The Realtor Form is designed to help realtors and/or closing companies identify delinquent, outstanding bills on a property prior to the sale of the property. Many closing companies choose to take any delinquent amounts owed by a previous owner out of closing proceeds.
To use the Realtor Form, complete the following information at leat 5 business days prior to closing:
- The realtor (or requestor) name
- The realtor (or requestor) email
- Expected closing date
- Property address
- Current owner's name
- New owner's name
Note: Requests for multiple properties can be entered on the same form.
Des Moines Water Works will respond within 3 business days, indicating any amounts owed at that property. Des Moines Water Works will also note if there are any known unusual conditions that may exist at a property, such as an inoperable stopbox, etc.
To access the Realtor Form, click Realtor Form.
Have the seller and buyer coordinate the start/stop service date.
If the buyer calls in to give their start date, DMWW will automatically final the seller's account on that same date and will not operate the stopbox.
Use the Realtor Form to identify any delinquent, outstanding bills at the property. Many closing companies choose to take these delinquent amounts out of closing proceeds.
Ask DMWW if a Condition of Service exists on the stopbox. This can be communicated via the Realtor Form.
The property owner is responsible for the connection to the water main (tap) and the piping (service line) that carries the water from the main to the meter. This includes the stopbox (sometimes called curb valve and located in the public right-of-way), which is owned by the property owner. Owners are responsible for any inoperable stopboxes.
Stopboxes must be repaired when:
- The box is too high or low. The stopbox cap should be level with the ground.
- The box is located under concrete or asphalt and is not accessible.
- When the housing becomes bent and the key cannot be lowered onto the valve.
- When the rod is loose and does not connect to the valve.
- When the valve does not operate.
For change of accounts, DMWW does not charge to turn water off/on.
For new construction, DMWW does not have a separate meter charge, nor a charge to set a meter. DMWW owns the meter and meter reading equipment and is responsible for replacing this equipment.
The City of Des Moines bills monthly non-metered charges, such as sewer availability, stormwater, and solid waste, even when a property is vacant (approximately $23/month). Des Moines Water Works bills water availability ($3/month for a 5/8" meter). If DMWW has no active customer, an account is created in the property owner's name for these charges.