Lean On Property From Delinquent Tenant Water Bill?

[Levi T.]

We operate properties all over the state of Virginia, and out in King George County they use the property owner as the fallback to unpaid utility bills for whoever is living on the property. It's the only county we operate in that has done this to us. So they send you a bill for a water bill that you did not open an account for, and you better pay it or they will put a lean on your property, no ifs ands or buts. That's life, and you just put it into your operating budget.

What's interested, is today while talking to them about some units, the lady was a little hot under the collar from my questions about some odd billing that was from almost 8 month ago in 2015, that they just got around to sending us a bill for, with late fees, this year for some reason. They waved the fees in the end, but she gave me a earl full about it being the law, state law, that all unpaid utility bills fall back to the property owner, and that this is normally in every country everywhere in the state of Virginia. As we operate in many counties, I know that's not true, or at least I have never ran into it before, and I'm sure we have tenants that failed to pay a bill now and then.

I'm trying to find this law. Anyone else know of this law, or can post a link to this law?

[Matthew Kreitzer]

Virginia Code Section 15.2-5139.

DISCLAIMER: Not legal advice. Generally obtainable information. I am not agreeing to be your attorney by virtue of supplying such information. If you have questions of a legal nature, I cannot answer those. Speak to local counsel.