IA SF2353

Cities and city utilities are prohibited from placing liens on rental property for unpaid utility charges when the tenant was contractually responsible for payment under a rental agreement.

Landlords are not liable for unpaid utility charges when the utility account is in the tenant's name or the rental agreement assigns payment responsibility to the tenant.

Utilities are prohibited from billing landlords, transferring tenant balances to landlord accounts, conditioning service on landlord payment, filing liens against landlord property, or using indirect practices to compel landlord payment for tenant debts.

Utilities must maintain separate billing and collection accounts for tenants and pursue collection solely against the responsible tenant.

Violations carry civil penalties of $500 to $5,000 per violation, with each billing statement, collection notice, or lien filing constituting a separate violation; landlords may recover actual damages, $1,000 statutory damages per violation, attorney fees, and injunctive relief.