{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-2119.4.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-2119.4.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-2119.4.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-2119.4.html"}],"law_id":82149,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82149,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2119.4","catch_line":"Fees and charges for water and sewer services provided to a tenant or lessee of the property owner","history":"2017, c. 736.","full_text":"A\n\nNotwithstanding any provision of law, general or special, the provisions of this section apply to any locality or authority, as such term is defined in § 15.2-5101.B\n\nA locality or authority providing water or sewer services to a lessee or tenant of the property owner shall do so directly to the tenant after (i) obtaining from the property owner a written or electronic authorization to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant and (ii) if the locality or authority decides to use the lien rights afforded under subsection G of § 15.2-2119, collecting a security deposit from the lessee or tenant as reasonably determined by the locality to be sufficient to collateralize the locality or authority for not less than three and no more than five months of water and sewer charges. When the property owner has provided the lessee or tenant with written authorization from the property owner to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant, nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the locality or authority to require (a) the property owner to put water and sewer services in the name of such property owner, except in the case where a single meter serves multiple tenant units, or (b) a security deposit or a guarantee of payment from such property owner. The property owner, lessee, or tenant may provide a copy of the lease or rental agreement to the locality or authority in lieu of the written authorization.C\n\nFor purposes of this section, a written or electronic authorization from the property owner to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant substantially in the form as follows, or a copy of the lease or rental agreement, shall be sufficient compliance with this section:\n\t\t\tDATE\n\t\t\t[INSERT NAME OF WATER AND SEWER SERVICES PROVIDER AND ADDRESS]\n\t\t\tRE: [INSERT FULL TENANT NAME AND ADDRESS]\n\t\t\tTo Whom It May Concern:\n\t\t\t[INSERT TENANT NAME] has entered into a lease for the property located at [INSERT ADDRESS] and is authorized to obtain services at this address as a tenant of [INSERT PROPERTY OWNER NAME].\n\t\t\tSigned:\n\t\t\tPROPERTY OWNERD\n\nIf the fees and charges charged for water service or the use and services of the sewage disposal system by or in connection with any real estate are not paid when due, a penalty and interest shall be owed, as provided for by general law, by the lessee or tenant. If such lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty, and interest for water provided or cease such disposal within 30 days thereafter, the locality or authority supplying water or sewage disposal services for the use of such real estate shall notify such lessee or tenant of the delinquency. If such lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty, and interest for water provided or cease such disposal within 60 days after the delinquent fees and charges charged for water or sewage disposal services are due, the locality or authority supplying water or sewage disposal services for the use of such real estate may cease supplying water and sewage disposal services thereto unless the health officers certify that shutting off the water will endanger the health of the occupants of the premises or the health of others. At least 10 business days prior to ceasing the supply of water or sewage disposal services, the locality or authority supplying such services shall provide the lessee or tenant with written notice of such cessation, with a copy to the property owner.E\n\nIf the lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty, and interest for water or the use and services of the sewage disposal system in a timely manner as set out herein, in addition to cessation of such service, the locality or authority shall employ reasonable collection efforts and practices to collect amounts due from the lessee or tenant prior to sending written notice to, or taking any collection or legal action against, the property owner regarding the delinquency of payment of such lessee or tenant. For the purposes of this section, “reasonable collection efforts and practices” include (i) applying the security deposit paid by the lessee or tenant held by the locality or authority to the payment of the outstanding balance; and (ii) either filing for the Setoff Debt Collection Program (§ 58.1-520 et seq.) or placing the account with a debt collection service.F\n\nOnly after the locality or service authority has taken the reasonable collection efforts set forth in subsection E of § 15.2-2119 and practices to collect such fees and charges from the lessee or tenant may the locality or service authority proceed to notify the property owner of such outstanding lien obligation of such lessee or tenant and thereafter to record a lien against the property owner by using the lien recordation and release of lien processes as set out in § 15.2-2119 and only after notice to the property owner as required in § 15.2-2119. Such a lien, up to three months of delinquent water and sewer charges, shall constitute a lien against the property ranking on a parity with liens for unpaid taxes.G\n\nIf a lien is recorded against the property owner and the property owner pays any of the delinquent obligations of such former lessee or tenant, upon payment of the outstanding balance, or any