Change of Policy – Residential Tenant Billing

As of October 14, 2025 the HMUA has changed its policy with regard to residential tenant billing.  

The HMUA has determined that is has expended significant hours and mailing costs in coordination of owner/tenant paperwork, mailing of delinquent notices to both owner and tenant, and coordination of both owner and tenant if/when the lien process must be initiated.  As is standard practice for many water/sewer utilities due to the paperwork and communication involved, the HMUA will no longer direct bill tenants.  All bills for water/sewer service will be mailed or emailed only to the property owner.  It will be the responsibility of the property owner to either pay the water/sewer bill or pass the billing cost on to the tenant.  This may therefore require a change in the owner/tenant lease agreement.

PLEASE NOTE:  Although the policy change is immediate, this change to billing of tenants will not be immediate.  The policy will take effect over time, only as existing tenants leave and new tenants occupy the rental premises.  At that time, a final bill will be prepared for the existing tenant, and the billing for the rental unit will be switched over to the property owner.  Each rental unit will maintain its own account number and pin that can be accessed by the property owner and shared with the tenant, if desired by the property owner.  The account number and pin will provide the amount(s) due and allow for on-line payment, if so desired.  The HMUA will only share account and pin numbers for billing with the party responsible for billing.