It’s an easy process if you’ve married, divorced, or legally changed your name, or if you just want to correct a typo. Simply contact the utility company and inform them of the situation. Some businesses will make the change right away, while others may send you a “change of account holder information” form to fill out. Fill out this form and provide a copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order permitting the name change with it. You can usually edit your account holder information online if you handle your bills online. Log in to your account, alter your name, and explain why you want to change your name. After that, just click “change information” and you’re done.
How can I alter my name on my water bill in the United Kingdom?
We take the privacy of our customers’ data very seriously, thus the person whose name is currently on the bill will have to request this change.
In Ontario, how can I change my name on my utilities?
To begin, you must contact your current utility provider to cancel service at your previous address. Disconnecting service from any utility requires at least five days’ notice, so don’t wait until the last minute. It’s best to give yourself a week or two’s notice. You should be able to reach out to your utility by email or phone.
Your account number, which can be found on your energy and natural gas bills, is required. You’ll also need to call an electricity or natural gas retailer if you have a contract with them. Give your retail provider at least two weeks’ notice if possible. If they are unable to serve you at your new address, they will transfer your service or cancel your contract.
How can I alter my name on my power bill in the United Kingdom?
Correcting the name on your account is a reasonably simple process if you only need to update the name or title on your utility invoices, but the payment information remain the same. The simplest approach to do this is through your supplier’s website’s customer interface. Although different websites have slightly different user interfaces, the following steps should be followed:
- Re-access your account and repeat the second and third steps to ensure your name has been altered.
How do I change my bank account details?
Alternatively, you might keep the name at the top of your statement the same but alter the account from which the bill is paid. You may want to modify your utility accounts so that your bank information are used for payment if your spouse is wounded, unwell, or unable to work. The bill’s name, however, stays the same.
If you don’t want to change your name on your utility bills online, you can call your supplier and request that they correct your information for you. If you have an online-only energy tariff, however, you may not be able to do so.
Getting consent for changes on the account
Your energy provider may ask the current account holder, the new account holder / payer, or both for permission. They may make this request orally (in which case you can simply give consent over the phone). If the supplier asks a letter of authority, you can either send it in the mail or scan it and send it electronically.
Can you have 2 names on a utility bill?
If you’ve just moved in with a partner, married, or taken on a new housemate, you should update your utility bills and account to include their name. Although you may not be able to accomplish this online, it is quite simple to do. In most circumstances, calling, writing, or emailing your energy provider to add a new name to your utility account is the only option to do so. You should be able to resolve this with the help of a customer support professional.
It’s worth noting, though, that when a new name is added to your utility bill, that individual now shares responsibility for the payments, as well as the potential consequences if they aren’t paid on time. They also have an effect on both partners’ credit scores.
Is it possible to have joint electric bills?
Putting two names on a utility bill is not difficult once both parties agree to share responsibilityit usually simply takes both parties to inform the energy company over the phone or in person.
When you relocate, what do you do with your utility bills?
It’s a good idea to notify your current utility providers at least 48 hours before you leave your present residence. They’ll need your new address to send out your final bills, and they’ll either ask you to take meter readings on the day you move out or arrange for them to do it themselves.
What are the upcoming water and sewer rate increases?
Beginning June 1, 2016, and every year afterwards, the yearly water rates shall be raised upwardly, if applicable, by applying the preceding year’s rate of inflation, according to the Municipal Code of Chicago. This increase is based on the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index – Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (Chicago All Items) for the 365-day period ending on the most recent January 1. However, any such annual rise must be limited to 105 percent of the preceding year’s rate.
Water and sewer rates rise in lockstep with the rate of inflation. These hikes are required to meet the ongoing costs of delivering safe, clean drinking water as well as eliminating waste water and storm runoff from Chicago’s streets. All of this is performed through a network of purification plants, tunnels, pumping stations, water mains, sewer mains, valves, and structures that need to be maintained on a regular basis. These services are required to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s water quality criteria. Chicago’s rates for fresh, clean water will remain among the lowest in the country, at less than a cent a gallon.
How do I determine if I have a metered or non-metered account?
Your account type is indicated in the blue box next to the Bill Summary on your consolidated utility bill. It will say whether the account is non-metered, metered, or MeterSave.
How are non-metered accounts billed?
Non-metered accounts are for properties without a water meter to track usage. Non-metered accounts, unlike metered accounts, are charged a set fee depending on characteristics such as building size, lot size, and plumbing fixtures, according to the Municipal Code of Chicago. A breakdown of the computed charges particular to the property is presented on the reverse of non-metered utility bills. See Chapter 11-12-270 of the Chicago Municipal Code for more information on non-metered charges.
How are metered accounts billed?
The actual water usage measured by the water meter is used to bill metered accounts. Water usage is measured in gallons or cubic feet, depending on the type of water meter installed on your home. Metered accounts’ water charges are computed by multiplying the amount of water used by the water rate.
Depending on the property type, metered accounts are billed monthly or bi-weekly.
