Terms and Conditions Utility Start Form

Section I: Utility Service Terms & Conditions

By initiating utility services with the City of South Bend, you (the “Occupant”) agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. Service Initiation

• Service for activation will be initiated once the application is submitted, identity and residency are verified, and all required deposits, fees, and past-due balances are paid.
• Customers must provide accurate and complete information. Providing false or misleading information may result in a delay in activation, denial or termination of service.

2. Billing and Payment

• Billing Rates and Charges are subject to change.
• Bills are issued monthly and are due on the date indicated.
• Late payments may result in penalties, additional fees, or service disconnection. Delinquent accounts are subject to the imposition of a lien on the property as authorized by State law.
• Customers are responsible for all charges incurred at their service address, including water, sewer, sprinkler, and trash (if applicable).

3. Deposits

• A deposit may be required based on credit history, past account standing, or City policy.
• Deposits are refundable to the active utility account per the City’s utility deposit guidelines. After 12 months of on-time payment history residents may request to have the deposit amount credited to their account.

4. Service Access

• Customers agree to grant City personnel safe and reasonable access to meters and infrastructure for maintenance and service changes.

5. Service Disconnection

• Services may be disconnected for non-payment, meter tampering, unauthorized usage, or violation of these terms.
• Customers will be notified in accordance with applicable city ordinances before disconnection occurs.

6. Termination of Service

• Customers must submit a formal termination request when vacating a property. Charges will continue to accrue until service is officially terminated.
• Failure to notify SBMU of move-out may result in continued billing.

7. Dispute Resolution

• Customers may dispute charges in writing by emailing your concern to the Utility Dispute Team sbmudisputes@southbendin.gov or forwarding via US mail to 125 W Colfax Avenue, South Bend, Indiana 46601
• Disputes may take up to 90 days to resolve and will be responded to in writing
• Disputes do not relieve customers from the responsibility to pay undisputed charges by the due date. The entire disputed balance should be paid by the due date. If the dispute resolution results in a credit/refund, the amount can be credited to an upcoming bill or returned in the form of a check.

8. Refuse Service and Billing

• This is our service provided by the city of South Bend solid waste department. All active residential water utility account holders are billed and serviced for Solid Waste refuse pick up.
• Residents have a choice between a 48- or 96-gallon trash bin as well as a seasonal yard waste container for an additional monthly fee.
• Totes are collected on a specified day of the week and will be picked between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM on the regular scheduled day.
• Totes should be placed at the curb with the opening of the lid facing the street and 3 to 4 feet away from any other totes, vehicles, trees, fences or poles.
• Solid waste reserves the right to refuse pickup if the tote is outside of guidelines or contains hazardous materials.
• Residents may be billed contamination fees for dumping any items that might contaminate the waste cycle.
• Residents may request a return trip prior to the next trash day, but a $10 fee will be added to the next utility bill.
• Private solid waste vendors are prohibited from picking residential trash within the corporate city limits of South Bend.
• Residents may request additional trash or yard waste totes for additional monthly fees.

9. Sprinkler Service Billing and Insurance

• A separate charge for a sprinkler service line shall be billed each month between June 1 and November 30, or as set forth in the City ordinance, as amended.
• Separate deposits and fees, from such water or sewer utility fees, are charged based on the sprinkler meter size.
• Sprinkler insurance Water sprinkler service shall be insured under this article; however, sprinkler coverage hereunder shall only extend from the water main to the property line. If the domestic service line is less than two (2) inches and has a lawn-sprinkler connection tee in it, said domestic service line and the tee will be insured, but not beyond the tee nor any costs of repair to the lawn-sprinkler system proper.

10. Changes to Terms

• The City reserves the right to amend these terms with upon notice to customers.

11. Compliance

• Customers must comply with all City ordinances, utility policies, and relevant state and federal laws regarding utility usage.

Section II: Property Occupant Acknowledgment

By signing this form, I, the property occupant, acknowledge and agree to the following:

• I affirm that service will begin only after the application is submitted, my identity and relationship to the property is verified, and all required fees or past-due balances are paid.
• I understand I must notify South Bend Municipal Utilities of my termination date upon vacating the property and must keep my contact information current.
• I am responsible for any applicable service and miscellaneous charges while residing at or owning the property.
• I acknowledge the risk of damages from open faucets, toilets, or leaking water lines if service is restored unexpectedly, and I am encouraged to have someone over 18 present during reconnection.
• If the utility account is placed in my name:
  • I understand it is my responsibility to request activation or disconnection of services.
  • I remain responsible for all charges including Water, Sprinkler, Refuse, Sewer and Miscellaneous Fees.
  • The City may file a lien against my property for unpaid Sewer and Stormwater charges per Indiana Code §§ 36-9-23-32, 8-1.5-5-29, and 8-1.5-5-30.
• Per South Bend Municipal Utility Rules and Regulations Landlord accounts:
  • If a tenant terminates services, the account may revert to my name. The reversion account is a placeholder (Landlord) account and will only be billed for Water Insurance, Sewer Insurance, Sprinkler Insurance and Clean Air. This account should not have water usage and refuse containers will not be emptied. Full service will require a new application and deposit (if applicable).
• Insurances and Fees
  • Water and Sewer Insurance coverage will be discontinued if unpaid for four consecutive months and will not cover future damages.
  • Unauthorized Usage Fees may be assessed if a tenant’s application or authorization form is not submitted and usage occurs.
  • Fees for Miscellaneous Refuse services including regular monthly fees, monthly yard waste tote fees, return trip, contamination and extra pick up fees, for beyond one free item each month will appear on your utility billing statement.
• I swear and affirm under penalties of perjury that:
  • I am the lawful occupant of the property listed on this form.
  • All information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
  • I understand that submitting false information may constitute the crime of perjury.

IURC: Water and Wastewater Division