Residential and Commercial Deposit Requirements
New Braunfels Utilities requires a deposit that is based upon doubling of the annual average of the premise’s actual historical billings for utilities, as applicable, for existing residential and commercial locations. For locations with no previous billing history, see the Service Conditions Policy – Section II. Credit Requirements and Deposit Conditions to view deposit calculation criteria.
One-half of the deposit is due when making an application for service and the balance of the deposit will be billed by NBU on the first monthly bill. The deposit installment shall be payable along with the payment for Utility Services as provided in the Service Conditions Policy and subject to the same disconnection provisions contained in the Policy.
Please note that commercial and residential deposits have slight variations.
Residential Deposit Options
- A deposit paid in cash; by credit cards accepted by NBU (currently set at $1,500 limit per Customer of Record, per month), or by check.
- The option to sign up for Quick Connect in lieu of deposit; paid in cash, cashier’s check, money order, or by credit card.
- At such time that soft credit checks become operationally available to NBU, verification of an acceptable credit rating from a credit source utilized by NBU may allow a deposit to be waived; however, the credit check fee will be billed on the first monthly bill following the date the report was run.
- A new residential customer who has provided an approved letter of satisfactory credit history.
- An existing NBU residential customer who has established a satisfactory credit history with NBU for the last consecutive 12-month period.
- A satisfactory guaranty of payment.
Small and Large Commercial Deposit Options
- A deposit paid in cash, by NBU accepted credit cards (currently set at $1,500 limit per Customer of Record per month), or by check
- At such time that soft credit checks become operationally available to NBU, a verification of an acceptable credit rating from a credit source utilized by NBU (see “Credit Source”), may allow a deposit to be waived; however, the credit check fee will be billed on the first monthly bill following the date the report was run
- An unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit from an approved financial institution in form and substance satisfactory to NBU (see “Irrevocable Letter of Credit”)
- An existing NBU Small Commercial customer who has established a satisfactory credit history with NBU for the last 24-month period (see “Satisfactory Credit History”)
- A Surety Bond with power of attorney from an approved insurance company in form and substance satisfactory to NBU – only if estimated aggregated annual billed sales exceed $100,000 per customer (see “Surety Bond”)
- An unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit from an approved financial institution in form and substance satisfactory to NBU (see “Irrevocable Letter of Credit”)
- Additional credit/collateral may be required in certain special (individual) circumstances when determined by NBU
For additional deposit details or requirements view the Service Conditions Policy – Section II. Credit Requirements and Deposit Conditions.
Residential customers may have their deposit waived:
- If a residential customer transfers within the NBU service territory, or moves out of the NBU service area, and then returns to the NBU service area within 12-months or less, the customer’s prior NBU credit history and payment record will be considered for purposes of NBU deposit requirements. An otherwise required deposit will be waived if the applicant for service previously established a Satisfactory Credit History.
- Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve members of the U.S. military will qualify to have the deposit waived upon providing their non-expired Military ID to NBU.
- Victims of domestic violence as identified by law enforcement authorities and evidenced by submission of a certification letter developed by the Texas Council on Family Violence or applicable regulatory agency.
- Applicants 65 years-of-age and older may qualify to have the deposit waived.
Small commercial customers may have their deposit waived:
- If a Small Commercial customer transfers within the NBU service territory or moves out of the NBU service area and then returns to the NBU service area within 12-months or less, the customer’s prior NBU credit history and payment record will be considered for purposes of NBU deposit requirements. An otherwise required deposit will be waived if the applicant for service previously established a Satisfactory Credit History.
- Having no more than two past due (late) payments during
- the last 12-months of NBU service for residential customers;
- the last 36-months of NBU service for small commercial customers;
- the last 60-months of NBU service for large commercial customers
- Have not had service disconnected for nonpayment; and
- Have not had a check, credit card, auto-draft, or an auto-pay payment returned for non-sufficient funds.
- Customer deposit(s) shall be held by NBU for a period of time not less than
- 12-months for residential customers;
- 36-months for small commercial customers.
- Customer deposit(s) shall be held by NBU for the life of the account for large commercial customers.
- Deposits will be credited to the account during the last three months of the calendar year, unless the customer has not established a Satisfactory Credit History.
- When Utility Services are terminated, the deposit will be credited on the final bill and any remaining credit will be refunded to the customer. If tampering or theft of service has occurred at any time in the history of the account, the customer of record will not be eligible for a deposit refund until the close of the account.
Yes. If a deposit has been waived or returned to the customer, or if other acceptable credit conditions no longer apply, and the customer has not established a Satisfactory Credit History, the deposit or other credit surety requirement shall be reinstated, or other measures designed to protect NBU will be implemented. If the deposit is reinstated, one-half of the amount due will be billed on the next monthly bill and the remaining half of the deposit will be billed on the following monthly bill upon notification to the customer via U.S. mail to the mailing address on the account that a deposit reinstatement is necessary.
Residential customers who are required to pay a deposit have the option to pay a one-time non-refundable charge of $250.00 instead of a deposit at the time of application. This fee must be paid in cash, cashier’s check, money order, or by credit card.
Customers must complete the Quick Connect form at the time of application. Customers choosing this option who have an outstanding past-due balance with NBU will be required to pay the balance in full before applying for Quick Connect Service.
Customers selecting the Quick Connect service option may receive same-day service (for locations where NBU services and meters exist) if a valid application is received and approved for connection by NBU by 12:00 p.m. on an NBU business day.
Customers selecting the Quick Connect option shall be required to pay a deposit if the customer does not maintain a Satisfactory Credit History. If the deposit is required, one-half of the amount due will be billed on the next monthly bill, and the remaining half of the deposit will be billed on the following monthly bill, upon notification to the customer of record via U.S. mail to the mailing address on the account that a deposit is required.