Texas Guide
Quick Answer
A switch hold is a block placed on your meter (ESI ID) by a previous provider when you owe a balance. It stops you from switching to any Texas provider—including prepaid—until you resolve it. To get power, pay the balance, set up a payment plan, file a New Occupant Statement, or dispute it with the PUCT.
- Pay the outstanding balance in full — hold removed in 1-3 business days
- Set up a payment arrangement — some providers lift the hold once a plan is in place
- File a New Occupant Statement with proof of residency if the debt is not yours
- Dispute the hold with the PUCT if it was placed in error
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Quick Summary
A switch hold is a block on your meter (ESI ID) placed by a previous provider when you owe them money. It prevents you from switching to ANY electricity provider—including prepaid—until the debt is resolved. Switch holds are registered with ERCOT and apply statewide.
Your options to resolve a switch hold:
- 1. Pay the balance — Hold removed in 1-3 business days
- 2. Payment arrangement — Some providers remove holds with payment plans
- 3. New Occupant Statement — If you're not the person who owes the debt
- 4. Dispute if incorrect — File a complaint with PUCT if the hold was placed in error
Note: Prepaid electricity cannot bypass switch holds. The hold is placed on the meter (ESI ID) itself and blocks all providers.
How to Check if You Have a Switch Hold
Not sure if you have a switch hold? Here's how to find out:
1. Call your previous provider
Ask about your account status and any outstanding balance. They can tell you if they placed a switch hold.
2. Contact ERCOT directly
Call ERCOT Customer Support at 1-888-782-8477 (available 24/7). They manage the Texas electric grid and can confirm switch hold status.
3. Try to sign up with a new provider
During enrollment, the provider will run a check and tell you if there's a switch hold on your account.
4. Review your final bill
Check for outstanding balance notices or "switch hold" language in your last statement from your previous provider.
5. Call the TDU that serves your area
Give them your service address or ESI ID. The TDU can confirm whether a hold exists and whether it came from them (meter tampering) or from a retail provider (unpaid balance). That answer determines who you work with to remove it.
| TDU | Service Area | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| CenterPoint | Houston area | 713-207-2222 |
| Oncor | Dallas-Fort Worth | 888-313-4747 |
| AEP Texas | South and West Texas | 877-373-4858 |
| TNMP | Various areas | 888-866-7456 |
Plans Available After Resolving Your Switch Hold
Once your hold is removed, compare these options
Moved Into an Address with a Switch Hold?
Good News
If you just moved in and the previous resident left a switch hold, you can get power. You'll need to submit a New Occupant Statement (NOS) proving you're not the person who owes the debt. This is a common situation—you shouldn't have to pay someone else's bill.
How to Submit a New Occupant Statement
- 1. Contact the electricity provider you want to sign up with. Tell them you're a new occupant at an address with an existing switch hold.
- 2. Download or request their New Occupant Statement (NOS) form. Most providers have this on their website or can email/fax it to you.
- 3. Complete and sign the NOS form. Include your ESI ID (meter number) if you have it.
- 4. Gather ONE of the following proof-of-occupancy documents:
- • Signed lease agreement — First and last pages with tenant and landlord signatures
- • Notarized Landlord Affidavit — Confirms you're not associated with the previous occupant
- • Utility bill — In your name, dated within 2 months, from a different address (not cell phone)
- • Closing documents — For home purchases, dated after the hold was placed
- • Certificate of Occupancy — Issued by your city/county after the hold was applied
- 5. Submit both documents via fax or email to the provider. They will forward to request the hold be removed.
- 6. Allow up to 2 business days for the switch hold status to be updated and your service activated.
Tip: If you're a renter without a signed lease yet, ask your landlord for a notarized Affidavit of Landlord. This document affirms you are the current tenant and are not associated with the previous occupant.
Can Prepaid Electricity Bypass a Switch Hold?
No
Prepaid electricity cannot bypass a switch hold. Despite marketing claims from some prepaid providers, switch holds are placed on your ESI ID (meter) in ERCOT's registration system and block ALL provider switches—including prepaid plans.
