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Billing & Rate Information
Please select an option: Starting &
Ending Your
Service The first question you will be asked is, “Are you renting or buying?” If you are buying, we need the exact address or the name of the previous owner. If you are renting, we need verification from the landlord. The application clerk will need to see two pieces of identification—one preferably a picture ID. If your mailing address is different from the service address, you need to provide it when you sign for service. A security deposit is required for Electric, Water and Sewer service (click here for deposit information). This security deposit is always applied against your final bill when service is discontinued. To waiver the deposit, a credit inquiry will be processed on all customers. If you require a co-signer, a credit inquiry will also be processed on the co-signer. The co-signer needs to come to the office to sign your application and a co-signer agreement in order to have your service started without the security deposit. There is a $25 service charge on your first bill. This is a one time charge for all residential, commercial and industrial customers. This charge helps to offset the cost of setting up the account and physically beginning service at the requested location. By Telefax If you live out of town, you can request that, CU fax a form for you to provide appropriate information, sign and fax back to our office. You agree on the form to supply us with a security deposit or a co-signer. If a deposit is required, it must be paid before the service can be turned on. How to Discontinue your Service Your service may be disconnected by telephone if you can provide appropriate and correctly matching identification. You need an exact date for disconnection and to give a final mailing address. Please have a current telephone number ready where you can be reached. Twenty-four hours’ notice is required for disconnection. Discontinue your service online (click here)
How your Billing Cycle Works The following is an explanation of the Cleveland Utilities billing cycle. A CU customer’s meter was read on June 10. This covered a billing period of approximately 30 days prior to June 10 for service used during that time. The customer’s bill was mailed on June 20. The past-due date for payment was July 8. If payment is received after this date, the penalty will be applied to the account. Since July 8 falls on Friday, the customer may pay the bill in the office or at any of CU’s collection agencies until closing time on that date. Payments made in the night depository at CU before 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 11, will also be penalty exempt—as well as payments mailed with a July 8 postmark. On July 11 a second notice will be mailed. This reminder notifies the customer that disconnection is scheduled for July 21 if payment is not received or arrangements made before that date. At this point the customer’s meter will have been read again—probably around July 10—for the next billing cycle. This bill will have been mailed or will be mailed by the disconnection date for the previous month’s billing period. Thus, when a CU customer is disconnected for nonpayment, that customer actually owes two months’ bills for service used during the two previous months. Briefly: Meter Read ....................................June 10 Bill Mailed ......................................June 20 Past-due Date (Penalty Applied).............. July 8 Meter Read Again ..............................July 10 Second Notice Mailed .........................July 11 Subject to Disconnection .....................July 21
Payment Assistance & Arrangements Cleveland Utilities requires all bills be paid by no later than 10 days after the past due date. Failure to do so will result in the disconnection of service unless satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Collection Department. These arrangements are made according to the individual need, the amount and past due date of the bill, and available outside assistance. Outside assistance is granted through various civic and government agencies. These agencies are :Bradley County Chapter of the American Red Cross, United Way of Bradley County, and Bradley/Cleveland Community Services. A program through with all customers of Cleveland Utilities may assist others in need is Project Help. Through this program, customers may stipulate an amount to be billed monthly on their utility bill. The money collected is transferred to United Way of Bradley County which screens applicants to determine need and distributes funds according to those findings. For payment arrangements contact the Cleveland Utilities Collection Department at (423) 478-9361.
The deposit may be waived if the customer has a satisfactory credit inquiry. If a co-signer signs for service, the co-signer must have a satisfactory credit inquiry for the deposit to be waived. The credit inquiry is performed by a third party vendor. Deposits for commercial services vary and are set for each location by the Collection Department, These deposits are based on three factors: 1.) Past Usage history for the location. 2.) Estimated usage for the business to be located there. 3.) Past pay history of
the business and responsible parties
Click here for Payment Options
Other Services offered by Cleveland Utilities Announced Outage Program-CU makes a sincere effort to inform residential, commercial, and industrial customers of scheduled and nonscheduled outages when at all possible. Bank Draft-This service offers automatic bill payment through the customer's bank. Application may be made in the CU office. The customer still receives a bill which will be paid by the bank. Critical Care Customers-CU maintains a list of customers who would be a high risk physically in the event of a power outage. Effort is made to minimize outage time for these persons. A physician's statement is necessary to be placed on this list. Bill Payment through Agents Other than CU-Customers not wishing to mail their payments or bring them into the CU office may pay at any bank branch in the area. Medical Center Pharmacy, Medi-Mart, Moore Sundries and Super Discount Pharmacy also accept CU payments. Payments may also be made on our web page. Electric Grills-Cu is now selling electric grills at less than the retail price of $200. Enjoy the thrill of an electric grill for only $120-tax included. You'll never have smudgy hands, and you won't waste time and gasoline lugging around a heavy propane tank. Levelized- The levelized billing eliminates seasonal high and low bills and equalizes the monthly payments. Heat Pump Loans-CU offers heat pump financing to encourage the installation of energy-efficient heat pumps. A customer may enjoy heat in winter, cooling in summer, and safe efficiency all year. there is no down payment, ten years to pay and a free on-site inspection to ensure correct installation of the unit. Outdoor Lights-Customers may request outdoor security lights. These are installed and maintained by CU. They require a three-year contract and are attached to a new or existing utility pole. Project Help-Project Help is designed to aid the handicapped, elderly, and less privileged meet their energy needs. CU offers its customers the opportunity of a tax-deductible contribution added to their monthly bill. One hundred percent of all funds collected are distributed by the United Way to those in need.
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