In this article:
- How to cancel utility services at your current home
- How to set up electricity and natural gas at your new address
- Required information
- When to contact energy retailers
- Fees and deposits
If you’re moving between homes in Ontario, it’s important to remember to cancel your current utility service and renew it at your new location. Here’s how to handle it, in just a few steps.
1. Contact Your Current Utility
First, you need to get hold of your current utility provider so that you can cancel service at your old address. Most utilities recommend at least a few business days’ notice for disconnecting service, so do not wait until the last minute. A week or two of lead time is advisable. You should be able to contact your utility either online or by phone.
You will need your account number, which you can find on your electricity bill and natural gas bill. In addition, if you have a contract with an electricity or natural gas retailer (not all customers do), you will need to contact them as well. You should try to give your retail provider at least two weeks’ notice. They will transfer service to your new address or cancel your contract if they are unable to serve you at your new location.
2. Contact Your New Utility
Obviously, you want to have service at your new address, so you will need to contact the utilities that serve the area you will be moving to. In Ontario, electricity is provided by a local distribution company, and natural gas service depends on the region. The Ontario Energy Board offers pages where you can locate the local electricity and natural gas utilities for any city in Ontario.
Once you have identified your new utilities, you’ll need to contact them, ideally a week or two ahead of time. Information you may be asked to provide may include:
- Name
- New address
- Billing address (if differs from the above)
- Phone number
- Government-issued ID or credit information
- The date on which you want to start service
3. Pay Any Necessary Security Deposits or Activation Fees
Utility companies usually charge a setup fee for setting up electricity or natural gas delivery. If your old utility provides services in your new location, they may waive this fee. In addition, some utilities may require the payment of a security deposit before they will connect to your meter, particularly if you do not have an established credit history or payment record. This is sometimes waived if you have been in good standing with your previous utility for a year or more.
Key takeaways:
- Notify your current utility provider for a few business days in advance.
- Set up utilities at your new home ahead of your move-in date.
- Keep in mind that utility providers and services vary by location within Ontario.
- Setup fees and deposits are common.
