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12-27-2007, 11:07 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
985 posts, read 626,611 times
Reputation: 136
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What's the deal with security deposts
So my wife and I have excellent credit and we are are moving to Austin from Seattle. I'm getting the utilities setup and they all want a security deposit for the first year. What is the deal with that? I've lived in CA and WA and never had to pay a security deposit for utilities.
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12-27-2007, 11:43 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Feb 2007
96 posts, read 133,408 times
Reputation: 31
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I think that's how they deal with the high student population.
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12-28-2007, 02:37 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Austin, TX
3,019 posts, read 1,975,821 times
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I'm guessing you are primarily referring to City of Austin provided utilities... like Austin Energy, and water/trash/wastewater if you live in the city. Well, it's a monopoly.
They charge a deposit based on the history of electricity/water usage at that address... so, if the people prior to you were particularly wasteful, your deposit will be higher. It can be a big deal if you move into a place with huge summer electric bills -- if the deposit is really high, watch out. Call COA utilities and ask them about the previous usage at that address. Might be a really inefficient, poorly insulated place... or malfunctioning A/C system.
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12-28-2007, 06:28 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Leander, Tx a nw suburb of Austin by way of San Antonio!
1,294 posts, read 1,683,010 times
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Out here in Leander we use Atmos Gas, City of Leander Water and PEC and we asked how to waive the fees and they said to get a letter from the previous ulitilty and they would waive the fee.
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12-28-2007, 08:00 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Pflugerville
74 posts, read 86,710 times
Reputation: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by neddy
Out here in Leander we use Atmos Gas, City of Leander Water and PEC and we asked how to waive the fees and they said to get a letter from the previous ulitilty and they would waive the fee.
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I had the same thing with TXU electric. City of Pflugerville water however did have a deposit that was refunded after the first year. |
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12-28-2007, 10:48 AM
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Retired Slacker
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Austin, TX
4,251 posts, read 4,816,896 times
Reputation: 727
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The COA refunds the deposit after one year (or used to) plus interest. You can probably get it waived if you work at it, though.
__________________
TrainWreck
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12-28-2007, 12:19 PM
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Obama '08
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austin 'burbs
3,226 posts, read 3,896,645 times
Reputation: 444
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Woodinvilleguy is moving to Williamson County, Round Rock... not Austin City limits.
We had the same thing - I wondered why too... I just paid it, with such a big move, I had too many other things to deal with... but I also thought it was odd. We have never paid deposits either in WA... but I guess I just chalked it up to one of the many differences (and there are many) about living here.
I do think that with a year of excellent payment history, you get it back.
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12-29-2007, 09:36 AM
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Real Estate Agent
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: SW Austin
2,578 posts, read 2,213,149 times
Reputation: 1003
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy
So my wife and I have excellent credit and we are are moving to Austin from Seattle. I'm getting the utilities setup and they all want a security deposit for the first year. What is the deal with that? I've lived in CA and WA and never had to pay a security deposit for utilities.
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They use to waive the deposit with a letter from your previous utility provider. Was that not offered as an option?
Steve |
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12-30-2007, 12:30 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
985 posts, read 626,611 times
Reputation: 136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by austin-steve
They use to waive the deposit with a letter from your previous utility provider. Was that not offered as an option?
Steve
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I'll talk to them. |
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