Section 15-401. TENANTS' RIGHTS

 

401.1A gas or electric utility shall not terminate service to any master-metered apartment building on the basis of non-payment of a delinquent account by the owner, agent, lessor or manager (herein referred to as the "owner") unless that utility provides an opportunity, where practicable, for the tenants to assume prospective financial responsibility for the utility services furnished by receiving service in their own names, either individually or collectively, on the same terms as any other customer and without any liability for the amount due while service was billed directly to the owner.

 

401.2As used in this section, the terms "where practicable" means when the utility finds either that it is feasible to individually meter each apartment involved or that it is feasible to divide the total utility bill among the tenants in a fair and equitable manner. It shall be "practicable" to offer tenants an opportunity to receive service collectively when there is a group or association of tenants which is willing to accept responsibility for collecting and paying the entire bill.

 

401.3Any determination made by the utility that the opportunity for a tenant to receive service in his or her own name is not practicable shall be appealable by that tenant to the Public Service Commission within ten (10) working days of the posting of the Statement of Practicability.

 

401.4The Public Service Commission shall, within five (5) working days from the date of the appeal, make the final determination of whether or not the utility's decision was correct. An appeal shall only be taken by tenants residing in the apartment at the time the notice is posted.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 28 DCR 3329, 3332 (July 24, 1981).