I just bought a house in Ottawa, now what?

Jun 9

Congratulations on your new home! Buying a new home is one of the most exciting purchases a person can make - a whole space that is completely your own! But it’s also a huge responsibility. You now own this land and property and are responsible for everything inside of it. So what’s next?

Change your address.
- You have 6 days after moving to change your driver's license and vehicle registration and 30 days to change your health card address. On your passport, you can cross out your current address (do not use white out, just pen) and write your new address above. For your current job, you will want to inform them of your new address for your pay and T4.
- You will need to call your bank to change your address and order new cheques. Your CRA account can be updated online in your profile section. Insurance, Hydro, Enbridge, and Internet providers will also need to be updated. Next, you can contact any organizations you are a part of and gyms, as well as online shopping accounts.
- Update your doctors, prescriptions, and pharmacies, especially if you have any prescriptions with your address on them.
- If you have children, you’ll need to contact their schools, daycares, any programs they participate in, and health care providers.
- Any mail subscriptions you have will also need to be updated. If you live in a condo or apartment, you’ll want to let the mail service in your building know to forward any lost mail to your new address. You will also want to contact any friends or family that send you mail.
- If you have pets, you will want to update their tags, insurance company, any pet registries you have them on, and their vet office.
Get ready to move. Stock up on boxes, tape, and wrap, declutter where possible, arrange pet and child care for moving day, book elevators if necessary (condos), and schedule time off work. You’ll want to confirm a moving company if you need help and ensure your key pickup works with your move-in date.
If you have kids, make sure to check what school board they are in and register them at a new school if necessary.
Change the locks! Make sure your home is secured. Although the previous owners are most likely trustworthy people, the last thing you want is a key that was left with a friend or family member coming back to bite you. Changing the locks, garage codes, alarm systems, and more.
Make sure you have insurance and warranties on your appliances, home, and more. Some people may receive these from their sellers and should be reviewed to ensure you know what is covered and how to file a claim if necessary.
Connect your utilities. Reach out to Hydro Ottawa, the City of Ottawa, and more to sign up with your utility companies and switch from the previous owners to yourself!
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are in good working condition, and perhaps replace batteries or even entire units.
Make arrangements for any major renovations before you move in. This is dependent on when you have to be out of your current home, but renovations, especially paint and flooring, are easier and cheaper if you arrange them before you move in!
In addition, you can also arrange a cleaning of your home before you move in. This should be something the seller does, but if you want to ensure a perfectly clean home for your move-in, hiring a service yourself will ensure it’s done the way that you want it to be.
Introduce yourself to the neighbours, tour the neighbourhood, take note of important local spots (like groceries, gas, convenience stores, and more), and prepare to move!