What happens to my mail after moving?
“Where does my mail go after I move?” — The blunt truth every Georgetown home seller should know before closing.
Quick Answer: Mail Doesn’t Automatically Follow You — You Must Act
If you’re selling a home in Georgetown, ON and expecting mail to magically show up at your new address, stop. Canada Post won’t guess where you moved. Mail forwarding is a paid service, it has timelines and gaps, and some items don’t forward at all. Miss one step and you lose time, money, or a legal notice.
This guide cuts the noise. Read it, follow the checklist, and move with confidence.
Why this matters to Georgetown home sellers
Selling a house in Georgetown means dates matter. Closing date. Possession date. Final utility readings. Lawyer communications. Missed mail can delay closing documents, confuse buyers, or leave tax bills at the old address. If you want a clean sale and no surprise follow-ups, handle your mail like a pro.
Tony Sousa is a local realtor in Georgetown, Halton Hills. He’s handled dozens of moves here. He’s seen buyers return to the agent because the seller missed a notice, and he’s also helped sellers avoid those problems. Follow these steps.
How mail forwarding works in Canada — the big picture
- Canada Post is the main mail forwarder in Canada. It’s a service you must set up.
- You choose an effective start date. Canada Post then forwards eligible mail from your old address to your new one.
- The service is time-limited and paid. There are options for short-term and longer-term forwarding.
- Not everything is forwarded automatically: courier packages, some subscriptions, and some legal or registered items may require direct address updates.
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Step-by-step: Set up mail forwarding the smart way
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Pick your forward start date: align it with closing or possession. Start forwarding on the day you move out, or on the buyer’s possession date — whichever keeps you receiving critical documents.
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Register with Canada Post online or at a local retail outlet. Do it at least one week before your move to allow processing. If you’re in a time crunch, do it immediately.
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Update critical senders directly (bank, lawyer, CRA, utilities, mortgage company). Don’t rely only on Canada Post for financial or legal mail.
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Keep proof of address change: confirmation emails, transaction numbers, and screenshots. You’ll thank yourself if something goes missing.
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Monitor the first 30 days. Check forwarded mail and reach out to senders that still use the old address.
Timelines and expectations
- Processing: Canada Post recommends you allow several business days for the forwarding to take effect. Start earlier to avoid gaps.
- Duration: Mail forwarding is temporary and typically available for up to 12 months for most personal mail. There may be shorter options for temporary moves. Verify current options and fees on Canada Post’s site.
- Delivery lag: Forwarded pieces can take longer than usual. Expect delays during the first few weeks.
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What gets forwarded — and what doesn’t
Forwarded:
- Personal letters and cards (regular letter mail delivered by Canada Post)
- Most first-class mail from private senders
Usually not forwarded or unreliable:
- Parcels from private couriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL) — they follow their own tracking and address rules
- Some registered, certified, or legal documents that require a signature (these may return to sender or need reissue)
- Subscription magazines or newspapers if the publisher doesn’t forward
- Packages shipped directly by retailers using couriers rather than Canada Post
Action: Contact senders that matter to you. For banks, lawyers, and government bodies, submit a change-of-address directly on their sites.
Common problems Georgetown sellers face — and how to fix them
- Closing documents sent to old address
- Fix: Notify your lawyer and mortgage lender immediately. Give them your new mailing address and ask for electronic copies.
- Tax bills or municipal notices mailed before transfer
- Fix: Contact the Town of Halton Hills property tax office and provide the buyer/seller information and new address. Ask them to reissue important notices.
- Couriers delivering to old address after keys change hands
- Fix: Arrange with the buyer to hold or redirect packages. Let the courier know the property now belongs to the new owner.
- Leases, subscriptions, and ongoing services still going to old address
- Fix: Update accounts (utilities, internet, TV, subscriptions) at least 2 weeks before move.
Local Georgetown tips that save time
- Visit your local Canada Post retail outlet in downtown Georgetown or the nearest retail location in Halton Hills to register in person if you prefer. Staff there know local delivery nuances and can confirm timelines.
- Save your municipal and utility accounts: Halton Hills utilities, Enbridge (if applicable), and local waste collection services — update these early.
