Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Texas
Texas - late fees on bills
Is it legal in Texas for a incorporated city to add a surcharge (i.e. late fee) to a water bill several days before the bill's due date? It's not deceptive, but the amount marked on the ''due date'' is derived from metered consumption with no wording about early payment discounts or payment grace periods. If you paid three days before the ''due date'' you would have the surcharge added to your account. Seems deceptive.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Texas - late fees on bills
The surcharge has to be properly authorized by the governing body of the city. There are a bunch of technical questions to be addressed here and your inquiry doesn't state sufficient information.
Re: Texas - late fees on bills
It's probably legal. Remember, the due date is the date they receive the payment. Not the date you mailed it. There are no grace periods.
I've never heard of a governmental entity giving an early payment discount.