FAQ's: Water Shut off to Tenants’ Water/Wastewater Accounts | |
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Does this apply to commercial as well as residential properties? | |
Yes, a building occupied by a tenant whose water/wastewater account is in arrears will have the water turned off by the City. |
Will the City shut off the water if the premises are occupied by the Owner? | |
At this time this only applies to tenants who are in arrears. |
As an Owner (or Designate) how will I know when the tenant is in arrears? | |
You will continue to receive copies of the Reminder Notice letters that the City sends to the tenant. |
Can the Owner demand that the City shut off the water? | |
When the owner receives a copy of the Reminder Notice, he/she has the option to submit a Request for Consideration of Water Shut Off to the City; the request will be reviewed and determined if eligible for having the water supply shut off to the premises for the tenant who is in arrears. |
If my tenant is in arrears, do I have to shut off the water? | |
Only the City will determine if and when the water will be shut off as a result of the arrears. |
Doesn’t the Landlord Tenant Act prohibit a Landlord from withholding a vital service such as water? | |
This Act states that if the supply of a vital service (water, fuel, gas) is cut-off because the tenant failed to pay their own utility bill, the tenant cannot claim that the landlord withheld a vital service. The contract for the supply of water is between the tenant and the City, it is the City who determines when the water will be shut off for nonpayment of the water account. |
Who is responsible for notifying the tenant about the water being shut off? | |
The City will notify the tenant by letter that disconnection could occur after 15 days from the notice if payment is not received. |
As Owner (or Designate), can I complete one request for consideration form for all shut offs? | |
You must complete one form for each location as the City needs to ensure that you are informed of the pending shut off in case the tenant contacts you directly. |
How will the City know that the water is really shut off? | |
The City will monitor the water consumption using the Automated Meter Reading system to ensure the water is shut off or the flow has been substantially decreased. |
How do we stop the scheduled water shut off? | |
As an Owner (or Designate) you would need to contact the Finance Department Water Billing Branch by phone or email to arrange for payment of the arrears. As a tenant, you can pay online through your financial institution allowing 3 business days for your bank to transfer the monies to the City. Or you can pay in person at City Hall with cash, certified cheque, money order or debit card no later than noon of the business day before the scheduled shut off. We do not accept credit card payments or personal cheques, nor will City staff accept payment when they are onsite to turn off the water. |
Who pays for this water shut off service? | |
For disconnections that occur due to regular review of delinquent accounts by the City, the tenant will be charged for shutting off the water and turning it back on. For Request from Owners that proceed to a disconnection, charges may apply to the Owner. |
When will the water be turned back on? | |
The water will be turned back on when payment of the arrears is received. If full payment cannot be made, a formal Letter of Commitment for payment arrangements for the balance must be completed and adhered to, or when the Owner (or Designate) provides the City with information about a new tenant. The City requires a minimum of 48 hours notice to turn the water back on. |
How will I know when the account has been paid? | |
The Owner (or Designate) may contact the City to inquire whether payment has been received and if the water is or has been scheduled to be turned back on. Either of the tenant, Owner (or Designate) must be present when the water is turned back on to ensure the water is flowing properly. |
Why do I have to be onsite when the water is being turned back on? | |
The City must ensure that the water is flowing properly inside the premises, that there are no leaks detected or there are no plumbing issues as it relates to the water shut off process. |
What if there is damage to the water system? | |
If any damage or leaks occur, the City is not liable or responsible. The Owner is responsible for all repairs. |
What if there is a new tenant? | |
The water will be turned back on once the City receives the new Owner/Tenant Agreement Form from the Owner (or Designate). The arrears of the old tenant will be transferred to the property tax roll. |
As the Owner, what if I don’t pay the shut off fee? | |
It will be transferred to the property tax roll after 30 days. |
If the tenant’s water/wastewater account remains in arrears despite the water supply being shut off, what happens next? | |
The arrears amount will be transferred to the Owner’s property tax account. A notice will be sent to the Owner indicating the amount applied to the property tax account and why. |
What if the tenant never pays their arrears? | |
Until the arrears are paid in full, the water will remain off at the property unless the Owner (or Designate) provides the City with authorization to establish a new account for a new tenant at the property or the Owner (or Designate) has notified the City that the two parties have reconciled the arrears. |
I have hired someone to look after my property, what do I need to do? | |
If you have hired a person or a company to look after your rental unit, then you should send to Finance an authorization letter providing details of your assigned ‘Designate’: the municipal addresses the Designate is responsible for, any expiry date of this arrangement and the Designate’s complete contact information. |