- If your buyer is taking possession early or keys are exchanged before closing, agree in writing who gets which mail and when.
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Seller checklist: 10-point mail plan before closing
- Order Canada Post mail forwarding — start date = move-out or possession date.
- Notify lawyer and mortgage lender of new address.
- Update banks, CRA, benefits, and investment accounts online.
- Update utility accounts (Hydro, gas, water, internet) for both old and new address as needed.
- Update subscriptions and magazine deliveries directly with publishers.
- Inform your realtor (Tony Sousa) and buyer of mail handling expectations after possession.
- Hold copies of all change-of-address confirmations.
- Track the first month of forwarded mail closely; chase missing items immediately.
- Pause non-essential deliveries to the old address starting one week before move.
- If you expect parcels, tell senders to use tracked mail or ship to new address with courier tracking.
This checklist prevents most of the problems sellers run into when the possession date and mail mix.
Why Tony Sousa warns clients about mail problems
Tony has seen small oversights cost sellers: missed mortgage statements, delayed final cheques, or legal notices. He treats mail like a critical closing detail. His approach is simple: set the forwarding, update the urgent accounts directly, and document everything. That eliminates excuses and prevents costly slowdowns.
Tony’s local knowledge matters: Georgetown is a tight community. Deliveries sometimes get routed through nearby hubs in Halton Hills. That can create brief delays when mail is redirected. Tony advises scheduling mail forwarding to start on the exact possession date and confirming with Canada Post if your home falls under a different sorting route.
How to handle mail after closing if you already moved
- Immediately set up forwarding the moment you notice missing items.
- Contact senders directly to resend critical documents.
- If a legal or registered document was sent to the old address and returned, notify your lawyer. They can request re-issuance or serve documents correctly.
Final, no-nonsense advice
Don’t assume mail will follow you. Set up Canada Post forwarding, update banks and government accounts, and coordinate with your lawyer and buyer. That small amount of discipline prevents headaches that can derail a smooth closing.
If you’re selling in Georgetown and want a local realtor who handles these details for you, contact Tony Sousa. He’ll make sure mail and closing logistics are covered so you can move without surprises.
Contact Tony Sousa — tony@sousasells.ca | 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
FAQ — Mail Forwarding & Moving in Georgetown, ON
Q: How long does Canada Post forward my mail after I move?
A: Canada Post offers time-limited forwarding (commonly up to 12 months for personal mail). Options and lengths change — check Canada Post for current plans and fees.
Q: Will packages from FedEx or UPS be forwarded?
A: Not automatically. Private couriers manage their own delivery. Give your new address to senders or contact the courier directly.
Q: When should I set mail forwarding to begin?
A: Align the start date with your move-out or the buyer’s possession date. For zero-gap coverage, set it the day you vacate.
Q: Can I rely solely on mail forwarding for banks and government agencies?
A: No. Always update banks, CRA, ServiceOntario, and other important institutions directly to avoid missed statements or legal notices.
Q: What happens to mail delivered after I hand over keys to the buyer?
A: If mail arrives at the property after possession changes, the buyer legally controls the property and can accept or return mail. Agree on handling ahead of time and forward critical items to your new address.
Q: Do I need to visit the Georgetown post office to register?
A: You can register online with Canada Post. If you prefer in-person help, visit your local Canada Post retail outlet in Georgetown for assistance.
Q: Who should I contact if I miss a legal or registered mail item because of the move?
A: Contact your lawyer immediately. They’ll advise next steps and can request re-issuance or take appropriate legal measures.
Q: How can my realtor help with mail during a sale?
A: A proactive realtor (like Tony Sousa) will remind you to set up forwarding, coordinate with your lawyer and buyer, and document mail handling on closing instructions.
Q: What’s the smartest first step for a Georgetown home seller?
A: Set your Canada Post forwarding and update your lawyer and bank. Those two moves fix 90% of potential mail problems.
If you want a line-by-line check of your move plan and mail setup, email Tony at tony@sousasells.ca or call 416-477-2620. He’ll walk you through every detail so your move and closing go clean.
