Vacant Unit Tax - Request for Review

By submitting a Request for Review, you are requesting a review of your declaration and any details or evidence provided. The review is performed by an independent reviewer who is not involved in the original audit. You may be contacted by a staff member of the Vacant Unit Tax team seeking further information, clarification, or evidence. Staff have 90 days to decide. Once completed, the decision will be sent in writing. Decisions on Request for Review are final.  

To file your request, you will need:

• Property tax roll number and access code. Alternatively, you can log in through your MyServiceOttawa account.
• Full name and contact details (phone number and email) of the person filing the complaint
• Documentation and evidence to support the complaint.

Supporting Documentation

Additional information or documentation may be required. Failure to provide this information may result in the request not being considered. Once all required information is received and a determination is made, the City will send a response in writing by regular mail to the address on file. Examples of supporting documentation include but are not limited to:

• Ontario vehicle registration and vehicle insurance documentation of any occupant and owner.
• Government-issued personal identification, including driver’s license and Ontario Identity Card of any occupant and owner.
• Income tax returns and income tax notices of assessment of any occupant and owner.
• Lease agreements for the residential property.
• Wills, grants of probate, or grants of administration in respect of an owner or an owner’s estate.
• Employment contracts, pay statements, or records of employment of any occupant and owner.
• Insurance certificates for homeowners’ or tenant’s insurance.
• Court orders prohibiting occupancy of the vacant unit.
• Verification of residence in a hospital, long-term or supportive care facility.
• All requisite permits issued for repairs and renovations.

Deadline to submit a Request for Review

• 60 days from the date of determination of your Notice of Complaint

Online

File a Request for Review

My ServiceOttawa account

My ServiceOttawa account allows you to submit, view and edit declarations along with view and pay property taxes

MyServiceOttawa

Don’t have one? Create a My ServiceOttawa account

Phone

613-580-2444

TTY

Call 613-580-2401 and ask the operator to be connected with the City of Ottawa.

Canada Video Relay Service

Canada VRS is a service that allows Canadians who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired to make phone calls using internet and cellphone-based technologies. Callers using VRS are connected with a sign language interpreter who provides real time interpretation for telephone calls. This allows callers to express themselves in their first language, American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).

Tell your Canada VRS interpreter to call 613-580-2444.

In-person

Book an in-person appointment at Mary Pitt Center (100 Constellation Drive)

If your Request for Review is accepted (property is determined to be not subject to the Vacant Unit Tax): 

• The Vacant Unit Tax will be cancelled, along with any applicable late penalties 
• If the Vacant Unit Tax has already been paid, you can request a refund 

If you did not pay the balance of the Vacant Unit Tax prior to the due date and your Request for Review is not accepted, the Vacant Unit Tax will be due along with any applicable penalty applied.  

Note: Failure to pay the Vacant Unit Tax before the due date will result in penalty being applied to the tax roll. Request for Review requests may not be finalized by the due date.