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ZEIDMAN LAW OFFICES
200-215 Jardin Drive
Concord, ON L4K 1X5
Tel: (905) 669-7577
Fax: (905) 669-5525
e-mail: office@homeslawyer.com
Buyers' Legal Basics
Utilities and Property Taxes
Utilities and Meter Readings
If utilities on the property you are buying have separate meters, our office will search the appropriate department’s records to determine whether there are any overdue amounts on the utility accounts for your property. We also will request that the utility department arrange for a final meter reading on the day of closing in order to avoid a service interruption and help ensure you are not charged for utilities that you did not use. Buyers are responsible for utilities used on the property on and after the closing date, and sellers are responsible for costs of utilities used prior to closing. To avoid departmental errors and to ensure that the utilities have all the information they need, you should contact them directly before closing as well.
Property Taxes
Our office also will conduct the appropriate search of the municipality’s property tax records to determine whether there are any arrears of property taxes on the home you are purchasing. Such arrears could form a lien on your property and become your responsibility if they are not paid prior to the closing date. Our office will arrange for the seller’s lawyer to have these arrears paid for on or before the closing date. After closing, our office will again contact the municipal property tax department to inform them that the deal closed, that you are the new owner of the property, and to request that they send you updated property tax information directly. However, to avoid bottlenecks, consider contacting the property tax department directly as well to request this information. We will give you the number.
Utilities’ and Cities’ Phone Numbers
Here are the telephone numbers for utilities and property tax departments in the Toronto and surrounding areas.
|
Municipality |
Hydro |
Water |
Taxes |
Gas |
|
Aurora |
(905) 727-4612 |
(905) 727-1375 |
(905) 727-1375 |
(416) 492-5100 |
|
Brampton |
(905) 840-6300 |
(905) 791-9400 |
(905) 874-2000 |
(416) 492-5100 |
|
Markham |
(905) 477-3810 |
(905) 477-3810 |
(905) 477-7000 |
(416) 492-5100 |
|
Mississauga |
(905) 566-2727 |
(905) 791-9400 |
(905) 896-5575 |
(416) 492-5100 |
|
Newmarket |
(905) 895-2309 |
(905) 953-2309 |
(905) 895-5193 |
(416) 492-5100 |
|
Richmond Hill |
(905) 884-4466 |
(905) 771-8800 |
(905) 771-8800 |
(416) 492-5100 |
|
Toronto |
(416) 542-8000 |
(416) 338-4829 |
(416) 338-4829 |
(416) 492-5100 |
|
Vaughan |
(905) 832-8371 |
(905) 832-8371 |
(905) 832-2281 |
(416) 492-5100 |
|
Whitby |
(905) 668-5878 |
(905) 571-6611 |
(905) 430-4304 |
(416) 492-5100 |