portion thereof, or of any amounts of such fees and charges owed by the former tenant, the property owner shall be entitled to receive any refunds and shall be subrogated against the former tenant in place of the locality or authority in the amount paid by the property owner. The locality or authority shall execute all documents necessary to perfect such subrogation in favor of the property owner.H\n\nUnless a lien has been recorded against the property owner, the locality or authority shall not deny service to a new tenant who is requesting service at a particular property address based upon the fact that a former tenant has not paid any outstanding fees and charges charged for the use and services in the name of the former previous tenant. In addition, the locality or authority shall provide information relative to a former tenant or current tenant to the property owner upon request of the property owner. If the property owner provides the locality or authority a request to be notified of a tenant’s delinquent water or sewer bill and provides an email address, the locality or authority shall send the property owner notice when a tenant’s water or sewer bill has become 15 days delinquent.I\n\nWhen a locality or authority does not require a lessee or tenant to pay a security deposit to the locality or authority as a condition precedent to turning on water or sewer services in the name of the lessee or tenant, such locality or authority shall waive its lien rights against the property owner. All other provisions of this section shall apply.J\n\nThe locality or authority shall not require a security deposit from the lessee or tenant to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant if such lessee or tenant presents to the locality or authority a landlord authorization letter that has attached documentation showing that such lessee or tenant receives need-based local, state, or federal rental assistance, and the absence of a security deposit shall not prevent a locality from exercising its lien rights as authorized under this section. All other provisions of this section shall apply.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":294436,"text":"Notwithstanding any provision of law, general or special, the provisions of this section apply to any locality or authority, as such term is defined in § 15.2-5101.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":294437,"text":"A locality or authority providing water or sewer services to a lessee or tenant of the property owner shall do so directly to the tenant after (i) obtaining from the property owner a written or electronic authorization to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant and (ii) if the locality or authority decides to use the lien rights afforded under subsection G of § 15.2-2119, collecting a security deposit from the lessee or tenant as reasonably determined by the locality to be sufficient to collateralize the locality or authority for not less than three and no more than five months of water and sewer charges. When the property owner has provided the lessee or tenant with written authorization from the property owner to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant, nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the locality or authority to require (a) the property owner to put water and sewer services in the name of such property owner, except in the case where a single meter serves multiple tenant units, or (b) a security deposit or a guarantee of payment from such property owner. The property owner, lessee, or tenant may provide a copy of the lease or rental agreement to the locality or authority in lieu of the written authorization.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":294438,"text":"For purposes of this section, a written or electronic authorization from the property owner to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant substantially in the form as follows, or a copy of the lease or rental agreement, shall be sufficient compliance with this section:\n\t\t\tDATE\n\t\t\t[INSERT NAME OF WATER AND SEWER SERVICES PROVIDER AND ADDRESS]\n\t\t\tRE: [INSERT FULL TENANT NAME AND ADDRESS]\n\t\t\tTo Whom It May Concern:\n\t\t\t[INSERT TENANT NAME] has entered into a lease for the property located at [INSERT ADDRESS] and is authorized to obtain services at this address as a tenant of [INSERT PROPERTY OWNER NAME].\n\t\t\tSigned:\n\t\t\tPROPERTY OWNER","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":294439,"text":"If the fees and charges charged for water service or the use and services of the sewage disposal system by or in connection with any real estate are not paid when due, a penalty and interest shall be owed, as provided for by general law, by the lessee or tenant. If such lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty, and interest for water provided or cease such disposal within 30 days thereafter, the locality or authority supplying water or sewage disposal services for the use of such real estate shall notify such lessee or tenant of the delinquency. If such lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty, and interest for water provided or cease such disposal within 60 days after the delinquent fees and charges charged for water or sewage disposal services are due, the locality or authority supplying water or sewage disposal services for the use of such real estate may cease supplying water and sewage disposal services thereto unless the health officers certify that shutting off the water will endanger the health of the occupants of the premises or the health of others. At least 10 business days prior to ceasing the supply of water or sewage disposal services, the locality or authority supplying such services shall provide the lessee or tenant with written notice of such cessation, with a copy to the property owner.