Should I change my address before or after closing?
Should I change my address before or after closing? — Don’t move blind. Here’s the fast truth sellers in Milton need.
Quick Answer
Change most accounts before you move. Leave legal and title-related mailing addresses with your closing lawyer until the deal is done. Set up Canada Post forwarding the week of closing. Give your lawyer a forwarding address for closing funds and tax documents. Follow the checklist below and you’ll avoid lost mail, delayed funds, and a stressed closing day.
Why this matters for sellers in Milton, Ontario
You’re selling a property in Milton. Market moves fast here. Buyers are ready. Closing dates are tight. One missed address update can cost time, money, and peace of mind. Milton is in Halton Region — municipal billing, property tax adjustments, and school records are specific. Get the timing right and the move is smooth. Get it wrong and you get phone calls, missed refunds, and expensive follow-ups.
The simple rule that fixes 90% of problems
- Change operational accounts (banks, utilities, insurance, Canada Post forwarding) before you vacate. That keeps monthly bills and critical notices flowing.
- Keep legal/title contacts unchanged until closing completes. Your lawyer must have a reliable address for the legal statement of adjustments, tax forms, and any residual funds.
Do that and you’ll skip almost every common moving headache.
Step-by-step timeline for Milton home sellers
Use this as your playbook. Follow it and closing day is a closing day — not a crisis day.
1) 30–45 days before closing
- Confirm closing date with your lawyer and buyer’s representation.
- Book Canada Post forwarding to start on your move-out date or closing week. Forwarding is cheap insurance.
- Notify mortgage lender you’re selling. Ask about payout instructions. Don’t change the address they have for you until lender paperwork is done.
- Call your home insurance. You’ll need coverage until possession. Decide whether you’ll transfer or cancel.
2) 14–7 days before closing
- Contact utility providers (hydro, gas, water, internet) to schedule final meter reads and disconnection/transfer dates. Milton often uses local providers or contracted utilities — confirm local timelines.
- Update bank and credit card addresses so statements and new cards go to your new address.
- If selling a condo, notify the condo board/management of the closing date and your forwarding address for documents.
3) 7–1 day before closing
- Provide your lawyer with a forwarding address and confirm how they will send the final statement of adjustments and remaining funds. Lawyers in Ontario often e-transfer or issue a bank draft — confirm method and timing.
- Arrange a final walk-through with buyers if required.
- Confirm Canada Post forwarding is active the day you move.
4) On closing day
- Leave keys as instructed. Confirm with your agent who will deliver keys if needed.
- Verify utilities are cut or transferred as agreed. Take final metering photos.
- Confirm with lawyer that the transaction recorded and funds disbursed.
5) After closing (0–14 days)
- Update your driver’s licence and vehicle registration at ServiceOntario. Ontario requires you update your address in a timely manner.
- Notify CRA (Canada Revenue Agency), banks, pension providers, and investment accounts.
- Keep an eye on the mail forwarding. If something goes to the old address after 7–14 days, contact Canada Post.
What to (and not to) change before closing
Change before closing:
- Canada Post forwarding (set for move day)
- Banks and credit cards
- Utilities for your new residence
- Home and auto insurance for your new address
- Subscriptions and serviced accounts (internet, streaming)
- Employers, schools, and physicians
Don’t change before closing:
- The address on legal closing documents (leave to lawyer)
- The address on property tax records until lawyer confirms final adjustments (municipal billing will change at registration)
Common complications and how to fix them
- Lost closing funds: If your lawyer has your wrong mailing address, a cheque or document can be delayed. Fix: give your lawyer a verified forwarding address and ask for e-transfer or direct deposit for faster delivery.
- Missed tax rebate or bill: Municipal bills switch after registration. Confirm your final property tax adjustments with your lawyer. Keep copies of last tax bill and payment receipts.
- Utility bills still arrive: Confirm meter reads and final billing with the utility companies. Keep photos of final meter readings and dates.
- Mail sent to the old address after sale: Keep Canada Post forwarding for 6–12 months. Notify key contacts directly (banks, CRA, pension, insurance).
