Rental Properties

Important Information For You

To complete a “third-party billing” request, the City must receive completed paperwork (below) from both the tenant and the owner/property manager. Both forms can be filled out online or in person at Meridian City Hall. It does not matter which party completes their form first as long as they are both filled out prior to the move-in.

The Billing Directive will provide the start date for services. If forms are received after the move-in, there is no guarantee an accurate final bill can be calculated. The City does not reach out to request forms be completed as this is an optional billing service we provide, not a requirement from the City.

As a renter, once you have completed the Renter’s Addendum, you have done your part. As long as your landlord has also completed their form, future billing will be sent directly to you as the tenant.

Renter’s Addendum - tenant

Billing Directive - owner/PM

City accounts do not travel with the customer; they stay with the property. This means that if there is any outstanding balance on the account at the time of your move-in, your services can be interrupted.
If there is a larger than expected or past due balance on your first bill, you should contact the property owner or management company to ensure the account is paid up to your move-in.
Account numbers are assigned to properties based on property ownership records. Please note, that if you move from one property to another within Meridian, your account number will change. If the property is sold to another owner — even if you, as the renter, have not moved, the account number will change.
There is a $20.00 charge for the renter(s) to be added to the bill. This is a one-time fee that will be reflected on your first statement.
Your landlord/property manager will not receive copies of your monthly bills; however, they will receive copies of any delinquent notices generated for said property.
If you plan on moving, please notify the City of your scheduled move-out date as soon as possible. If you wait until after you move, your final bill may be impacted.

You Want Your Tenant to Receive the City Utility Bill?

The City of Meridian’s accounts do not travel with the customer, they stay with the property. Any debt at the property regarding City services is the responsibility of the property owner regardless of “user”. If you prefer that the utility bill be sent directly to the tenant at the property, we can accommodate that through a “third-party billing” request.

To complete a “third-party billing” request, the City must receive completed paperwork (below) from both the tenant and the owner/property manager. Both forms can be filled out online or in person at Meridian City Hall. It does not matter which party completes their form first as long as they are both filled out prior to the move-in. The City does not reach out to request forms be completed as this is an optional billing service we provide, not a requirement from the City.

Renter’s Addendum - tenant

Billing Directive - owner/PM

In the case of a property manager acting on behalf of the property owner; we will need a written statement to that effect (i.e., a copy of the agreement between the two parties). This documentation can be attached to the Billing Directive Form if submitted electronically, or emailed separately to rental@meridiancity.org.
The Billing Directive is tenant-specific. New forms are required each time you have a new tenant and must be received prior to the tenant’s move-in.
City staff will calculate and provide final billing amounts owed up to move-ins when a Billing Directive is submitted prior to the move in date. Forms received later than a week after the tenants move in date will still be processed, however the City may not be able to provide final billing due to availability of meter readings.
Once all documentation is received, the account will be updated to reflect the current renter at the property.
You (owner/manager) will want to ensure that all final balances on the account are paid in full up to the tenant(s) move in. Any unpaid balances can/will affect the services at the property.
Monthly bills will be sent to the tenant only. In the event that the bill goes unpaid and a delinquent notice is generated, you (owner/manager) will be sent a copy to notify you that there are outstanding charges on your property.
As the property owner/manager it is your responsibility to notify the City of a tenant’s move out. The City will provide final billing for move outs as long as notice is given prior to, or up to a week after the tenant’s move out. If notice is received more than a week after the fact, amounts owed on the account will likely need to be worked out between the owner and the tenant directly if a meter read is not available. The City cannot take on the role of property manager. Accounts will not be actively monitored for final payments made. By default, the account will be placed back into the owner/property manager’s name during vacancy periods.
If the contact information (mailing address, phone, email, etc.) changes for the property owner/property management company, please notify us in writing or email rental@meridiancity.org as soon as possible.

In order for City of Meridian to put the utility account in a tenant(s) name rather than the property owner, we will need to receive the following forms:

Renters Addendum

For the tenant to complete.

Billing Directive

For the owner/property manager to complete.

City Code for Third-Party Billing:

9-1-5: APPLICATION FOR WATER SUPPLY

After establishing an account for water service, a property owner
may direct that a third party, such as a property management company, or a tenant,
receive the billing for water, sewer, and solid waste collection services. The third-party to whom the billings are sent shall also execute such documentation as is necessary to confirm the billing information. In the event such an account becomes delinquent, the municipal billing department shall send a delinquency notice to the billing recipient, and the owner, at the addresses contained in the agreements. The city will charge a third-party billing account setup fee which must be paid at the time of the application. The fee will be set by resolution of the city council. The third-party billing agreement shall also provide that the property owner remains primarily responsible for charges assessed to the account, and further, that all unpaid charges constitute a lien against the real property. An owner may appoint an agent, to act for the owner, to establish an account, receive billings, or do anything else an owner may do, or be required to do, pursuant to this code.