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":294440,"text":"If the lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty, and interest for water or the use and services of the sewage disposal system in a timely manner as set out herein, in addition to cessation of such service, the locality or authority shall employ reasonable collection efforts and practices to collect amounts due from the lessee or tenant prior to sending written notice to, or taking any collection or legal action against, the property owner regarding the delinquency of payment of such lessee or tenant. For the purposes of this section, “reasonable collection efforts and practices” include (i) applying the security deposit paid by the lessee or tenant held by the locality or authority to the payment of the outstanding balance; and (ii) either filing for the Setoff Debt Collection Program (§ 58.1-520 et seq.) or placing the account with a debt collection service.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":294441,"text":"Only after the locality or service authority has taken the reasonable collection efforts set forth in subsection E of § 15.2-2119 and practices to collect such fees and charges from the lessee or tenant may the locality or service authority proceed to notify the property owner of such outstanding lien obligation of such lessee or tenant and thereafter to record a lien against the property owner by using the lien recordation and release of lien processes as set out in § 15.2-2119 and only after notice to the property owner as required in § 15.2-2119. Such a lien, up to three months of delinquent water and sewer charges, shall constitute a lien against the property ranking on a parity with liens for unpaid taxes.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":294442,"text":"If a lien is recorded against the property owner and the property owner pays any of the delinquent obligations of such former lessee or tenant, upon payment of the outstanding balance, or any portion thereof, or of any amounts of such fees and charges owed by the former tenant, the property owner shall be entitled to receive any refunds and shall be subrogated against the former tenant in place of the locality or authority in the amount paid by the property owner. The locality or authority shall execute all documents necessary to perfect such subrogation in favor of the property owner.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"H"},"7":{"id":294443,"text":"Unless a lien has been recorded against the property owner, the locality or authority shall not deny service to a new tenant who is requesting service at a particular property address based upon the fact that a former tenant has not paid any outstanding fees and charges charged for the use and services in the name of the former previous tenant. In addition, the locality or authority shall provide information relative to a former tenant or current tenant to the property owner upon request of the property owner. If the property owner provides the locality or authority a request to be notified of a tenant’s delinquent water or sewer bill and provides an email address, the locality or authority shall send the property owner notice when a tenant’s water or sewer bill has become 15 days delinquent.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"I"},"8":{"id":294444,"text":"When a locality or authority does not require a lessee or tenant to pay a security deposit to the locality or authority as a condition precedent to turning on water or sewer services in the name of the lessee or tenant, such locality or authority shall waive its lien rights against the property owner. All other provisions of this section shall apply.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H","next_prefix":"J"},"9":{"id":294445,"text":"The locality or authority shall not require a security deposit from the lessee or tenant to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant if such lessee or tenant presents to the locality or authority a landlord authorization letter that has attached documentation showing that such lessee or tenant receives need-based local, state, or federal rental assistance, and the absence of a security deposit shall not prevent a locality from exercising its lien rights as authorized under this section. All other provisions of this section shall apply.","type":"section","prefixes":["J"],"prefix":"J","entire_prefix":"J","prefix_anchor":"J","level":1,"prior_prefix":"I"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14728,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions for Public Utilities","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13192,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:34","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:34","permalink":{"id":154517,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14728,"identifier":"2","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2","url":"\/15.2\/II\/21\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13192,"edition_id":1,"name":"Franchises; Sale and Lease of Certain Municipal Public Property; Public Utilities","identifier":"21","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","permalink":{"id":154333,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13192,"identifier":"21","token":"15.2\/II\/21","url":"\/15.2\/II\/21\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":79360,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2109","catch_line":"Powers of localities as to public utilities and computer services; prevention of pollution of certain water","url":"\/15.2-2109\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2109","metadata":false},{"id":71006,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2109.1","catch_line":"Prescriptive easements for provision of water and sewer services","url":"\/15.2-2109.