The Department of Water Management (DWM) is occasionally unable to obtain an accurate meter reading. You will be sent an approximate bill if this happens. When DWM is able to obtain an accurate meter reading, you will be sent a bill that accurately reflects your usage. Customers are encouraged to request the installation of an automatic meter reader to minimize estimated reads that may not accurately reflect real usage. For further information, contact the DWM at 312.747.2862.
Can I manage my utility billing account online?
For utility bills, we now have a new web gateway. The following are some of the useful online features:
You can pay your bills with automatic debits from your bank account using the AutoPay feature. You won’t have to remember to pay your bill if you use AutoPay. There are no service costs, and you will be notified via email before the automated deduction takes place.
What is the Water-Sewer Tax?
Water and sewer tax costs have been included on utility bills since March 2017. The money raised from this tax will be used to make certain pension payments that are required by law. All non-exempt Chicago companies and residents are subject to the tax, which is reported as a distinct line item on utility bills. The Water-Sewer Tax FAQ lists the specific tax rates for each year.
What is the Garbage Fee?
The garbage fee is assessed to all premises that receive waste collection from the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. See the Garbage Fee website for further details.
How do I dispute my utility bill?
We recommend paying online, over the phone, or in person at a City of Chicago Department of Finance Payment Center if you have received a notification of water service termination.
Payment plans are available if you are unable to pay your amount in full. More details can be found under utility bill payment plans.
How do I change the name on an account when a property has transferred or is going to be transferred?
Through the Full Payment Certificate Process, the owner’s name is changed. When real estate is transferred in the City of Chicago, the transferor must acquire a Full Payment Certificate (FPC) from the Chicago Department of Finance, as required by ordinance. The FPC application informs the Department of Finance that service should be transferred from the transferor’s name to the transferee’s name.
Please contact the Department of Finance/Utility Billing & Customer Service if you continue to receive invoices in the previous owner’s name. You can request a change by filling out the Change of Owner Name/Mailing Address Form. You may be needed to produce a copy of the deed and/or full payment certificate if Utility Billing & Customer Service does not have a record of the Full Payment Certificate from your closing.
How do I get a refund?
A Refund Application is available for download. Fill out the application completely and thoroughly. Make sure it’s entirely filled out and that you’ve attached all of the required supporting documents. Due to a lack of paperwork, an incomplete application will be declined.
Why am I receiving an estimated bill?
Meters are typically read every 30 to 60 days. The Department of Water Management is occasionally unable to obtain an accurate meter reading. This could happen if we are unable to receive an electronic signal from your meter or if access to the meter is restricted. You will be sent an approximate bill if this happens. When the Department of Water Management is able to obtain an accurate meter reading, you will be sent a bill that accurately reflects your usage.
Customers are encouraged to request the installation of an automatic meter reader to make it easier to collect accurate meter readings and assure accurate billing. For further information, contact the DWM at 312.747.2862.
I received a letter stating that my meter is running continuously, what does this mean?
This letter is being sent to you as a courtesy to alert you about the possibility of a water leak in or on your property. A meter that keeps running is a sign of a leak. It could also be the amount of water you use on a regular basis. This is something you should look into further.
By ordinance, the Department of Finance must bill and collect for all water usage recorded on your water meter. When water has been used, squandered, or lost due to leakage after registration, no account modifications or billing cancellation can be performed.
I received an Orange Notice of Water Service Termination what does this mean?
This implies that owing to non-payment, your water will be turned off as of the date on the notice. You must make payment or enter into a payment plan by the shut-off date on the notice to avoid water service termination.
I received a Yellow Notice of Water Service Termination what does this mean?
This implies that your water will be turned off as of the date on the notice because DWM has been denied access to the building’s water meter. To avoid having your water supply terminated, call DWM at 312.747.9090 to schedule a meter reading within 10 days of the notice’s date.
What should I do if my water has been shut-off for non-payment?
You must either pay your account in full or enroll in an eligible payment plan if you qualify.
Before your water service can be restored, you must sign a Release of Liability if your water has been turned off for more than 30 days.
NOTE: A $500.00 punishment will be imposed if your water is unlawfully restored. The Department of Water Management inspects properties on a regular basis to see if the water has been unlawfully restored.
Can a tenant have the water bill put in their name?
Although a property owner may request that water bills be delivered to a tenant’s name, this does not absolve the owner of the subject property of duty for unpaid utility expenses. To include the tenant’s name in the mailing address, please fill out a Change of Owner Name/Mailing Address Form.
Does filing bankruptcy relieve me of outstanding utility charges?
Your account will be updated to reflect that the bankruptcy was filed for the stated pre-petition charges after you have been notified. All new post-petition charges must be paid in whole and on time by you. We reserve the right to pursue collection actions, including the termination of your water service, if your current costs are not paid.
How do I remove my name from an account for a property lost in foreclosure?
The titleholder of record is responsible for all utility billing account charges up to the date of foreclosure, according to the Chicago Municipal Code. The borrower may still have certain rights to the property until a Foreclosure Deed is signed. The titleholder of record remains liable for utility billing obligations if the foreclosure is only pending (Lis Pendens) and not yet executed.