The City of Twin Falls will hold two open houses on a proposal to reduce losses on delinquent utility accounts largely centered around rental properties. Growing losses from delinquent utility accounts have prompted the City and Council to shift responsibility from tenants to property owners.
Renter, property managers and owners, as well as the general public is encouraged to attend one of two open houses at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9 at Twin Falls City Hall located at 203 Main Avenue East. The Open Houses will provide a forum for the public to learn more about the City’s proposal to shift responsibility to the property owners and to provide feedback.
Sixteen neighboring municipalities were contacted for their policies. Four allow tenants to have equal footing with property owners like the City of Twin Falls does now. Twelve hold the property owner responsible. Of the eight largest cities in Idaho, half hold property owners responsible for utility accounts and half allow accounts in tenant names.
Existing utility accounts would be grandfathered into the new system. New utility accounts after the effective date would be in the property owner’s name.
Questions about the Open House and the proposal to shift utility account responsibility to property owners may be directed to bhyatt@tfid.org or 208-735-7241