The City of Summerside says it is considering a new policy that would make landlords responsible for unpaid power bills.

The proposal was discussed at a council committee meeting after it was learned the city has $1.3 million in unpaid electrical bills owing to its electric utility.

Summerside takes in $20 million a year from the utility with the majority of people paying them on time.

Bayside Group CEO Scott Brown said the idea is ridiculous. His company owns 50 rental units in the city.

"I'm collecting rent payments and now I have to make sure I'm looking over everybody's shoulder making sure that they're paying their electricity bill. I mean, it doesn't add any income for me, it just makes my life a lot more difficult. It doesn't make me want to expand any faster or acquire any more tenants, or any more units, for sure."

Summerside's Director of Finance, Rob Philpott said involving landlords is just another option for council to consider that if for whatever reason the tenant is unable to pay in a timely matter or doesn't pay at all, then landlords could potentially be held accountable for that.

If passed, the new policy would apply to commercial, residential and industrial rentals.

Philpott said the proposal is being considered by the council at this time and will be discussed with the public.