DALLAS WATER UTILITIES DEPT

We moved into a rental house in the Kings Highway neighborhood.   In early October I called to get the water switched to my name from the owner's.  Apparently, the owner/landlord had an outstanding bill.  Initially, the water company told me that that bill would have to be paid before they would transfer the service to me.  I explained to them that I was renting the house and the account would be in my name.  They told me to fax the lease, SSN and driver's license to them and that it would be switched over.  Flash forward 1.5 months -- the owner of the house contacted me saying that I needed to get the water switched into my name.  I explained that I had contacted the water company in early October and it should have been taken care of.  I called the water company AGAIN this AM and was told that unless the prior water customer paid their bill, I could not get water in my name.  Apparently they were "less than honest" when I spoke with them in October.  The owner of the property is going to go ahead and pay the outstanding bill.  I believe, however, that someone should do a review on the business practices of the Dallas water company because of the experience I've had.