Description of Service / Summary
Property owners must finalize their utility and property tax accounts when there is a change in ownership or residence. This process includes closing the existing account, updating payment details, and understanding applicable fees such as final read and ownership change charges. Certain programs and designations are automatically cancelled upon account finalization and may require reapplication if needed.
Setting up a Utility Account
- When purchasing a property, ensure your lawyer contacts the City in writing to update ownership information for property tax and utility accounts.
Change of Ownership and Payment Updates
- Update your electronic banking details for your new utility account
- Failure to update may result in:
- Payments applied to the wrong account
- Loss of early payment discount
- Late fees
- Contact 311 to close your utility account
Ownership Change Fee
Special/Final Read Fee
- The Final Utility Bill will include a Special/Final Read Fee .
- The administrative fee is applied to all utility accounts that are finalized in the City of Toronto.
Pre-Authorized Utility Bill Payment Program (PUP)
- Finalizing your utility account will automatically cancel your enrolment in the PUP Program.
- The Final Utility Bill must be paid through any of the other accepted payment methods .
Designate Mailer
- If you have a tenant/agent receives the utility bill, finalizing the utility account will automatically remove the designate on file.
- If the tenant/agent wishes to continue being a designate for the utility bill, a new Designate Mailing Request form will need to be completed, signed and returned.
Flat Rate Utility Accounts
- Final Utility Bills cannot be issued for flat rate accounts.
- Ownership changes are negotiated by the lawyers and details of the vendor's and purchaser's portions of the bill will be stated in the Statement of Adjustments.
- Keeping flat rate utility bill payments up-to-date will prevent overdue balances and Transfer-to-Tax fees.
