Rental Properties

Renters
The City requires that utility bills remain in the property owner’s name.  If you are responsible for the utility bill, please contact your property management company or the owner of the property.

In the case of landlord/tenant disputes, please refer to the Montana Landlord Tenants’ Rights & Responsibilities information available at the Montana Department of Justice website in the resources section below. The Montana Legal Services Association can often provide assistance to renters and has resources for obtaining repairs from landlords and other information on leases, rental agreements and security deposits.

Owners (rental properties only)
All City utility accounts must stay in the property owner’s name per recorded title of ownership of real estate property. If you have a property management company who manages your property, we will need a Property Management Authorization form filled out by you and submitted to our department. 

This form gives the management company authorization to act on your behalf. 

To request a copy of the utility bill be sent directly to your tenant, please submit a written request via email to utilities@cityofwhitefish.gov, please note the bill will appear in the below format:

Property Owners Name, c/o Current Resident, 123 ABC Street.

The bill is not prorated, and we do not do final reads or move-in reads.  It is your responsibility to contact us to stop the copy of the bill going to your tenant.

Please Note:  Unpaid water, sewer and garbage charges are ultimately the property owner’s responsibility.  It is the owner’s or property management company’s responsibility to make sure the bills are paid between tenants.  Otherwise, a tax assessment/lien will be placed on the property.  Please contact us if you need help determining if an account has been paid.