Published 16 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
After buying a house in Toronto: confirm utilities are in your name (electricity, gas, water and waste), confirm home insurance is active, make sure the City has you on the property tax account, change the locks, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check your land transfer tax rebate went through, register any new-home warranty, and update your address with Canada Post, the CRA and your bank.
Week 1: safety and access
- Change or rekey the locks and reset garage and alarm codes.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms; Ontario requires working alarms.
- Find the main water shut-off, electrical panel and gas shut-off.
- Photograph meter readings on possession day.
Week 1–2: accounts
| Account | What to do |
|---|---|
| Electricity | Open or transfer the account with the local utility (Toronto Hydro in Toronto) |
| Natural gas | Open or transfer with the gas utility |
| Water and solid waste | City of Toronto utility account for the property |
| Home insurance | Confirm the policy started on closing day |
| Internet and phone | Transfer or book installation |
| Property tax | Confirm the City has your name and mailing address; check adjustments on your statement |
Week 2–4: money and paperwork
- Confirm your lawyer applied first-time buyer land transfer tax rebates if eligible.
- Keep the statement of adjustments and closing documents for tax records.
- Register new-home warranty coverage if the home is new.
- Review your MPAC assessment when notices arrive. See property tax and MPAC.
- Update your address with Canada Post, the CRA, banks, employer and licence.
Protect your investment
- Service the furnace and air conditioner.
- Clean eavestroughs and check grading and downspouts.
- Consider backwater valve and sump protection. See the basement flooding subsidy.
Track your home’s value
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Building your estimate
Estimated market value
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$0–$0
Most likely value $0 · roughly $0 per square foot
What moved the number
Starting from the area baseline for your property type, here’s what each answer added or subtracted.
Market context
Recent local averages for comparison.
—
A range is a starting point.
A strategy is what sells.
This model doesn’t know that your neighbour’s identical semi went $80,000 over asking last month, or which two upgrades actually pay back in your area. That conversation is free and takes twenty minutes.
Where I fit
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty. I stay in touch after closing for buyers across Toronto and the GTA, with market updates and trusted trades when you need them.
The takeaway
In your first month: secure the home, put utilities and insurance in your name, confirm property tax and rebates, register warranties, update your address, and start basic maintenance. Keep closing documents safe for tax and resale.
Talk it through with me
Just bought a home?
Tell me what you need help with. I will send trusted contacts and a printable checklist.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after buying a house in Toronto?
Change the locks, test alarms, set up utilities and insurance, confirm the property tax account, check rebates, register warranties and update your address.
Do I need to set up water service in Toronto?
Yes, the property needs a City of Toronto utility account for water and solid waste in the owner’s name.
When do I start paying property tax?
From closing; your lawyer adjusts the amount for the year on the statement of adjustments, and the City bills you going forward.
Do I get my land transfer tax rebate automatically?
Eligible first-time buyers usually claim it through their lawyer at registration. Confirm on your closing documents.
Should I change the locks after buying?
Yes, previous owners, agents or contractors may still have keys or codes.
What documents should I keep after closing?
The agreement, statement of adjustments, transfer, mortgage documents and receipts for improvements.
Sources
- City of Toronto — utility and property tax accounts — setting up water and solid waste accounts and property tax billing for new owners. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- City of Toronto — Municipal Land Transfer Tax — the Toronto first-time buyer rebate of up to $4,475. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- RECO — information for buyers and sellers — consumer guidance on buying and selling, deposits and representation. Accessed 16 September 2026.
Related reading
- Closing costs in Toronto
- What title insurance covers
- What happens after an offer is accepted
- Basement flooding subsidy
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA, with deep local knowledge of the west end. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every market figure here comes from TRREB’s published tables and every rule from RECO or Ontario legislation, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at connect@jatindua.com or 833-330-1925, or book a call.