The San Diego City Council’s Environment Committee on Thursday called for the drafting of an ordinance to stop property owners from overcharging tenants for city-run utilities.
At issue are landlords who pass on expenses for city-provided services to residents and small businesses, but charge more than the amount the city originally billed.
Council member Sean Elo-Rivera made the proposal. The committee directed his District 9 office to work with the City Attorney’s Office, the Independent Budget Analyst and other city staff to draft an ordinance regarding the practice.
“People and companies should not profit off public services, especially utilities. Utilities are called that for a reason – they are essential services to maintain our quality of life,” Elo-Rivera said in a news release. “Private interests should not be allowed to use them as a source of profit off the backs of working San Diegans.”
The proposed ordinance would prohibit property owners from overcharging their tenants for city services, including water, wastewater and waste management, end “convenience” fees tied to the provision of and billing of the services and establish customers’ and tenants’ rights to request and view itemized breakdowns of charges by property owners.
