In terms of Section 118 (3) of the  Municipal Property Rates Act, an amount due for municipal service fees, surcharge on fees, property rates and other municipal taxes, levies and duties is a charge upon the property in connection with which the amount is owing and enjoys preference over any mortgage bond registered against the property.

Accordingly, all such Municipal debts shall be a charge upon the property, the subject thereof, and shall be payable by the registered owner of such property.

Krish Kumar, the deputy city manager: treasury said, "When electricity and water consumption is recorded on a property during a period for which there is no registered customer against whom a bill can be raised, the relevant charges shall be raised against the registered owner.

When a customer terminates a consumption account and no new customer registers, a property is deemed vacant.  The account shall be forwarded to the owner until he advises the Municipality to the contrary," confirms Kumar.

The owner is liable for any debt not recovered from the tenant. Owners may request copies of the tenants account. Council may recover any owner debt from rental payable by the tenant to the extent of the tenant's liability to the landlord, irrespective of rental being paid directly to the owner or a managing agent.

I would like to emphasise that, "Water and Electricity meters remain the property of Council, and any interference including re-location of a meter is viewed as tampering, punishable by law. Request forms for re-location of meters are available at Council Offices says Kumar.

With regards to municipal accounts, "Failure to receive or accept accounts does not relieve a customer of the obligation to pay any amount due and payable. Any interest or penalties raised under these circumstances will remain due" said Kumar.