EspañolI can’t connect my electricity because my meter is locked with a switch hold.
What is a “Switch Hold”, and why is it so complicated?
If you’re reading this, it’s because you’re lost in the “land of confusion”. It’s one of the most complicated topics in the retail energy world: the SWITCH HOLD. As confusing and frustrating as it is for you, it’s even more complicated for anyone to explain (even when we consider ourselves experts in the industry).
I will do my best to give you an idea of what it is and what you need to do to remove this unpleasant problem. However, you need to read carefully and be patient because, in order to conquer this “Switch Hold” situation, you must be prepared to spend time on several phone calls, emails, and faxes. If you have the smallest doubt or think you may encounter a Switch Hold problem, and you are in the process to move into a new home, act quickly! Switch holds may take 72 hours to be removed.
What is a Switch Hold?
There is no official definition of the term “switch hold”, but in retail electricity, it means there’s a “lock” or block on the electricity meter. This “switch hold” is placed on the meter of a specific service-able residential address for 2 main reasons:
a) to ensure the resident responsible for the utilities for that address pays the unpaid utility bill to the REP (Retail Electricity Provider), or
b) to resolve a “tampering” on the address meter placed by the TDSP.
How to Remove a Switch Hold
Let’s review and see what to do in both scenarios.
- When you move to a new address, you bring in all your utilities including cable, satellite, home phone, internet, electricity services, etc. You don’t know which providers were servicing that specific address and the last resident, who may have forgot to disconnect. With energy service, if the last resident didn’t call the electricity provider to move out or cancel the account, the electricity will keep running. It cuts off when it reaches a certain amount owed, but the account stays in a “stand by” mode. It’st now a debt to the energy provider for nonpayment, and this REP, through TDSP, issues the SWITCH HOLD. The energy provider does not know the previous customer moved out.
Now that you need a new electric provider, you call us for a new energy service and we tell you that there is a “switch hold”. It is not the job of the landlord to get rid of it. However, he has all the tools to help you
Meters
remove it and establish the new energy service of your preference.
- Here is what you have to do: Call us and create an electricity account; you will need the account number. The sales rep will explain the situation. Make sure to ask for the ESI ID # (meter number) and write it down. Ask the sales rep to fax/email either you or your landlord the Appendix J2 form – New Occupant Statement. Get a copy of your lease agreement (not just the front page, but the full document) and the J2 form signed with a contact number. It’s very important to have all of these documents in order and typed – nothing handwritten. All signatures and dates must be in order. Write the account number the sales rep gave you on all pages and the J2 form and fax/email them to us.
- All this drama is for making sure you really are a new resident unlucky enough to have moved into an address with a switch hold. If there is the slightest chance that the TDSP can link you with the resident who left the premises with the unpaid electric bill, they will not remove the switch hold.
2. When there has been tampering done by a previous resident, follow the same instructions.
Electricity Express Helps Its Customers with Switch Holds
Moving into a new address is complicated enough without adding this kind of ordeal. You want your energy running without any additional complications. I have helped a lot of customers with this issue. I know how to fill out the forms and how the documents should look. This is my recommendation to you: at the first hint of a problem related to a switch hold, gather as much information as you can (as listed above), and call me at #ElectricityExpress; 855 722 7199. Don’t waste time because you need your electricity a.s.a.p.; we need to act quickly. I will ask you some questions; trust me, they’re for your own benefit. I can help you by mediating between your landlord and the energy company. As you’re moving boxes and getting settled, I will do the phone calls while sending and receiving emails or faxes for you.
Don’t forget to follow our blog and videos about saving on energy. At Electricity Express, we know we can help.
If you are experiencing a Switch Hold issue during your enrollment process, then it is possible the previous occupant left without fulfilling outstanding debt.
Correct. Most of the time, switch hold are placed by retail energy provider in order to collect debt, usually the previous occupant did not close the account before leaving the premises. We know the documentation necessary to prove a new resident needs electricity, we make sure the utility get the documents in order to be sure the switch hold will be removed. We inform our customers the exact way the documents have to be presented to the utility so we do it right from the beginning. Thank you for your comment. If you need more information we can help. 855 722 7199 855 722 7199
I have a switch hold on my electricity how can I get out
with what company is the Switch Hold with and for How much?
The electricity is with first choice electric company
Thank you for your web inquiry, we do not work with First Choice Power, they only do prepaid, we have other companies, either with prepaid or contract plans. You can call us at 855 722 7199.
There is a switch hold on my meter from my ex boyfriends name my elect is off and i have a new baby
It is from stream. 300 doll
What can i do. No money for 2 weeks
I just rented a house and found out there is a switch hold. I sent in lease and had a new tenent paper that was noterized and still got denied due to the old elect company saying i called them ( never happend. Dont even know who it is) what do i do now
I’m trying to get electricity at my new residents, but it has a switch hold on it. I don’t have a lease per say, it’s a house n landlord know me n didn’t sign lease, what can I do about that
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i have not had electric for over 30 days now
i built the house in 2010 i’ve never rented or
least at my house to anyone I’m the only person that’s been there since it was built the electric is not in my name i do you not know the person someone put electric meter in there
name i went to change company’s from
my company to reliant in belton tx she said all is good i gave her deposit when they switched
it stayed off about 4hours then i called reliant
to let her know she said there is nothing she could do i told her you took my deposit and
and you would think that she would have noticed some thing when she did the app
on me so i went back to her she got on phone with txu and said she was me . for over 1 hour
txu gave her the person name & # & address
number was fake .not a good address for person. i could not get them to talk to me
they kept asking for account # i don’t have account with them they refused to give me there name or ext # it was terrible service
you wonder why i don’t have a account
there so the tempary pole i built house with
that i’m using with extension cords to my
house thanks scott w
Sorry I did not catch this comment before. I may be able to direct you to the correct department to resolve your issue. Please call 469 288 3327. Gabriel
hi I moved in two days ago and I found out the delay was due to a switchhold on the account. i have called and the other renter before me had a outstanding balance.I need help my grandchildren live with me and it is cold I can’t be without power.
Sorry I did not catch this comment before. I may be able to direct you to the correct department to resolve your issue. Please call 469 288 3327. Gabriel
[email protected]
Mrs Velez. The only way to remove the switchold is by paying the amount due. In the case you need financial assistance you can reach out to LEHAP From a landline, call toll free at 1-877-399-8939 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The toll free number will directly connect you with the CEAP service provider in your county. Or, visit Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and select “Utility Bill Payment Help.”. https://liheapassistance.org/applying-for-liheap/how-to-apply/?utm_source=Google_Search&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=LIHEAP_TX&utm_content=General&utm_term=Help%20paying%20bills&gclid=CjwKCAjw0qOIBhBhEiwAyvVcf8MBQ6hfdvt3wYJweG22Euj2c8hYGSWg9_rJ6_aL0_BGEjOHp_MEAxoCuQoQAvD_BwE
Or you can search for an organization that can help you with a PLEDGE.
In your case, this is the ONLY way to remove it.
Sorry I’m not more of your help.
i need light
Please provide information demonstrating that you are a new resident at the address. 1, New lease agreement. 2, New occupant statement. Send that to the utility and they will review and release the switch hold on the meter.
Good luck