Notice and timing
How delinquency is handled
Grace period after the due date
All bills are due when rendered, but Hialeah gives 30 days from the bill date to avoid the late penalty. A bill is delinquent after 30 days; if unpaid and no acceptable payment plan is reached, the City sends written notice and may discontinue service after an additional 30 days from that notice.
Late-fee calculation
A 10% late charge is added to the water and sewer bill when it is not paid within 30 days from the bill date. The code also permits the City to charge collection costs, attorney fees, legal interest, and an account-specific returned-payment fee. If a deposit is insufficient after nonpayment, the customer must pay an additional deposit sufficient to meet the current requirement plus outstanding balances and reconnection fees.
Disconnection timeline
The published sequence is: bill rendered; payment due at rendering; 30-day period to avoid the late charge; account becomes delinquent after day 30; written notice is sent; if payment or an acceptable plan is not received within an additional 30 days after that notice, the City may discontinue service, remove the meter, plug the service line, and charge the unpaid balance against the deposit. The current code does not publish a shorter universal field-order timeline than this notice-based progression.