I am moving. What do I do?
- If you are moving into or out of a property, it is important for you to notify Revenue Services. This notice is required in order to ensure that your property and contact information is up-to-date with us. If you move without notifying Revenue Services, you will be liable for the account until notice of your move is received.
- Revenue Services will obtain a final meter reading on your closing date using our Automated Meter Infrastructure network.
- There is a charge for setting up a new water utility account, please refer to Fees for more details.
- Notify us of your move details through your My ServiceOttawa account or call us at 613-580-2444.
- Please call us with the following information:
- Service address for old and new account
- New owner/tenants name
- Date of closing
- Phone numbers for cell, home and work
- Your new mailing address (necessary for any refunds due to the final reading)
Water utility billing options for landlords and tenants
The City of Ottawa provides 2 options to landlords to have tenants responsible for water and sewer costs:
- Bills remain in the landlord’s name. Bills are sent to the landlord either at the rental property or his/her mailing address, in his/her name. The landlord makes arrangements with the tenant for payment of the account and the landlord remains solely responsible for any unpaid amounts.
- Landlords can make arrangements with the City to have the tenant billed directly by submitting an Authorization Agreement to Bill Tenant form. Note: this form must be signed by the owner/owner’s or authorized agent and the tenant. Under the terms of this agreement, if the tenant fails to pay, the landlord remains responsible for any unpaid amounts.
Either the landlord or the tenant can arrange to have the tenant billed directly by providing the completed Authorization Agreement to Bill Tenant Form. Providing all data required on the form will facilitate prompt updating of our records thereby reducing unnecessary costs to landlords and/or tenants.
Incomplete Authorization Agreement to Bill Tenant forms will be returned for completion. The tenant account will not be established until the form is properly completed.
NEW!! If there has been no vacancy period between tenancies, your account as registered owner MAY avoid the above noted fee if you have submitted your Authorization Agreement to Bill Tenant form for the new tenant before the change of occupancy date as stated above.
Water billing options for condo developers
Notice to Home Builder’s Community
Interim Ownerships Water and Sewer Accounts: Revenue Services is responsible for the maintenance of client water utility accounts for the City of Ottawa. To accommodate the water utility billing for purchasers who have taken possession of a condominium unit during the “Interim Occupancy Period”, the City will update the water utility account to the purchaser’s name(s) and will bill accordingly.
Since the transfer of title will not occur until the Condominium Corporation is registered, the developer may become liable for any outstanding water utility charges if the interim owner defaults on payment. To collect outstanding balances, the City of Ottawa would transfer defaulted water utility balances to the tax roll (developer) and collect in the same manner as property taxes.
Once added to taxes, additional fees will apply and the account is subject to a penalty charge of 1.25 per cent per month. Penalty is added after the due date and every month thereafter until the account is paid.
Request a water, wastewater and stormwater certificate
Homeowners or lawyers wishing to obtain a Water Utility Certificate to determine if there are any charges remaining at the time of closing a real estate transaction must complete and submit the Water Utility Certificate Request Form.
Law firms can securely submit and pay for certificates online through My ServiceOttawa.
Alternatively, manual requests can be submitted by completing the fillable on-screen and printing. There is currently a fee of $72.50 for each request. The City will obtain a final reading on the closing date. A final bill is then sent to the property owner at the service address unless the request is that the final bill be sent elsewhere.
Mail your completed form to:
City of Ottawa, Revenue Services
100 Constellation Drive, 4th Floor East
Ottawa, Ontario
K2G 6J8
Please include a cheque or money order payable to the “City of Ottawa”. We will make every attempt to provide current status certificates within 3 business days of the receipt of the request. Certificates will only be issued if the request form is filled out correctly and completely, and sufficient payment is provided. Certificates requested to include a final reading will only be provided after the final reading has been taken.