Why switch holds block everyone:
- • The hold is placed on the meter (ESI ID), not your personal account
- • ERCOT manages all provider switching in Texas
- • No provider—prepaid or traditional—can bypass ERCOT's system
- • The only exception is the New Occupant Statement process above
How Long Does a Switch Hold Last?
| Scenario | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Balance paid in full | 1-3 business days |
| Payment plan established | Varies by provider |
| Dispute filed with PUCT | 21-36 days (per PUCT §25.30) |
Note: Switch holds remain active until you resolve the underlying issue. Your previous provider could send the balance to collections or pursue legal action for the unpaid amount. Paying or disputing the debt is the only way to remove the hold.
How to Remove a Switch Hold
Option 1: Pay the Outstanding Balance
The fastest way to remove a switch hold is to pay what you owe.
- • Contact your previous provider for the exact amount
- • Pay by phone, online, or at an authorized payment location
- • Keep your confirmation number
- • Hold typically removed within 1-3 business days
Option 2: Set Up a Payment Arrangement
Some providers will remove the switch hold if you agree to a payment plan.
- • Call your previous provider's customer service
- • Ask about deferred payment plans
- • Get the agreement in writing
- • Confirm the hold will be removed once plan is set up
Option 3: Dispute the Hold (If Incorrect)
If you believe the switch hold was placed in error:
- • Request documentation of the debt from your previous provider
- • File a complaint with PUCT online at puc.texas.gov or by phone at 1-888-782-8477
- • Submit dispute in writing with supporting documents
- • Resolution takes 21-36 days per PUCT rules (§25.30)
Give the PUCT a complete file so investigators can act without chasing you for details:
- • Your service address and ESI ID
- • Copies of your New Occupant Statement and supporting documents
- • A timeline of every contact with the holding party, with dates
Switch Holds for Meter Tampering
Meter tampering holds work differently from unpaid-balance holds. The TDU places them, not a retail provider, and clearing one takes more proof. If you inherited a tampered meter from a previous resident, you must show you were not the one responsible.
What the TDU may require:
- • A New Occupant Statement
- • Proof your move-in date came after the tampering
- • A written statement that you did not tamper with the equipment
- • A police report, in some cases
If the TDU believes you are responsible, it can bill you for the estimated stolen electricity plus repair costs. You can dispute that finding with evidence, such as your lease and move-in records.
Warning
Meter tampering is a felony in Texas under Penal Code Section 28.03. The repair bills, back-billing, and criminal exposure far exceed any temporary savings.
Getting Power On Fast Once the Hold Clears
Clearing the hold is step one. Connection speed is step two. Here is what to expect once the hold is off your meter:
| Service Type | Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard connection | 1-3 business days | Free |
| Priority (expedited) connection | Same-day or next-day | $30-100 extra, varies by provider |
| Prepaid plan | Same-day possible | Varies; no credit check or deposit |
Important: Even a priority connection cannot jump a switch hold. Clear the hold first, then request expedited service if you need power the same day.
One more hurdle to plan for: the unpaid balance behind your hold may also trigger a deposit request when you re-enroll. Our sister site NoDepositLights compares light companies that turn service on without a deposit, so you're not paying hundreds upfront right after settling a balance.
How to Avoid Switch Hold Problems
Prevention beats paperwork. Before you sign a lease or close on a home:
1. Check the meter before you commit
Call the TDU that serves the address and ask whether the meter carries a hold. The call takes five minutes and can save you days without power at move-in.
2. Ask the landlord about utility issues
Ask directly about past disconnections or holds. You can also add a lease clause stating the property must be free of utility holds at move-in.
3. Get the previous tenant's move-out date in writing
Keep a lease that shows when the prior occupant's tenancy ended. That date is the backbone of a New Occupant Statement if a hold surfaces later.
4. Start service 1-2 weeks before moving day
Applying early surfaces any hold while you still have time to resolve it. By moving day, the power should already be on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a switch hold on my electricity account?
A switch hold is a block placed on your meter (ESI ID) by a previous Retail Electric Provider (REP) when you have an unpaid balance. It prevents you from switching to ANY electricity provider—including prepaid plans—until the debt is resolved. Switch holds are registered with ERCOT (the Texas grid operator) and apply statewide.
