Can you skip a utility deposit when you move?
Often, yes. A 12-month letter of credit from your current electric utility, showing on-time payments, can waive the deposit at three providers that serve new Austin-area buildings: Austin Energy ($200), Pedernales Electric Cooperative (up to $150), and Georgetown Utility Systems ($250). That’s up to $250 less in move-in cash. It’s one of the steps in our move-in setup for every renter.
Step 1: Find out which utility serves your new address
Electric depends on the address. Across 144 board buildings on Oct 25, 2026: Austin Energy 83, Pedernales 28, Bluebonnet 13, Georgetown Utility Systems 3, and Oncor with plan choice 16. Our guide on which utility serves your address explains each one. We list the provider on every board card.
Step 2: Request the letter from your current utility
Contact your current electric utility, even if it’s in another state, and ask for a letter of credit (sometimes called a credit reference or payment history letter). It should show:
- Your name as the account holder
- At least 12 months of service
- On-time payment history, with no disconnections
- The utility’s contact information
Many utilities generate it online in a few minutes. Others mail or email it within a few days.
Step 3: Send it before your start date
Open your new account a week or more before move-in and submit the letter as part of setup. Timing matters: if service starts before the letter is reviewed, you may be billed the deposit and refunded later.
| Provider | Deposit | Waivable with 12-month letter? |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Energy | $200 | Yes |
| Pedernales Electric Cooperative | Up to $150 | Yes |
| Georgetown Utility Systems | $250 | Yes |
| Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative | Varies | Ask when you open service |
| Oncor areas | Set by your retail provider | Depends on the provider |
What it means for you
On a $1,500 first month plus a $500 security deposit, waiving a $200 Austin Energy deposit cuts move-in cash by about 10%.
Step 4: Start water
Water is separate. In Austin city limits, many buildings use Austin Water accounts; many others bill water, sewer, and trash through the property. If the property bills it, there’s no separate deposit, but the charge shows up on your rent statement. PUCT rules (16 TAC Ch. 24) require the property to disclose the billing method.
What if you don’t have a letter?
If you’ve never had an account in your name, you may need to pay the deposit. Options to ask about:
- A reference from a roommate’s or family member’s account, if you were listed on it
- Paying the deposit and asking when it’s refunded after on-time payments
- In Oncor areas, retail providers with no-deposit plans based on credit
Add it to move-in cash
Move-in cash = first month due + security deposit + application and admin fees + pet deposit + utility deposit. Our move-in cash calculator, listed on the tools page, shows the effect of a waiver. We’ll help you set it up before move-in.