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2109.1","metadata":false},{"id":70677,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2109.2","catch_line":"Mutual aid agreements for power and natural gas","url":"\/15.2-2109.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2109.2","metadata":false},{"id":87456,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2109.3","catch_line":"Provision of natural gas distribution service within counties","url":"\/15.2-2109.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2109.3","metadata":false},{"id":57929,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2110","catch_line":"Mandatory connection to water and sewage systems in certain counties","url":"\/15.2-2110\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2110","metadata":false},{"id":70760,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2111","catch_line":"Regulation of sewage disposal or water service","url":"\/15.2-2111\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2111","metadata":false},{"id":59568,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2112","catch_line":"Agreements by political subdivisions for sewage or water service","url":"\/15.2-2112\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2112","metadata":false},{"id":84432,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2113","catch_line":"Connections of fire suppression systems","url":"\/15.2-2113\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2113","metadata":false},{"id":60869,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2114","catch_line":"Regulation of stormwater","url":"\/15.2-2114\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2114","metadata":false},{"id":69504,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2114.01","catch_line":"Local Stormwater Management Fund; grant moneys","url":"\/15.2-2114.01\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2114.01","metadata":false},{"id":56426,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2114.1","catch_line":"Car-washing fundraiser","url":"\/15.2-2114.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2114.1","metadata":false},{"id":58555,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2115","catch_line":"Purchase of gas, electric and water plants operating in contiguous territory","url":"\/15.2-2115\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2115","metadata":false},{"id":65470,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2116","catch_line":"Acquisition by county or city of water supply system or sewage system from sanitary district","url":"\/15.2-2116\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2116","metadata":false},{"id":75698,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2117","catch_line":"Contracts with sewerage or water purification company, etc","url":"\/15.2-2117\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2117","metadata":false},{"id":74215,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2118","catch_line":"Lien for water and sewer charges and taxes imposed by localities","url":"\/15.2-2118\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2118","metadata":false},{"id":81760,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2118.1","catch_line":"Lien for gas utilities charges and taxes imposed by localities","url":"\/15.2-2118.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2118.1","metadata":false},{"id":60752,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2119","catch_line":"Fees and charges for water and sewer services provided to a property owner","url":"\/15.2-2119\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2119","metadata":false},{"id":61731,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2119.1","catch_line":"Credit for excessive water and sewer charges","url":"\/15.2-2119.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2119.1","metadata":false},{"id":78767,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2119.2","catch_line":"Discounted fees and charges for certain low-income, elderly, or disabled customers","url":"\/15.2-2119.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2119.2","metadata":false},{"id":65635,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2119.3","catch_line":"Sustainable infrastructure financial assistance","url":"\/15.2-2119.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2119.3","metadata":false},{"id":82149,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2119.4","catch_line":"Fees and charges for water and sewer services provided to a tenant or lessee of the property owner","url":"\/15.2-2119.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2119.4","metadata":false},{"id":81070,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2120","catch_line":"Enforcement of liens for water or sewer charges","url":"\/15.2-2120\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2120","metadata":false},{"id":57664,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2121","catch_line":"Regulations as to water, sewer and other facilities in subdivisions and development plans","url":"\/15.2-2121\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2121","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65635,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2119.3","catch_line":"Sustainable infrastructure financial assistance","url":"\/15.2-2119.