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BVIEC enforcing Security Deposit Policy after 'increase in delinquent accounts'

- enforcement begins Monday, March 9, 2026
The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has informed its customers that beginning Monday, March 9, 2026, the Corporation will be reinforcing its long-established Security Deposit Policy. Photo: VINO/File
The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) said there has been a rise in delinquent accounts. Photo: VINO/File
The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) said there has been a rise in delinquent accounts. Photo: VINO/File
Corporate Services Manager of BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Mrs Tamara George-Barry, explained that the initiative is necessary to ensure fairness and financial responsibility across all customer accounts. Photo: BVIEC/File
Corporate Services Manager of BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC), Mrs Tamara George-Barry, explained that the initiative is necessary to ensure fairness and financial responsibility across all customer accounts. Photo: BVIEC/File
LONG BUSH, Tortola, VI— The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has informed its customers that beginning Monday, March 9, 2026, the Corporation will be reinforcing its long-established Security Deposit Policy.

A security deposit is a refundable payment required from customers renting properties in their name. The amount is equal to twice the estimated monthly electricity bill. According to BVIEC, it is not a fee and does not represent an additional charge.

The deposit simply acts as a safeguard on the account and is refunded in full once any outstanding bills are finalised or paid in full, BVIEC stated in a press release on February 9, 2026.

Increase in delinquent accounts

This action, according to BVIEC, does not introduce new fees nor does it represent an increase, but rather the continued enforcement of an existing policy in accordance with BVIEC’s Financial Policy, following an increase in delinquent accounts.

Speaking on the matter, Corporate Services Manager, Mrs Tamara George-Barry, explained that the initiative is necessary to ensure fairness and financial responsibility across all customer accounts.

“The security deposit policy has long been part of BVIEC’s operating framework. With the rise in delinquent accounts, it is important that we apply this policy consistently to protect the Corporation’s ability to continue delivering reliable service to all customers,” Mrs George-Barry stated.

Security Deposit

New customers renting properties are required to lodge a minimum security deposit of $200 when opening an account. After six months, the account is reviewed, and the actual security deposit is recalculated as twice the estimated monthly electricity bill. Any difference will be billed or adjusted accordingly.

If the current deposit is less than the recalculated amount, customers will only be required to pay the difference. For example, if the original deposit was $200 and the new calculated amount is $250, only the additional $50 will be billed.

BVIEC said updated deposits will be reflected in bills generated from March 9, 2026, onward. Deposit increase payments will be made in monthly instalments, in addition to the current bill, over a period of four months.

Why enforcement now?

BVIEC said it routinely reviews customer accounts as part of its Financial Policy, and that all accounts are examined every six months, with delinquent accounts reviewed weekly. The last mass review of security deposits, it said, occurred approximately five years ago, "making this enforcement both timely and necessary".

According to Public Relations and Marketing Media Manager, Kamal Haynes, the Corporation is committed to transparency and customer understanding throughout the process.

“We want to be very clear that this is not a new charge. It is the enforcement of a longstanding policy that helps ensure fairness across all accounts. Our goal is to communicate openly with customers and work with them, including offering payment plans where needed,” Haynes said.

13 Responses to “BVIEC enforcing Security Deposit Policy after 'increase in delinquent accounts'”

  • TruDat! (10/02/2026, 14:22) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The last mass review of security deposits, it said, occurred approximately five years ago, "making this enforcement both timely and necessary". Well, perhaps it's necessary, but after five years it's sure not timely. Surely we can just do things routinely and avoid all of these sudden changes, large fee hikes, and other financial surprises.
  • NONESENSE (10/02/2026, 15:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    But this aint nothing new
  • resident (10/02/2026, 15:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    bvi love
  • Son ah deh soil (10/02/2026, 15:59) Like (5) Dislike (14) Reply
    These island people want to come here and practically live bill-free
    • Worthless People (11/02/2026, 07:55) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      I agree with u 100%. Landlords catch hell to get their rent from a number of them.
      They bring in other family members and friends to live and they’re all working and don’t pay their rent but every Friday/Saturday they’re in Western Union and Money Gram sending out money.


  • jokes (10/02/2026, 16:19) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    I still get a monthly bill by email with new usage, and I left the BVI after Irma!!!!!
  • when (10/02/2026, 17:31) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Alot of these deposit accounts are geared at people who own aprtments where after the 2017 hurricanes. The owners were forced to pay for tenants who owed for the month of september even though the Bills were in the teneants names. Those who stood for the truth were allegedly forced out of the department.

    But God dont sleep. That place needs a forensic audit that needs to go back some years for it is a mystery how the corporation got broke.The corporation is in a mess and its not the consumers who got it so.

    Why dont they make public how much Government Departments , Statuary Boards and some of these big buisnesses owe them. But no the poor small man they want to kill mercilessly.
  • Cindy (10/02/2026, 18:40) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    poor people getting to much licks
  • This is News to me.. (11/02/2026, 06:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Didn't know people were getting electricity without deposit...You all are so dishonest...Conning..People are moving on from the BVI. Hence their bills left unpaid..If you are living in the BVI 2 months without paying you are cut, then you have to pay in full plus a reconnection fee...People cannot live without electricity...
  • Fire Hazard (11/02/2026, 06:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    When are they going to fix the poles that are falling over in Tower’s Estates west end ?
  • Government departments (11/02/2026, 07:44) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Owe the most .
  • Informed (11/02/2026, 09:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Didn't the government write off a 20M bill for electricity. Are you asking the Government for 20M security Deposit ? This is 20M in investment in putting the electricity cables underground and securing the future of businesses and Homes in the VI in a hurricane area.
    If you can write off 20M then the rest of us are being overcharged for electricity.

  • LOL (11/02/2026, 10:25) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply

    This is the problem with the BVI. Everyone want something but nobody wants to pay. We want constant power, street lights, well paid workers but nobody wants to pay their !@#$%^g bill!



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