How do I check if I have a switch hold in Texas?
You can check for a switch hold in several ways: 1) Call your previous electricity provider and ask about your account status, 2) Contact ERCOT Customer Support at 1-888-782-8477 (available 24/7), 3) Try to sign up with a new provider—they will tell you if there is a hold during enrollment, or 4) Review your final bill from your previous provider for any outstanding balance notices.
Can I get prepaid electricity with a switch hold?
No. A switch hold is placed on your ESI ID (meter) in ERCOT's system and blocks ALL provider switches—including prepaid providers. Some prepaid companies claim they can bypass switch holds, but this is not accurate. The only exception is if you are a new occupant and can prove you are not the person who incurred the debt using a New Occupant Statement with supporting documentation.
How long does a switch hold last in Texas?
Switch holds in Texas remain active until you pay the outstanding balance in full or resolve the issue (such as meter tampering). There is no automatic expiration date set by PUCT rules. If you pay the balance, the hold is usually removed within 1-3 business days. If you establish a payment plan with your previous provider, the hold may be removed once the plan is set up, though this varies by company.
How do I get my electricity turned on with a switch hold?
Your options are: 1) Pay the outstanding balance in full and wait 1-3 business days for the hold to be removed, 2) Set up a payment arrangement with your previous provider—some will remove the hold once a plan is established, 3) If you are a NEW OCCUPANT at an address with a previous tenant's switch hold, submit a New Occupant Statement with proof of residency to get service, or 4) Dispute the hold if you believe it was placed in error. Prepaid plans cannot bypass switch holds.
I just moved in and there is a switch hold from the previous tenant. What do I do?
You can get power by submitting a New Occupant Statement (NOS) to the electricity provider you want to sign up with. You'll need to provide ONE proof-of-occupancy document: a signed lease agreement, a notarized Landlord Affidavit, a utility bill from a different address dated within 2 months, closing documents, or a Certificate of Occupancy. The provider will forward your request to have the hold removed. Allow up to 2 business days for processing.
Can I dispute a switch hold if I think it is wrong?
Yes. If you believe the switch hold was placed in error, you can: 1) Request documentation of the debt from your previous provider, 2) File a complaint with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) online at puc.texas.gov or call 1-888-782-8477, or 3) Dispute inaccurate charges in writing. Per PUCT rules, your provider must respond within 21 days, and the PUCT must resolve escalated complaints within 15 days (36 days total max).
Will a switch hold affect my credit score?
The switch hold itself does not directly affect your credit score—it is an internal ERCOT designation. However, the underlying unpaid balance may be sent to collections by your previous provider, which could impact your credit. Paying or settling the debt can help prevent collection actions.
What happens if I just wait for my switch hold to expire?
Switch holds do not automatically expire under PUCT rules—they remain until you pay the debt or resolve the issue. However, the debt may still exist and could be sent to collections. The provider could also sue for the balance. Resolving the debt is generally recommended over waiting.
Who do I call about a switch hold in Texas?
Start with the TDU that serves your area: CenterPoint (713-207-2222, Houston), Oncor (888-313-4747, Dallas-Fort Worth), AEP Texas (877-373-4858, South and West Texas), or TNMP (888-866-7456). Give them your service address or ESI ID and they will tell you who placed the hold. If a retail provider placed it, contact that provider directly. You can also call ERCOT at 1-888-782-8477.
Do I have to pay the previous tenant's electric bill?
No. If you can prove you are a new occupant with a New Occupant Statement and one supporting document (such as a signed lease dated after they left), you are not responsible for the previous tenant's debt. The hold is removed once your new occupancy is verified.
What if my landlord won't help with the switch hold?
You do not need your landlord's cooperation to file a New Occupant Statement. You do need a signed lease showing when your tenancy started. If your landlord is unresponsive, document your attempts to reach them and file a PUCT complaint if the hold still will not clear.
After resolving your switch hold
Compare Texas Electricity Rates
Once your switch hold is resolved, compare all available electricity plans in your area—fixed rates, variable rates, and prepaid options.