City of Odessa Utility Move-Out Guide for Stopping Water, Sewer and Trash Billing
Moving out of an Odessa address is not finished when you hand over the keys. If the water account stays active in your name, you may still be responsible for water, sewer, trash, stormwater, late fees, meter access issues, or a final balance after you leave.
This guide explains how to request stop service, what to ask before your move-out date, how deposits may apply to the final bill, why you should confirm the final meter read, how to pay the last balance, and which official City of Odessa contacts to use before you move.
Call before move-out
432Call 432-335-3204 and ask how to stop service, request final billing, and confirm whether a final meter read is needed.
Email with details
@Send your name, account number or address, phone number, move-out date, and final mailing address to Billing & Collection.
Pay final balance
5%Odessa lists a 5% delinquent fee on accounts unpaid 25 days after billing date, so confirm the final amount and due date.
Best first sentence when you contact Odessa
“I am moving out and need to stop my City of Odessa utility service. Can you confirm the required stop-service process, final meter read, final bill address, deposit handling, and last amount I will owe?”
How to Cancel or Stop City of Odessa Water Service When Moving Out
Odessa’s public pages clearly list how to start service and pay bills, but a separate public “stop service” form was not visible during review. For move-out service cancellation, use Billing & Collection directly and ask for the exact stop-service process for your account.
Contact Billing & Collection before your move-out date
Call 432-335-3204 or email Billing & Collection. Do this before you move, not after the new tenant, buyer, or landlord has already taken over the property.
Give complete account identification
Provide the customer name, service address, account number, customer number if available, phone number, email, and the exact date you want service responsibility to end.
Ask if a final meter reading will be scheduled
Odessa’s utility agreement says City personnel operate, maintain, and read the meter. Ask whether a final read will be taken for your move-out date and how final usage will be billed.
Do not turn the meter off yourself
The official service agreement says meters are City property and may only be turned on or off by authorized City personnel except emergencies. Do not touch the meter to “cancel” service yourself.
Request written confirmation
Ask for confirmation that the stop-service request was received, the effective date, final bill address, deposit handling, and whether any action is still needed from you.
Final Odessa Water Bill: What to Confirm Before You Leave
The final bill is the most important part of move-out. It may include water, sewer, trash, stormwater, unpaid balance, delinquent fees, or final usage from the last meter read. Do not close your records until the account is fully settled.
| Final bill item | Why it matters | What to ask | Action button |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final service date | This decides when your billing responsibility should end. | What date will service stop in my name? | Call Billing |
| Final meter read | Usage after your move-out date can create disputes. | Will there be a final meter read and when? | Email request |
| Forwarding address | The final bill needs somewhere to go after you leave. | Can you confirm my final mailing address? | Send address |
| Deposit application | The service agreement says deposits on the account will be applied to the final bill. | How will my deposit be applied and will anything remain due? | Ask Billing |
| Late fee risk | Odessa lists a 5% fee for accounts unpaid 25 days after billing date. | What is the final due date? | View payment options |
| Payment proof | You may need proof if the landlord, buyer, or City asks later. | Can I get a receipt or confirmation number? | Customer portal |
Odessa Utility Deposit and Move-Out: What Happens at Final Bill?
Odessa’s service agreement says any deposits on the account will be applied to the final bill if service is discontinued for default. For normal move-out closure, you should still ask Billing & Collection how your deposit will be handled for your exact account.
Owner deposit
$30Odessa’s Billing & Collection page lists a $30 deposit for one home inside the city and $35 outside the city.
Renter deposit
$125Odessa lists a $125 renter deposit, which may drop to $60 if good utility credit is shown.
Commercial deposit
$200+Larger or commercial account deposits start at $200 and are based on past usage.
Ask whether your deposit is on file
If you paid a deposit at start service, ask whether it is still on the account and how it will be applied to your final balance.
Ask whether the deposit fully covers the final bill
Your final bill may be higher or lower than the deposit. Ask whether you will owe a balance or whether there may be a credit after final charges are applied.
Confirm where any refund or final notice goes
Give a forwarding mailing address and a working email/phone number. Do not rely on the old service address after moving out.
Odessa Renters Moving Out: Avoid Paying After Lease End
Renters are at the highest risk of move-out utility problems because a landlord, property manager, or next tenant may assume water service responsibility changes automatically. It does not always happen unless the account holder requests closure.
Before lease ends
Move-out photo checklist
Take photos of the property condition, keys returned, lease-end document, and if safely visible without touching City equipment, the area around the meter. Do not open or manipulate the meter.
Odessa Homeowners, Sellers and Landlords: Move-Out Utility Checklist
Owners should coordinate the final utility date with closing, tenant turnover, or property-management transfer. Do not let the account stay active under the wrong person during vacancy, repairs, or listing.
If selling the property
Coordinate with your closing date. Ask Billing & Collection how to stop service, whether a final read is scheduled, and what the buyer must do to start service in their name.
If moving out but keeping the property
Ask whether you want service stopped, kept active for repairs, or transferred to a landlord/property-management account. Make sure trash, sewer, and water responsibility is clear.
If a tenant is moving in
Do not assume the tenant has started their own account. Confirm the transfer date and ask the tenant to complete the City’s Utility Service Agreement if required.