Local tips specifically for Milton sellers
- Municipal taxes in Milton and Halton Region: Closing lawyers handle the final adjustments, but you should ask for the detailed breakdown. Milton’s tax cycle can mean interim bills — get the exact dates.
- Utilities: Milton residents often have hydro accounts with local providers or rely on provincial distributors. Confirm exact transfer steps. Some providers need a minimum lead time.
- New build or estate homes: If you’re selling in a new Milton subdivision, confirm when the developer hands over utility accounts and ensure Canada Post recognizes the address.
- Schools and daycare: If you’ve moved before closing, enrollments and records need prompt updates. Bring proof of new address for transitions.
The one-line script to tell your lawyer and agent
“Use my current address for closing paperwork and send final disbursement to [forwarding address]. Set Canada Post forwarding to start on move day. Confirm method of final payment (e-transfer/bank draft).”
Use that and you remove ambiguity. Done.
Why sellers who plan right sleep better (and sell faster)
Buyers hate drama. Sellers who manage logistics signal competence. A clean closing with no mail headaches and confirmed transfers reduces the chance of last-minute renegotiations. Agents notice. Lawyers appreciate it. Buyers relax. That means fewer delays and fewer post-closing disputes.
Real examples (true, short, Milton-specific)
- A seller moved out one week before closing and didn’t forward mail. The lawyer had to re-issue a closing statement that was mailed to the old address — two-week delay waiting on a bank draft. Solution: e-transfer and forwarding would have avoided it.
- A condo seller in central Milton didn’t tell the condo board the new owner’s info. The condo fines and fee reconciliation got messy. Solution: notify management 2 weeks before closing.
Final checklist — 10 actions you must do
- Confirm closing date with lawyer and buyer.
- Book Canada Post forwarding for move day.
- Provide lawyer with a verified forwarding address and payment preference.
- Update banks and creditors.
- Arrange utility final reads and transfers.
- Keep home insurance active until possession ends.
- Notify condo board or property manager (if applicable).
- Take final meter readings and photos.
- Update ServiceOntario (driver’s licence, vehicle registration) promptly after moving.
- Keep forwarding for 6–12 months and notify critical contacts directly.
About the local real estate authority who wrote this
Tony Sousa is a full-time Milton realtor serving sellers across Halton Region. He helps sellers plan closings so nothing is left to chance. If you want a tight closing, clear instructions, and local knowledge that eliminates surprises, call or email for a consultation.
Contact: tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
FAQ — Quick answers to the most common questions
Q: Should I change my driver’s licence address before closing?
A: Update after you move. In Ontario, update promptly with ServiceOntario. Do it within a few days of moving.
Q: Will changing my address trigger legal problems at closing?
A: Not if you keep your lawyer informed. Do not change the address on any legal closing paperwork without the lawyer’s consent.
Q: When should I tell the municipality my new address?
A: Municipal ownership records update when title registers. Your lawyer handles property tax adjustments. Provide a forwarding address for any municipal correspondence.
Q: How long should I keep Canada Post forwarding?
A: Keep it for at least six months. Twelve months is safer if you expect delayed mail.
Q: Can final closing funds be sent electronically?
A: Yes. Most Ontario law firms offer e-transfer or direct deposit. Confirm with your lawyer ahead of time.
Q: I moved out early. What extra steps should I take?
A: Ensure utilities were read at move-out, provide the new address to your lawyer immediately, boost Canada Post forwarding, and notify condo management or neighbors.
Q: Do I need to notify buyers of my forwarding address?
A: No. Share it with your lawyer and listing agent. Buyers’ agents don’t need it.
Q: Will my property tax refund go to the new owner?
A: Adjustments are handled at closing. Your lawyer will calculate the final amounts so you are only charged for the time you owned the property.
Q: I’m selling a rental property. Anything different?
A: Yes. Notify tenants, transfer security deposits per Ontario law, and provide forwarding for income tax forms (T4, etc.). Coordinate with your accountant and lawyer.
If you’re selling a home in Milton and want this handled cleanly, call Tony Sousa for a no-nonsense plan tailored to your closing date. tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