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2119.3","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":81070,"structure_id":14728,"section_number":"15.2-2120","catch_line":"Enforcement of liens for water or sewer charges","url":"\/15.2-2120\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2120","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-2119.4\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 736<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":[{"id":60752,"section_number":"15.2-2119","catch_line":"Fees and charges for water and sewer services provided to a property owner","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2119\/"},{"id":64315,"section_number":"15.2-5139","catch_line":"Lien for charges","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-5139\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":60752,"section_number":"15.2-2119","catch_line":"Fees and charges for water and sewer services provided to a property owner","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2119\/"},{"id":57268,"section_number":"58.1-520","catch_line":"(Contingent effective date) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-520\/"}],"permalink":{"id":154599,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82149,"identifier":"15.2-2119.4","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2119.4","url":"\/15.2-2119.4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-2119.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/21\/2\/15.2-2119.4","dublin_core":{"Title":"Fees and charges for water and sewer services provided to a tenant or lessee of the property owner","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-2119.4","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Notwithstanding any provision of law<\/span>, general or special, the provisions of this section apply to any locality<\/span> or authority, as such term is defined in § 15.2-5101<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A locality<\/span> or authority providing water or sewer services to a lessee or tenant of the property owner shall do so directly to the tenant after (i) obtaining from the property owner a written or electronic authorization to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant and (ii) if the locality<\/span> or authority decides to use the lien<\/span> rights afforded under subsection G of § 15.2-2119<\/a>, collecting a security deposit from the lessee or tenant as reasonably determined by the locality<\/span> to be sufficient to collateralize the locality<\/span> or authority for not less than three and no more than five months of water and sewer charges. When the property owner has provided the lessee or tenant with written authorization from the property owner to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant, nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the locality<\/span> or authority to require (a) the property owner to put water and sewer services in the name of such property owner, except in the case where a single meter serves multiple tenant units, or (b) a security deposit or a guarantee of payment from such property owner. The property owner, lessee, or tenant may provide a copy of the lease or rental agreement to the locality<\/span> or authority in lieu of the written authorization. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> For purposes of this section, a written or electronic authorization from the property owner to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant substantially in the form as follows, or a copy of the lease or rental agreement, shall be sufficient compliance with this section:\n\t\t\tDATE\n\t\t\t[INSERT NAME OF WATER AND SEWER SERVICES PROVIDER AND ADDRESS]\n\t\t\tRE: [INSERT FULL TENANT NAME AND ADDRESS]\n\t\t\tTo Whom It May Concern:\n\t\t\t[INSERT TENANT NAME] has entered into a lease for the property located at [INSERT ADDRESS] and is authorized to obtain services at this address as a tenant of [INSERT PROPERTY OWNER NAME].\n\t\t\tSigned:\n\t\t\tPROPERTY OWNER <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> If the fees and charges charged for water service or the use and services of the sewage disposal system by or in connection with any real estate are not paid when due, a penalty<\/span> and interest shall be owed, as provided for by general law<\/span>, by the lessee or tenant. If such lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty<\/span>, and interest for water provided or cease such disposal within 30 days thereafter, the locality<\/span> or authority supplying water or sewage disposal services for the use of such real estate shall notify such lessee or tenant of the delinquency. If such lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty<\/span>, and interest for water provided or cease such disposal within 60 days after the delinquent fees and charges charged for water or sewage disposal services are due, the locality<\/span> or authority supplying water or sewage disposal services for the use of such real estate may cease supplying water and sewage disposal services thereto unless the health officers certify that shutting off the water will endanger the health of the occupants of the premises or the health of others. At least 10 business days prior to ceasing the supply of water or sewage disposal services, the locality<\/span> or authority supplying such services shall provide the lessee or tenant with written notice of such cessation, with a copy to the property owner. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> If the lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty<\/span>, and interest for water or the use and services of the sewage disposal system in a timely manner as set out herein, in addition to cessation of such service, the locality<\/span> or authority shall employ reasonable collection efforts and practices to collect amounts due from the lessee or tenant prior to sending written notice to, or taking any collection or legal action against, the property owner regarding the delinquency of payment of such lessee or tenant. For the purposes of this section, “reasonable collection efforts and practices” include (i) applying the security deposit paid by the lessee or tenant held by the locality<\/span> or authority to the payment of the outstanding balance; and (ii) either filing for the Setoff Debt Collection Program (§ 58.1-520<\/a> et seq.) or placing the account with a debt collection service. