Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Yakima council directs staff to study landlord liability for unpaid tenant utility bills
Summary
After public comment raised questions about state statute and municipal practice, the Yakima City Council directed staff to prepare a report and bring the matter back for discussion about whether property owners should be liable for unpaid tenant utility accounts.
Public comment and a utilities presentation at the Yakima City Council study session in April 2025 led the council to ask staff to prepare detailed information on city practice and potential changes to Yakima Municipal Code regarding landlord liability for unpaid tenant utility accounts.
Ann Knapp, a Yakima resident speaking during the public-comment period, urged the city to review whether its lien and billing practices comply with state law. She cited a state statute in shorthand—“RCW 35 21 2 and 7 4” and “subsection 2”—and told the council she thought city practice might allow liens or charges beyond the four-month period she said the state allows. "The property owner is ultimately responsible," she said, arguing the city should ensure tenants receive timely notices and available payment-help information.
Municipal presentation and key numbers Utilities manager Annabelle…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
