Utilities

Letters are sent by your lawyer to all municipal or regional utility departments to confirm that there are no arrears or outstanding charges for gas, water or hydro; that there are no conditional sales contracts, easements or unregistered agreements, liens or other encumbrances affecting the property or equipment being left by the vendor. These letters also verify if the equipment on the property is rented or owned and they also advise the various utility departments of the scheduled closing date, the new owner's name and the name of the vendor's solicitor. These letters also request information as to the type of billing and if the billing is metered, to do final meter readings on the scheduled closing date and to forward final bills to the vendor, in care of his solicitor.

Each department has a set fee for replying to these letters and these fees are paid by the lawyer on your behalf as disbursements on your account. If your transaction is being title insured, your lawyer may not order all utility searches because some arrears may be covered by the insurance provided your lawyer obtains verbal clearances.

Continue>>