How do I transfer utilities, internet, and
services?
Quick, click-worthy question: “How do I transfer utilities, internet, and services?” — here’s the clean, step-by-step playbook that gets it done without delays.
Why this matters now
Selling a home in Georgetown, Ontario isn’t just about offers and inspections. The closing day can blow up if utilities, internet, water accounts, or municipal services aren’t handled cleanly. Buyers expect utilities on. Municipal offices need final reads. You don’t want a last-minute scramble that delays closing or costs you money.
This guide gives a clear, local plan — specific to Georgetown (Town of Halton Hills) — so you can transfer or cancel every service without guessing. No fluff. Just steps you can act on today.
The timeline: when to act
- 30+ days before closing: Start the list. Contact major providers and line up final reads and transfers. Get account numbers and passwords.
- 14 days before closing: Confirm transfer or final meter appointment. Set Canada Post forwarding. Notify municipal offices.
- 3 days before closing: Reconfirm credits/refunds and new account setup times.
- Day of closing: Take final meter readings and photo. Leave a folder of transfer receipts for the buyer or their agent.
The simple checklist — what to transfer or cancel
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water & sewer (municipal billing)
- Internet, home phone, TV (cable/fibre)
- Home security & alarm monitoring
- Lawn care, pool service, cleaning services
- Canada Post mail forwarding
- Property tax final billing and utility adjustments with Town of Halton Hills
Practical steps, provider-by-provider (local, actionable)
1) Electricity
- Who to call: Check your bill — this could be Alectra Utilities or Hydro One depending on the address. If you can’t find it, the Town of Halton Hills site lists local provider info.
- What to do: Call to request a final read or self-read on closing day and request a final bill to be mailed or emailed. If the buyer will keep the account, ask if the account can be transferred with buyer consent.
- Tip: Record final meter reading (photo with date/time) on closing day.
2) Natural gas
- Who to call: Enbridge Gas is the primary gas provider in Halton Hills.
- What to do: Call to schedule a final billing date and give the exact date of possession. Enbridge allows transfers in many cases with new account setup.
- Tip: Ask about refundable deposits and final bill timing.
3) Water, sewer, garbage (Town of Halton Hills)
- Who to contact: Town of Halton Hills, Utility Billing & Tax Office.
- What to do: Notify the town of the property sale date. Provide the buyer’s contact if they agree. Request a final meter read and pro-rated sewer/water billing if applicable.
- Local nuance: Georgetown often bills quarterly. Confirm billing cycle so you can handle pro-rated charges correctly.
4) Internet, cable, phone
- Major providers nearby: Bell, Rogers, TekSavvy, Start.ca, VMedia, and local resellers.
- What to do: Decide if you’ll transfer the service to the buyer or cancel. Most providers require the account holder to call and either transfer or schedule a disconnect on closing day. If the buyer wants service on move-in day, confirm appointment windows and any installation fees.
- Tip: If the buyer is signing up with a different provider, make sure your equipment (modem/router) is either included in the sale or removed and the buyer has a plan.
5) Home security & alarm monitoring
- What to do: Contact your alarm company to transfer monitoring or cancel. Some systems are transferable; others require a new contract from the buyer.
- Tip: If cancellation is required, schedule it for the possession date and give the buyer any keypad codes or system manuals.
6) Mail forwarding and address updates
- Canada Post: Set up a mail forwarding request online for at least 6 months. Keep bills coming to your new address.
- Also update: banks, credit cards, provincial licensing, subscriptions, and any service tied to your home address.
7) Services (landscaping, pool, cleaning)
- What to do: Notify each contractor of the sale and the final service date. If the buyer wants a quote to continue services, let them connect directly.
How to transfer vs cancel — the decision framework
- Transfer when: The service has a contract or benefits the buyer (e.g., long-term TV bundles, security monitoring), and the buyer is willing to take it over.
