Some tips for PGW

PHILADELPHIA Gas Works says that its lien program is legal. But the utility is blindsiding landlords across the city. Here are some suggestions to make the system fairer:

* Expand the Landlord Cooperation Program to commercial properties ASAP. It now protects residential landlords from liens if they enroll and agree to give PGW workers access to tenants' gas meters. Commercial landlords deserve the same deal.

* Loosen privacy regulations that prevent PGW from sharing tenant billing information with landlords, even when the landlords are being asked to pay the tenants' bills - plus penalties and interest. If tenants are gaming the system, screw their privacy.

* Make good-faith efforts to contact landlords before gas bills get out of hand and before liens are filed. This doesn't always happen.

* Remove PGW's lien authority by changing the law in Harrisburg. Or just sell the utility to a private operator that wouldn't have that authority.

* If liens must be filed, start doing it sooner. Landlords have almost no chance of recouping money from a tenant who split years ago.

- William Bender