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Only after the locality<\/span> or service authority has taken the reasonable collection efforts set forth in subsection E of § 15.2-2119<\/a> and practices to collect such fees and charges from the lessee or tenant may the locality<\/span> or service authority proceed to notify the property owner of such outstanding lien<\/span> obligation of such lessee or tenant and thereafter to record a lien<\/span> against the property owner by using the lien<\/span> recordation and release of lien<\/span> processes as set out in § 15.2-2119<\/a> and only after notice to the property owner as required in § 15.2-2119<\/a>. Such a lien<\/span>, up to three months of delinquent water and sewer charges, shall constitute a lien<\/span> against the property ranking on a parity with liens<\/span> for unpaid taxes. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> If a lien<\/span> is recorded against the property owner and the property owner pays any of the delinquent obligations of such former lessee or tenant, upon payment of the outstanding balance, or any portion thereof, or of any amounts of such fees and charges owed by the former tenant, the property owner shall be entitled to receive any refunds and shall be subrogated against the former tenant in place of the locality<\/span> or authority in the amount paid by the property owner. The locality<\/span> or authority shall execute all documents necessary to perfect such subrogation in favor of the property owner. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> Unless a lien<\/span> has been recorded against the property owner, the locality<\/span> or authority shall not deny service to a new tenant who is requesting service at a particular property address based upon the fact<\/span> that a former tenant has not paid any outstanding fees and charges charged for the use and services in the name of the former previous tenant. In addition, the locality<\/span> or authority shall provide information relative to a former tenant or current tenant to the property owner upon request of the property owner. If the property owner provides the locality<\/span> or authority a request to be notified of a tenant’s delinquent water or sewer bill and provides an email address, the locality<\/span> or authority shall send the property owner notice when a tenant’s water or sewer bill has become 15 days delinquent. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> When a locality<\/span> or authority does not require a lessee or tenant to pay a security deposit to the locality<\/span> or authority as a condition precedent<\/span> to turning on water or sewer services in the name of the lessee or tenant, such locality<\/span> or authority shall waive<\/span> its lien<\/span> rights against the property owner. All other provisions of this section shall apply. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

J.<\/span> The locality<\/span> or authority shall not require a security deposit from the lessee or tenant to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant if such lessee or tenant presents to the locality<\/span> or authority a landlord authorization letter that has attached documentation showing that such lessee or tenant receives need-based local, state, or federal rental assistance, and the absence of a security deposit shall not prevent a locality<\/span> from exercising its lien<\/span> rights as authorized under this section. All other provisions of this section shall apply. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFEES AND CHARGES FOR WATER AND SEWER SERVICES PROVIDED TO A TENANT OR LESSEE OF\nTHE PROPERTY OWNER (\u00a7 15.2-2119.4)\n\nA. Notwithstanding any provision of law, general or special, the provisions of\nthis section apply to any locality or authority, as such term is defined in\n§ 15.2-5101.\n\nB. A locality or authority providing water or sewer services to a lessee or\ntenant of the property owner shall do so directly to the tenant after (i)\nobtaining from the property owner a written or electronic authorization to\nobtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant and (ii) if\nthe locality or authority decides to use the lien rights afforded under\nsubsection G of § 15.2-2119, collecting a security deposit from the lessee\nor tenant as reasonably determined by the locality to be sufficient to\ncollateralize the locality or authority for not less than three and no more than\nfive months of water and sewer charges. When the property owner has provided the\nlessee or tenant with written authorization from the property owner to obtain\nwater and sewer services in the name of such lessee or tenant, nothing herein\nshall be construed to authorize the locality or authority to require (a) the\nproperty owner to put water and sewer services in the name of such property\nowner, except in the case where a single meter serves multiple tenant units, or\n(b) a security deposit or a guarantee of payment from such property owner. The\nproperty owner, lessee, or tenant may provide a copy of the lease or rental\nagreement to the locality or authority in lieu of the written authorization.\n\nC. For purposes of this section, a written or electronic authorization from the\nproperty owner to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee or\ntenant substantially in the form as follows, or a copy of the lease or rental\nagreement, shall be sufficient compliance with this section:\n\t\t\tDATE\n\t\t\t[INSERT NAME OF WATER AND SEWER SERVICES PROVIDER AND ADDRESS]\n\t\t\tRE: [INSERT FULL TENANT NAME AND ADDRESS]\n\t\t\tTo Whom It May Concern:\n\t\t\t[INSERT TENANT NAME] has entered into a lease for the property located at\n[INSERT ADDRESS] and is authorized to obtain services at this address as a\ntenant of [INSERT PROPERTY OWNER NAME].