§ 11-12-532 — Transfer of utility debt

11-12-532 Transfer of utility debt.

(a) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply: (1) "Comptroller", "LIHEAP" and "Participant" have the same meaning ascribed to these terms in Section 11-12-545(c). (2) "Qualifying transferee" means a natural person, who: (A) meets the eligibility criteria to participate in the LIHEAP with the exception of any United States citizenship requirement; provided, however, that said person does not need to participate in the LIHEAP; (B) agrees in writing, on a form prescribed by the Comptroller, to assume responsibility for all outstanding utility debt on the subject property; and (C) has signed an agreement to enroll in the Utility Billing Relief Program described in Section 11-12-545 for all utility debt. (3) "Subject property" means the real property owned and occupied by the Participant that is being transferred to, or inherited by, a qualifying transferee for which a full payment certificate is sought pursuant to this Section. (4) "Utility debt" means all water, sewer, and refuse charges, as well as all penalties, taxes, and fees that accrued to the utility account of the subject property. (b) If a Participant transfers the subject property to a qualifying transferee, or a qualifying transferee receives the entirety of the subject property through a court-ordered settlement or other court order in a domestic relations action, or a qualifying transferee inherits the entirety of the subject property by intestate succession or as a testamentary devisee, whether such transfer is subject to or exempt from the real property transfer tax pursuant to Chapter 3-33 of this Code, a full payment certificate shall be issued without immediate payment of the outstanding utility debt. (c) If real property is transferred or inherited pursuant to Section 11-12-532(b), the application fee specified in Section 11-12-530 shall be waived. (Added Coun. J. 11-7-22, p. 55595, Art. VII, § 1)