PLAINTIFF LANDLORD, PURSUANT TO THE VILLAGE WATER DEPARTMENT’S RULES, CAN NOT BE HELD PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR THE TENANT’S UNPAID WATER BILLS (CT APP).

The Court of Appeals, reversing Supreme Court, determined plaintiff landlord was not personally responsible for the tenant’s unpaid water bills. The village water department’s rules provided only a lien on the property and cutting off water as remedies:

The Water Department Rules and Regulations of the Village of Herkimer, on which the Village relies, do not authorize a claim against plaintiff for personal liability upon nonpayment of water rents. To the extent the Rules and Regulations determine the Village’s remedies for unpaid water bills, they refer to “a lien on the premises where the water is used” (Rule No. 8; see also Village Law § 11-1118 [providing that unpaid water rents constitute a lien on real property]) and to shutting off water supply, upon notice (see Rule No. 9; see also Village Law § 11-1116 [providing that a village may enforce observance of its water use rules and regulations by cutting off water supply]). Herkimer County Indus. Dev. Agency v Village of Herkimer, 2021 NY Slip Op 01835, CtApp 3-25-21