Timing matters more than you think

The most common electricity mistake renters make when moving out is canceling too early. If you cut your service before your move-out date, you lose power during the final days of packing, cleaning, and the landlord's walkthrough. That can hold up your deposit return.

The right approach: set your cancellation date for the day after your lease ends, or the day you hand back your keys — whichever comes first. Most Texas retail electric providers (REPs) let you schedule a future disconnection date online or by phone. Give yourself the full time you are entitled to.

If you are on a fixed-rate plan, check for an early termination fee

Fixed-rate electricity contracts in Texas lock in your rate for a set period — typically 6, 12, or 24 months. If you move out before that period ends, most providers will charge an early termination fee (ETF) to close your account.

ETFs in Texas typically run from $100 to $300, depending on the provider and how much time is left on your contract. Some providers charge a flat fee; others charge a per-month-remaining fee. Your Electricity Facts Label (EFL) will tell you which applies to your account.

Worth checking now: If you signed a 12-month electricity contract when you moved in but your lease is only 6 months, you may be locked into an electricity term that outlasts your apartment. This is one of the most overlooked move-out costs for Texas renters.

To check your ETF, log into your provider's account portal or call their customer service line and ask for your contract end date and termination fee. You can also find this on your EFL, which you received when you enrolled.

If you are on a month-to-month plan

Month-to-month electricity plans have no fixed term and no early termination fee. You can cancel with a few days' notice and owe nothing beyond your final bill. The trade-off is that rates on month-to-month plans tend to run higher than fixed-rate plans — but at move-out, the flexibility works in your favor.

Call your provider or cancel online, set a disconnection date, and you are done. Your final bill will cover usage through that date.

What to do about your electricity deposit

If you paid a security deposit when you signed up for electricity — common when you enrolled without a strong credit history — your provider is required to return it after your account closes. Under Texas law, the provider has 30 days to issue the refund after your final bill is settled.

The refund typically comes as a check mailed to your address on file. Make sure your provider has your forwarding address before you move. If you do not update it, the check goes to your old apartment — where you no longer live.

Avoid getting billed for service you did not use

If you move out but do not cancel your electricity account, you keep getting billed. The meter does not know you left. Providers will continue charging you for the basic monthly fee and any usage by whoever occupies the unit after you — until you close the account. Some renters have been billed for months of service at an address they vacated because they assumed the landlord or new tenant would handle it. That is not how it works. You enrolled, so cancellation is your responsibility.

If your property enrolled you through a lease-synchronized program

Some Texas apartment properties handle electricity enrollment on behalf of residents, matching the electricity term to the lease dates. If your property uses a lease-synchronized enrollment model, your service is already tied to your move-out date. When your lease ends, your electricity account closes automatically.

You do not need to call anyone, submit a cancellation, or worry about an early termination fee. The contract was structured around your lease from the beginning, so the dates already line up.

If you are not sure whether your enrollment was lease-synchronized, ask your property manager. They can confirm how your account was set up and whether any action is needed on your end at move-out.

Move-out electricity checklist

  • Find out your electricity contract end date and whether an ETF applies
  • Schedule your disconnection for the day after your lease ends or key return date
  • Update your mailing address with your provider so any deposit refund reaches you
  • Take a photo of your final meter reading the day you move out
  • Save your final bill as proof of closure in case of any future disputes
  • If your enrollment was lease-synchronized, confirm with your property manager that no cancellation is needed

What about your new place?

If you are moving to another Texas apartment in a deregulated area, you will need to set up a new electricity account — unless your new property handles enrollment for residents. You can compare plans at powertochoose.org, which is the state's official retail electricity comparison tool. Look at the rate per kilowatt-hour at 1,000 kWh, the contract length, and whether an ETF applies before you sign anything.

If your new apartment uses a lease-synchronized electricity program, enrollment is handled through the property and your rate and contract will match your lease term. You typically get notified of this during the move-in process.

About PowerCord Energy PowerCord Energy is a Texas-based electricity platform built for multifamily properties. Our lease-synchronized enrollment model matches electricity contracts to lease terms, so residents never face an ETF mismatch at move-out and properties always have coverage between tenants. Resident guides like this one are part of our commitment to making Texas apartment electricity simpler for everyone.