For years Jefferson County landlords have been stuck holding the bag for their tenant’s unpaid water bills. Thanks to Jefferson County voters, those days are over. Landlords got stuck with the bills because the Water Works Board placed liens on real property when water and sewer bills went unpaid even if the bills were in the tenant’s name. This left tenants with little incentive to pay their bills and landlords the odd man out. Faced with the unfair result of charging innocent property owners for their tenant’s unpaid debts, the legislature passed a constitutional amendment that would forbid the practice. Jefferson County voters ratified the change during the November election and as such, Jefferson County landlords will no longer be penalized for their tenant’s failure to pay water.
