What to Do With Mail and Utilities When Selling an Ottawa Home

Selling a home involves more than preparing the property, accepting an offer, and signing the paperwork.

There are also a number of practical details to take care of before you leave the property, including your mail, electricity, water, internet, insurance, and other household services.

Taking care of these early can help prevent missed bills, unwanted mail, and service issues around your closing date.

Here's what Ottawa homeowners should consider when preparing to move.

Set Up Mail Forwarding

One of the easiest things to forget when moving is your mail.

Even if you've already changed your address with your bank, insurance company, employer, and other organizations, some mail may still arrive at your old home.

Canada Post offers Mail Forwarding for homeowners who are moving permanently. The service can redirect eligible mail from your old Canadian address to your new address. Canada Post recommends arranging it in advance, and the service does not forward parcels, so you should update your address directly with companies that send packages.

Consider updating your address with:

• Banks and credit cards
• Insurance companies
• Government agencies
• Employers
• Medical providers
• Subscription services
• Membership organizations
• Utilities
• Online retailers

Mail forwarding is useful as a safety net, but it should not replace updating your address with important organizations.

Don't Forget About Packages

Canada Post's Mail Forwarding service does not forward parcels.

If you have regular deliveries, update your shipping address directly with the companies you use.

This is particularly important if you're moving shortly before or after closing.

You don't want an expensive package arriving at a home you no longer own.

Arrange Your Hydro Ottawa Service

If your Ottawa property receives electricity from Hydro Ottawa, you'll need to arrange your move-out.

Hydro Ottawa recommends submitting its moving request at least 10 business days before your move-out date. You can provide the date you want service to stop at the old address and, if applicable, arrange service at your new address.

Hydro Ottawa says the final bill is generally issued about three weeks after the move-out date. You'll also need to provide a forwarding address so they can send the final bill or any applicable credit.

Don't assume that moving out automatically closes your utility account.

Make the request yourself and keep confirmation of the scheduled service change.

Contact the City of Ottawa About Water

If you're selling a property in Ottawa, don't forget about the municipal water account.

The City of Ottawa says homeowners moving out should notify Revenue Services of the change of ownership. The City obtains a final meter reading on the closing date through its automated meter infrastructure network.

You'll generally need information such as:

• Old service address
• New mailing address
• Closing date
• Contact information

It's important to provide your new mailing address because the City may need to send a final bill or refund after the final reading.

What About Internet and Cable?

Internet, cable, and other telecommunications services are usually handled separately from your municipal utilities.

Contact your provider before moving to determine whether you should:

• Cancel the service
• Transfer it to your new home
• Schedule a service appointment
• Return rented equipment
• Pay a final balance

If you're moving within the same provider's service area, transferring the service may be possible.

If you're moving outside the service area, you may need to cancel the account and open a new one.

Don't Cancel Everything Too Early

If your home is still being shown, inspected, or appraised, you generally want the property to remain functional and presentable.

Think carefully before disconnecting services such as:

• Electricity
• Water
• Heating
• Internet, if needed for security systems
• Other services required for the property

Your listing agent may need access to the home for showings, and buyers may need to complete inspections before closing.

If you're unsure when a particular service should be cancelled, coordinate the timing with your real estate agent and the relevant service provider.

Keep the Home Heated During Ottawa Winters

This is particularly important for Ottawa sellers during the colder months.

If the property is vacant before closing, don't simply shut everything off without considering the risks.

Cold weather can create serious problems for a vacant property, particularly if water lines or plumbing are exposed to freezing temperatures.

Make sure you understand your insurance requirements and the appropriate steps for maintaining the property while it is vacant.

Check Your Home Insurance

Moving out and closing the sale are not necessarily the same date.

If you move out before the property officially changes ownership, the home may remain your responsibility during that period.

Contact your insurance provider and tell them:

• When you're moving out
• Whether the property will be vacant
• When the sale is scheduled to close
• Whether anyone will remain in the home

Don't assume your insurance coverage automatically works the same way after the property becomes vacant.

Keep Important Accounts Open Until They're No Longer Needed

Some sellers are tempted to close accounts immediately after moving.

Before doing so, make sure you have received everything you need, including:

• Final bills
• Refunds
• Account statements
• Confirmation of cancellation
• Security deposits, if applicable
• Important correspondence

Keep copies of your final utility bills and confirmations for your records.

Make a List of Every Service

A simple checklist can help prevent something from being overlooked.

Before Moving

☐ Arrange Canada Post Mail Forwarding
☐ Update your address with important organizations
☐ Notify Hydro Ottawa
☐ Notify the City of Ottawa about the water account
☐ Contact your internet/cable provider
☐ Contact your home insurance provider
☐ Update recurring deliveries
☐ Arrange cancellation or transfer of other services

Before Closing

☐ Confirm utility arrangements
☐ Confirm your forwarding address
☐ Keep copies of final bills
☐ Remove personal belongings
☐ Check the property one final time
☐ Leave required keys, remotes, and access devices as agreed

Don't Forget the Closing Date

The closing date is an important reference point when organizing your utilities and move.

Your lawyer will handle the legal aspects of transferring ownership, while your service providers handle their individual accounts.

The City of Ottawa specifically uses the closing date when obtaining the final water meter reading for a change of ownership.

Your lawyer can also advise you if there are specific arrangements or documents required for your transaction.

Keep a Record of Everything

Moving involves a lot of small details.

Save:

• Utility cancellation confirmations
• Final bills
• Mail forwarding confirmation
• Insurance correspondence
• Internet cancellation or transfer details
• Emails with service providers
• Important closing documents

Keeping everything in one folder can make it much easier to resolve questions later.

A Little Planning Can Make Moving Much Easier

Selling your Ottawa home is a major process, and the small administrative details can easily get pushed aside while you're focused on the sale.

By arranging your mail forwarding, updating your address, coordinating utilities, and keeping your accounts organized, you can make the transition much smoother.

And remember: don't disconnect services simply because you've moved out. Consider the property's needs, your insurance requirements, showings, inspections, and the actual closing date.

Selling Your Ottawa Home?

At Murtaza Homes, we help sellers navigate the process from preparing the property to closing.

If you're planning to sell your Ottawa home and want help organizing your selling timeline, contact Murtaza Homes to discuss your next move.