Tyrone Gas & Water Co. v. Public Service Commission

Citations

• 77 Pa. Super. 292
• 1921 Pa. Super. LEXIS 255

Syllabus

<p>Public Service Company Law — Public Service Commission — Water companies — Regulations—Failure to pay water rent — Right to shut off water on premises — Refusal to serve subsequent occupant of premises.</p> <p>An order of the Public Service Commission requiring a water company to furnish water to a new occupant of a dwelling house, even though the former tenant was in arrears for unpaid water rent, is reasonable and in conformity with law.</p> <p>While there can be no doubt that a public service company has the power to make reasonable regulations with regard to the payment of water rentals and enforce such regulations, nevertheless if it permits its bills to run along without enforcing such reasonable requirements and employing ordinary business precaution, it is just as much at fault as the consumer who refuses to pay the account. Its dilatoriness should not be visited on the incoming tenant, who did not contract the bill, and should not be required to pay it. While the company possesses the right to establish its rates or tolls to be exacted as compensation and enforce regulations in regard to the payment thereof, it must exercise due diligence in the enforcement of such requirements, and cannot hold the incoming tenant responsible for tbe bills of the former occupant of the premises.</p>