Frequently Asked Questions - Town of Middletown, Delaware

A - Property tax bills are sent out Aug. 1 of every year with the due date being Sept. 30.  A one and a half (1.5) percent penalty is assessed monthly after this time when no payment has been received.  Quarterly billing is done three (3) other times during the year when new or updated assessments are received from New Castle County.

A - The Town of Middletown sends all property tax bills directly to the homeowner. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to forward the bill to the mortgage company.

A - Yes, if you are 65 years of age or older, you may apply for the Senior Citizens Discount. Senior citizens (65 years and older) who reside in the Town of Middletown, and have for at least one year, are eligible for a Senior Citizen discount if they submit the proper form with appropriate ID. Please bring form and ID into Town Hall for identification purposes. The tax exemption form must be received prior to the beginning to the tax year June 30. You only need to apply once for this discount, there is no renewal necessary. However, if you change addresses within the Town of Middletown, you must reapply utilizing your new address. The discount is applied to the residence, not the individual.

If you have tax questions, click here to send an e-mail or call (302) 378-2711 ext. 241.

Click here to download/print the form: Property_Tax_Exemption_Form.pdf

A - The Town does allow for disability discounts. You must have something in writing from New Castle County in order to receive this discount.

A - No. Once you have applied and been approved there is no renewal necessary. However, if you move residences within the Town of Middletown, you must reapply using the address of your new residence.

A - The tax rate is $.30 per $100 of New Castle County assessed value. Example: assessed value 76,000 ÷ 100 = 760 X .30 = $228

A - Yes, as long as any of the base taxes remain unpaid after Sept. 30, they will accrue a 1.5 percent late fee monthly.

A - Make sure that the Town has a "passed" rental inspection for the property. You will need a $300 deposit and to fill out an application at the Town Office. Please bring in your signed lease and you must have a picture I.D. with you. Electric and trash are the only utilities to be put in the renter's name, water and sewer always stay under the owner's name.

A - You would need to fill out an application at the Town Office with appropriate I.D. and give a $150 deposit before the electric is turned on or switched into your name. Although a rental inspection is not necessary for mobile homes, taxes in the previous owner's name must be paid in full.

A - No. We work with the settlement lawyers in setting up the new accounts. The new owners should not have to do anything.

A - For renters, there is a $300 deposit for residential and a $400 deposit for commercial. If you own the property, no deposit is necessary.

A - Once your electric bill becomes seven (7) days past due, a $ 5 late charge will be assessed to your account and a turn-off notice will be sent out. Your late water/sewer bill (over $25) will be assessed a six (6) percent fee on your balance.

A - The Town now accepts online payments of your montly utility bill with your debit card! Click here to visit our online payment center.

You may also mail your payment in, drop it in the mailbox located on the median at the entrance of Town Hall, put it in the payment box inside the lobby or give it to the cashier for a receipt. We currently accept debit cards, cash, money orders, checks or cashier checks for payment.

Credit cards are not accepted at this time. We also offer a direct debit option for those who would like their utility payments debited directly from checking or savings accounts monthly. This option requires a preauthorized payment plan form to be filled out and dropped off or mailed to Town Hall. If you are putting your payment in a drop box or sending through the mail, please do not send cash. PLEASE NOTE: The town now deposits checks electronically with deposit-on-site software. Make sure funds are available in your account at the time you make your payment to the town.

A - No, we do not take payments over the phone at this time. However, customers may now pay utility bills online!

Click here to be redirected to our payment Website.

A - The window is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday

A - We read meters using a mobile van system and no longer have to walk house-to-house.

A - Yes, payment arrangements may be made in person only at the Town Offices. This cannot be done over the phone. Residents will have to pay one-third (1/3) of any past due amount at this time. You are allowed to make two (2) of these types of arrangements per calendar year.

A - This is a "purchase power adjustment cost." This is a fee the Town of Middletown collects for wholesale power cost fluctuations which are not covered in base rates. The fee changes each month based on consumption by the entire town. This also ensures the customer's continuous service during peak power usage, avoiding brownouts and blackouts.

A - This is what we charge the customer for meter reading and maintenance.

A - You may call the billing department at (302) 378-2711, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A - The Town contracts trash collection out to Waste Management. Trash is collected every Tuesday and Recycling is collected every Friday, except during certain holidays, where trash and recycling may be a day behind.  To make a trash complaint, call (302) 378-5720. Click here to view the Holiday Trash Collection Schedule.

A - Large bulk items may be placed out with the normal trash collection on Tuesday, this includes refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. Waste Management will not pick up batteries, chemicals, oxygen or propane tanks and paint cans with paint in them. Call (302) 378-5720 with questions. Bulk items will not be picked up on recycling Fridays.

A - No, these items are not to be put with the regular trash or in trash bags. The Town collects these items weekly (Click here for published schedule). During the holiday season, Christmas trees are picked up with the yard waste schedule, not the trash. Please leave grass cuttings on curb (not bagged), and tree limbs (cut into 4' lengths) on curb for pick-up. The schedule is also located on the "Public Notices" page. For more information about yard waste, call 378-5140 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 378-2211 after hours.

A - Elections are held the first Monday in March. The Mayor and three Council members are elected on odd numbered years, with the other three council seats up for election on even years.

A - No. You must be 18 years old and provide proof of residency in the Town of Middletown.

A - Council meetings are held the first Monday of the month, at 7:30 p.m., in Council chambers located in Town Hall. If the first Monday falls on a major holiday, the meeting will be held the following Monday.

A - Please call Public Works at (302) 378-2211.

A - If the pothole is located on Del. 299 (Main Street) or Del. 71 (Broad Street) it is the responsibility of DelDOT. Call (302) 659-2400 to report the problem. In any other area of town, please contact our Streets Foreman at (302) 378-5140.

A - You will need to contact Animal Control at 1-888-352-7722.