HOUSTON – Planning a move to the Houston suburbs — or already building a home there? A surprise utility bill could throw your budget off track before you even unpack. KPRC 2’s Sandy Torres breaks down a few quick checks every buyer should make before signing on the dotted line.
Find out who bills you
The first step is knowing who your water provider actually is. That could be a city, a landlord or a Municipal Utility District, commonly known as a MUD.
Next, check your meter. KPRC 2 has previously reported on faulty meters in certain municipalities. If the meter is modern and equipped with automatic meter reading technology, homeowners in some areas can monitor usage online. Residents in northeast Harris County can check on eyeonwater.com.
If the home is already built, checking for leaks is also a smart move before closing.
What a Houston real estate agent recommends
Real estate agent Juan Lanza with The Agency Team says buyers should do their homework — especially in MUD districts, where costs can vary widely.
“I always tell buyers, they have to check who the provider is. Look at the track record. They have to do some leg work. Especially if you are in a MUD district, it just varies a lot, water, sewage, rates, all of that is important,” Lanza said.
Who regulates water services in Texas
The Texas Public Utility Commission and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, known as TCEQ, manage and regulate water services across the state. In some cases, those agencies will investigate complaints.
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