How to Pay the Final Odessa Water Bill After Move-Out
Odessa lists several payment options. The safest move-out approach is to confirm the exact final balance first, then pay through an official City payment route and save the receipt.
| Payment method | Best for | Official detail | Direct action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer portal | Account access, bill view, payment management. | City Billing page links to the Customer Portal. | Open customer portal |
| One-time payment | Quick final bill payment. | Odessa lists a one-time payment portal using bank account or card. | Make one-time payment |
| Pay by phone | Customers who want phone payment guidance. | Call 432-335-3204; phone service Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM. | Call to pay |
| City Hall kiosk | 24/7 physical payment option. | Kiosk on the south side of City Hall accepts cash, check, or card with account number. | Open map |
| In person | Move-out questions plus final bill payment. | Walk-up windows Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM; pay by cash, check, or card. | See office info |
| Payment plan question | Final balance you cannot pay immediately. | Odessa says to contact Billing & Collection if you need a payment plan. | Email payment plan request |
Common Odessa Move-Out Water Bill Mistakes
Most move-out utility problems happen because the account holder assumes someone else will handle the account. Use this section before you leave the property.
Mistake 1: Assuming sale or lease end cancels service
Closing paperwork or lease-end paperwork does not automatically guarantee the City stopped billing under your utility account. Confirm with Billing & Collection.
Mistake 2: Not giving a forwarding address
If the final bill goes to the old service address, you may miss the due date and create avoidable delinquent fees.
Mistake 3: Touching the meter
The City service agreement says meters may only be turned on or off by authorized City personnel except emergencies. Do not attempt a self-shutoff.
Mistake 4: Forgetting trash, sewer, and stormwater
The Odessa utility bill can include more than water. Confirm the final balance includes all services tied to the account.
Mistake 5: Leaving AutoPay active
After final payment and closure, confirm whether AutoPay or saved payment methods should be removed from the customer portal.
Mistake 6: Not keeping proof
Save email, call notes, payment confirmation, and final bill. This protects you if a later balance or property dispute appears.
Odessa Billing & Collection Contact, Office, Hours and Map
For stop-service, move-out, final billing, deposit questions, payment plans, delinquent fees, or account confirmation, contact Billing & Collection. For water leaks or sewer emergencies, use the emergency numbers listed by the City.
City of Odessa Billing & Collection
Phone: 432-335-3204
Email: bcemail@odessa-tx.gov
Office: 411 W. 8th Street, City Hall – 1st floor, Odessa, TX 79761
In-person: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Drive-thru: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:30 PM
Phone: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Kiosk: Open 24/7 on the south side of City Hall
Before you call or visit
Map: Odessa City Hall / Billing & Collection
Use the map for directions. If your move-out date is close, call first so you know whether stop-service can be handled without visiting.
Official Odessa Water Bill and Move-Out Resources
| Need | Official resource | Use it for | Direct action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop service / final bill question | Billing & Collection | Account, move-out, deposit, final bill, and billing questions. | Call 432-335-3204 |
| Pay final bill | Pay Your Utility/Water Bill | Online, phone, kiosk, AutoPay and in-person payment options. | View pay options |
| Customer portal | Odessa Customer Portal | Account access, bill payment and saved account tools. | Open portal |
| One-time payment | One-Time Payment Portal | Quick payment using bank account or credit/debit card. | Make payment |
| New tenant/buyer start service | Utility Service Agreement | Turning on city services including water, sewer and trash. | Open agreement |
| Water/sewer emergency | After-hours emergency: 432-335-3318 | After-hours sewer and water emergencies. | Call emergency number |
Odessa Water Bill Cancel / Stop Service FAQs
How do I cancel or stop a City of Odessa water bill when moving out?
Contact Odessa Billing & Collection at 432-335-3204 or bcemail@odessa-tx.gov. Give your account details, service address, move-out date, forwarding address, and ask for final bill and final meter-read instructions.
Is there an online stop-service form for Odessa water?
A separate public stop-service form was not visible during review. The safest step is to call or email Billing & Collection and ask for the exact stop-service process for your account.
What information should I provide to stop Odessa utility service?
Provide your customer name, account number or customer number if available, service address, move-out date, phone number, email address, and forwarding mailing address for the final bill.
Will Odessa take a final meter reading when I move out?
Ask Billing & Collection directly. The utility agreement says City personnel operate, maintain and read the meter, so a final read should be confirmed through the City rather than handled by the customer.
Can I turn off the Odessa water meter myself when I leave?
No. The City service agreement says meters are City property and may only be turned on or off by authorized City personnel except emergencies.
What happens to my Odessa utility deposit after move-out?
Ask Billing & Collection for your account-specific answer. The service agreement says deposits on the account will be applied to the final bill in certain discontinuation situations, so confirm whether you will owe a balance or have a credit.
How do I pay my final Odessa water bill?
You can use Odessa’s official customer portal, one-time payment portal, phone payment at 432-335-3204, City Hall kiosk, AutoPay, or in-person payment at City Hall.
What is the Odessa water bill late fee?
Odessa’s payment page says a 5% fee is added to accounts unpaid 25 days after the billing date.
Where is Odessa Billing & Collection located?
Billing & Collection is located at 411 W. 8th Street, City Hall 1st floor, Odessa, TX 79761.
What are Odessa Billing & Collection hours?
In-person hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Drive-thru hours are Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:30 PM. Phone service is Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. The kiosk is open 24/7.
Can I request a payment plan for a final Odessa water bill?
Odessa’s payment page says customers who need a payment plan should contact Billing & Collection at bcemail@odessa-tx.gov.
What should renters do before leaving an Odessa address?
Renters should contact Billing & Collection before lease end, request service stop or final billing, confirm the final bill address, save proof of closure, and coordinate the utility date with the landlord or property manager.
What should sellers do before closing on an Odessa property?
Sellers should coordinate utility stop date with closing, ask about final meter reading, provide forwarding address, and confirm whether the buyer must complete a new Utility Service Agreement.
Who do I call for Odessa water leaks or sewer emergencies?
For water leaks, Odessa lists 432-368-3561 or 432-335-3318 after hours. For sewer and water emergencies, the Utilities page lists 432-335-3318 after hours.