- Cancel when: You don’t want to leave equipment behind, the contract is ending, or the buyer prefers their provider.
- Always: Get the buyer’s written consent if you plan to transfer accounts or leave equipment.
Sample scripts (use these on the phone)
- Electricity final bill: “Hi, I’m selling my home at [address]. Closing/possession is on [date]. Please schedule a final meter read for that day and email me the final bill. Account number is [#####].”
- Internet cancellation/transfer: “My account [#] at [address] needs to be transferred/cancelled effective [possession date]. If transfer, I have the new purchaser’s consent and contact [name, number].”
- Town of Halton Hills: “I’m the owner of [address]. The property sells on [date]. Please arrange final water meter read and provide pro-rated billing and advise on final tax adjustments.”
Paperwork to gather now
- Account numbers and recent bills for electricity, gas, water, internet, TV.
- Contract end dates and any transfer fees.
- Proof of identity for account authorization.
- A copy of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (some providers ask for this).
Day-of-closing actions
- Take photos of every meter showing readings and the digital timestamp on your phone.
- Leave a folder for the buyer with account numbers, provider contacts, passwords for Wi-Fi (if leaving it), and scheduled service info.
- Confirm final readings with the utility companies and get confirmation emails.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Waiting until the last minute to call providers. Some transfer requests take weeks.
- Assuming the buyer will automatically get service. They need to book installations or transfers in advance.
- Forgetting municipal accounts — water and tax adjustments are often overlooked.
- Leaving behind equipment without recorded agreements. Clearly state in the contract what stays.
Local vendors and links you should check now
- Town of Halton Hills — utility billing and taxes (contact early)
- Enbridge Gas — natural gas accounts
- Local internet/cable providers — Bell, Rogers, TekSavvy, Start.ca
- Alectra Utilities or Hydro One — check on your electricity bill
- Canada Post — mail forwarding
(Exact phone numbers change. Use the account bills or the Town of Halton Hills website for the latest local contact info.)
Final checklist to leave with the buyer
- Final meter photos and readings
- List of all providers, account numbers, and cancellation/transfer confirmations
- Wi-Fi network name and password (if you leave equipment)
- Service manuals, alarm codes, and contractor contacts
Call to action (no fluff)
You don’t want a utility issue delaying your closing. If you’re selling a home in Georgetown and want this handled fast and clean, get professional help. Email tony@sousasells.ca or call 416-477-2620. Visit https://www.sousasells.ca for a closing checklist and local vendor contacts.
FAQ — Transfer utilities, internet and services when selling in Georgetown, ON
Q: Who pays for utilities on closing day?
A: Typically the seller pays up to possession day. Final bills are pro-rated. Confirm with the buyer in the agreement and with Town of Halton Hills for municipal billing.
Q: Can I transfer my internet account to the buyer?
A: Often yes, but the buyer must accept the transfer and sometimes pass a credit check. Call your provider early to confirm transfer rules and any fees.
Q: What if the buyer wants services active right away?
A: Coordinate install/transfer appointments at least 7–14 days before possession. Provide interim Wi‑Fi access if needed and agreed.
Q: Who does the final water read in Georgetown?
A: The Town of Halton Hills arranges final reads or pro-rated billing. Notify them early and provide the sale date.
Q: Will I get refunds for deposits?
A: If you paid security deposits to providers (gas, internet, electricity), ask for a final reconciliation and refund. Keep copies of all final bills.
Q: Should I leave my modem, router, or alarm system?
A: Only leave equipment if agreed in writing. If the buyer wants to use it, include it in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale or a separate written note.
Q: How do I avoid delays at closing?
A: Start early, document everything, take photos of meter readings, confirm appointments, and leave a transfer folder for the buyer.
If you want a personalized transfer plan and a local vendor list for Georgetown, email tony@sousasells.ca or call 416-477-2620. I prepare the list, call vendors if you want, and leave a transfer folder with your buyer on closing day.