\n\t\t\tSigned:\n\t\t\tPROPERTY OWNER\n\nD. If the fees and charges charged for water service or the use and services of\nthe sewage disposal system by or in connection with any real estate are not paid\nwhen due, a penalty and interest shall be owed, as provided for by general law,\nby the lessee or tenant. If such lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount\nof charges, penalty, and interest for water provided or cease such disposal\nwithin 30 days thereafter, the locality or authority supplying water or sewage\ndisposal services for the use of such real estate shall notify such lessee or\ntenant of the delinquency. If such lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount\nof charges, penalty, and interest for water provided or cease such disposal\nwithin 60 days after the delinquent fees and charges charged for water or sewage\ndisposal services are due, the locality or authority supplying water or sewage\ndisposal services for the use of such real estate may cease supplying water and\nsewage disposal services thereto unless the health officers certify that\nshutting off the water will endanger the health of the occupants of the premises\nor the health of others. At least 10 business days prior to ceasing the supply\nof water or sewage disposal services, the locality or authority supplying such\nservices shall provide the lessee or tenant with written notice of such\ncessation, with a copy to the property owner.\n\nE. If the lessee or tenant does not pay the full amount of charges, penalty, and\ninterest for water or the use and services of the sewage disposal system in a\ntimely manner as set out herein, in addition to cessation of such service, the\nlocality or authority shall employ reasonable collection efforts and practices\nto collect amounts due from the lessee or tenant prior to sending written notice\nto, or taking any collection or legal action against, the property owner\nregarding the delinquency of payment of such lessee or tenant. For the purposes\nof this section, “reasonable collection efforts and practices”\ninclude (i) applying the security deposit paid by the lessee or tenant held by\nthe locality or authority to the payment of the outstanding balance; and (ii)\neither filing for the Setoff Debt Collection Program (§ 58.1-520 et seq.)\nor placing the account with a debt collection service.\n\nF. Only after the locality or service authority has taken the reasonable\ncollection efforts set forth in subsection E of § 15.2-2119 and practices\nto collect such fees and charges from the lessee or tenant may the locality or\nservice authority proceed to notify the property owner of such outstanding lien\nobligation of such lessee or tenant and thereafter to record a lien against the\nproperty owner by using the lien recordation and release of lien processes as\nset out in § 15.2-2119 and only after notice to the property owner as\nrequired in § 15.2-2119. Such a lien, up to three months of delinquent\nwater and sewer charges, shall constitute a lien against the property ranking on\na parity with liens for unpaid taxes.\n\nG. If a lien is recorded against the property owner and the property owner pays\nany of the delinquent obligations of such former lessee or tenant, upon payment\nof the outstanding balance, or any portion thereof, or of any amounts of such\nfees and charges owed by the former tenant, the property owner shall be entitled\nto receive any refunds and shall be subrogated against the former tenant in\nplace of the locality or authority in the amount paid by the property owner. The\nlocality or authority shall execute all documents necessary to perfect such\nsubrogation in favor of the property owner.\n\nH. Unless a lien has been recorded against the property owner, the locality or\nauthority shall not deny service to a new tenant who is requesting service at a\nparticular property address based upon the fact that a former tenant has not\npaid any outstanding fees and charges charged for the use and services in the\nname of the former previous tenant. In addition, the locality or authority shall\nprovide information relative to a former tenant or current tenant to the\nproperty owner upon request of the property owner. If the property owner\nprovides the locality or authority a request to be notified of a tenant’s\ndelinquent water or sewer bill and provides an email address, the locality or\nauthority shall send the property owner notice when a tenant’s water or\nsewer bill has become 15 days delinquent.\n\nI. When a locality or authority does not require a lessee or tenant to pay a\nsecurity deposit to the locality or authority as a condition precedent to\nturning on water or sewer services in the name of the lessee or tenant, such\nlocality or authority shall waive its lien rights against the property owner.\nAll other provisions of this section shall apply.\n\nJ. The locality or authority shall not require a security deposit from the\nlessee or tenant to obtain water and sewer services in the name of such lessee\nor tenant if such lessee or tenant presents to the locality or authority a\nlandlord authorization letter that has attached documentation showing that such\nlessee or tenant receives need-based local, state, or federal rental assistance,\nand the absence of a security deposit shall not prevent a locality from\nexercising its lien rights as authorized under this section. All other\nprovisions of this section shall apply.\n\nHISTORY: 2017, c. 736.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}