REGION Methods of collecting bills vary

Landlords don't think they should be responsible for any water delinquencies.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- There's more than one way to go after delinquent water charges owed by wayward tenants.
In fact, a check of several cities in the region that operate water departments shows there are a few approaches to collecting those delinquencies.
Some focus only on the tenants. Others pursue the tenants and the landlords who own the property.
Landlords in Youngstown are upset because the city chooses another tack: focusing largely on just property owners.
A group of landlords in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties announced last week that it will file a lawsuit against the city, probably next month. At issue is the city water department's method of collecting back payments on rental properties.
The Mahoning Valley Real Estate Investors Association says the city isn't following its own policy.
The group contends city rules don't hold landlords responsible for charges more than 45 days after a tenant's account becomes delinquent. The city contends its policy makes property owners responsible for all back payments due until landlords request that tenant water be shut off for nonpayment, plus up to an additional 45 days.
Landlords' view
But landlords don't think they should be responsible for any delinquencies, said Sam Naples, an association board member. Tenants have a contract with their local water departments, so payment should be between those two, he said.
The association fears other communities may adopt Youngstown's approach, he said.
Water departments should pursue only tenants for what they owe, as the gas and electric companies do, Naples said.
Indeed, the cities of Niles and Hubbard focus exclusively on collecting from tenants.
Niles pursues payment only from tenants, said Cindy Clementi, assistant business manager in the electric, water and sewage office. Eventually, the city turns over delinquent tenant accounts to a collection agency, she said.
The city doesn't hold landlords responsible, she said.
Hubbard handles tenant delinquencies much the same way, said Judy Pitts, chief billing clerk in the water department.
In Campbell, the city also pursues tenants. Eventually, however, the city holds landlords responsible, said Flora Hodge, an account clerk in the water department.
Several notices go out to tenants in an effort to collect, she said. Then, the city turns to the property owner.
The city attaches a lien to a property if a landlord doesn't pay, she said.
Youngstown's approach
Youngstown sends a delinquency notice to a tenant if the amount owed exceeds $50, then turns to the landlord. The city points to state law, which puts ultimate responsibility for water bills on property owners.
The city's approach keeps water rates down, said John Casciano, the water department's auditor and office manager.
Collecting from property owners ensures that the city has somewhere to turn for payment and doesn't have to chase tenants who leave the area, he said.
Property owners are free to pursue payment from their tenants, Casciano said.
A neighboring city, Akron, takes a similar approach by zeroing in on property owners, he said.
rgsmith@vindy.com