Relating to the authority of owners and managers of apartment houses to assess a service charge for the submetering of water and wastewater services.
Impact
The enactment of SB2126 would modify existing laws pertinent to the assessment of service charges by apartment owners and managers. By clearly defining their authority to impose such charges, the bill aims to provide a framework that potentially enables these entities to recover costs associated with submetering. This could lead to more uniform practices across apartment houses regarding the allocation of water-related expenses to tenants.
Summary
SB2126 focuses on the authority of apartment house owners and managers to impose a service charge related to the submetering of water and wastewater services. The bill specifically allows these owners to charge up to nine percent of the costs allocated to each submetered dwelling unit. This service charge includes water costs and applicable taxes and surcharges imposed by the retail public utility.
Contention
While there might not be overt contention highlighted in the documents, the potential for differing opinions exists regarding the fairness of such service charges. Critics may argue that imposing additional costs on tenants through service charges could lead to increased living expenses, particularly in a housing market with rising rent prices. Proponents might defend the measure as necessary for recovering operational costs associated with water utilities.
Identical
Relating to the authority of owners and managers of apartment houses to assess a service charge for the submetering of water and wastewater services.