Wondering about how to set up your utilities when buying a home in BC? If you’ve just bought a home in British Columbia, one of the first questions is: how do I make sure the lights, water, and internet are ready to go when I move in?
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Call your utility providers (hydro, gas, water, internet, phone, garbage/recycling) as soon as you have a signed, firm contract. Don’t leave it any later than a week before your Completion Date to set up your accounts. Utilities services providers will be busy; they will have forms for you to fill out, and deposits for you to arrange. Never assume the seller’s accounts will transfer to you automatically. If you wait until moving day, you could end up without service.
Why Utilities Matter on Closing Day
Every property has utilities – the services that make the lights go on, that make it possible for you to heat or cool your home, to turn on your gas stove or fireplace, or for you to access water, sewer, or other important life functions.
You have to set up accounts for these utilities before you move into your home, or they won’t be available to you when you move in. Most utilities accounts end when a seller sells their home – buyers do not usually “inherit” or take over these accounts.
Even though you now own the home, BC Hydro, FortisBC, your municipality, and telecom companies will only provide service if the account is in your name. If the seller cancels before you’ve set yours up, you could arrive on moving day to a dark house with no water or heat.
Shared Utilities v. Private Utilities
Some utilities are shared utilities – meaning they are provided to the property by a utilities service provider, usually on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. The cost for these utilities are shared between the seller and the buyer. For example, if the seller paid the shared, quarterly water bill, then the buyer would reimburse the seller for their (the buyer’s) share of the quarterly bill. It’s not fair that the seller pay for the whole thing if they don’t own the property for the full quarter, so the buyer and seller share the bill between them, based on how many days they are each living in the property.
Other utilities are private, or individual accounts, meaning the seller closes out their own individual account for that service, and the buyer starts their own, brand new account for the same service.
What Utilities Do I Need to Arrange?
You need to make a list of the utilities that you will need to live in your new home. Here are some standard utilities you might need to set up accounts for:
- Hydro/electricity – BC Hydro or a local municipal utility
- Gas – FortisBC or propane, depending on the property
- Water & sewer – Usually handled by the municipality or regional district
- Garbage/recycling – Often part of municipal services, but private in rural areas
- Internet, phone, TV – Shaw, Telus, or other providers depending on the region
Remember there is no exhaustive list of utilities for you to check – every municipality has different services. You need to play detective here to find out what you need to set up.
You can find out which utilities services providers you need to use by talking to your REALTOR®, by asking your soon-to-be neighbours, or by calling the utilities services providers to see if they service the property. If you are buying into a strata, ask the strata management company for a list of utilities you will need to sign up for. You can also review the Property Disclosure Statement with your Contract of Purchase and Sale – it may contain useful information as well.
For example, if you aren’t sure who provides electricity to your home, you can start by asking your Realtor, or by calling BC Hydro. If the first utilities provider you call doesn’t service that property, ask them who does.
When Should I Contact Providers?
Get in touch at least a week before your Completion Date (the day ownership transfers). If you can, call them just after your contract is signed, so you have lots of time to get everything arranged. Some providers require a few business days to open or transfer an account. You may need to fill out forms or pay a deposit to get your account started.
If you’re dealing with propane, septic, or rural services, plan even earlier.
What If There Are Outstanding Bills?
The seller is responsible for closing out their individual, personal accounts, but mistakes do happen.
If you receive a past-due notice from a private utilities services provider (such as Fortis or BC Hydro) after moving in, put “moved – return to sender” on the envelope and send it back in the mail. The utilities services provider will track the seller down.
If you receive a past-due notice from a shared utilities services provider (such as the municipal garbage or recycling providers), and you think that amount should have been paid by the seller in the financial exchange with them, contact your BC Notary or lawyer to help you determine how to follow up on it.
Tips to Avoid Problems
- Keep proof of your account setup in writing
- Don’t assume the seller will keep utilities on past closing
- If you’re moving in winter, confirm heating is active so pipes don’t freeze
Closing
Setting up utilities is a small but critical step in making your home move-in ready.
You are responsible for setting up your private utilities, and we’ll go over the shared utilities with you at your signing meeting.
Call us if you have any questions!
FAQs – Setting up Utilities Accounts for a new home in BC
Do I need to wait until I own the home to set up the utilities?
No. In fact, you should start setting them up as soon as you have a firm and binding contract, as it could take a bit to organize everything.
If you wait too long, you won't have the services you need when you move in!
What happens if the seller doesn't cancel their accounts?
If the account is a personal account, meaning the seller was meant to cancel it when they moved out and pay it completely, then the service provider will go after the seller for any unpaid bills.
If the account is a shared account, meaning the buyer and the seller will share the account for the period around the adjustment date, then the seller's notary or lawyer will usually be on an undertaking to ensure that last bill has been properly paid. Talk to your notary or lawyer if this is the scenario you are dealing with.
Can The Notary Group set up my utilities for me?
Nope! Privacy laws will get in the way.
We can give you guidance on the process, but you must set up your own accounts directly with each required service provider.
More Reading
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How do I set up my utilities when buying a home in BC?
Call your utilities services providers as soon as possible to get your accounts set up. Never assume the seller’s accounts will transfer to you automatically!