Next Steps After Buying a Home in Waterloo Region

Congratulations on your new home purchase in the Waterloo Region! To ensure a smooth transition into your new residence, here's a comprehensive guide tailored for new homeowners in the area.

1. Set Up Utilities

Ensuring your utilities are active from day one is crucial. Here's how to proceed:

Electricity (Hydro) Services

• Kitchener, Waterloo, and Townships of Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich:

  • Enova Power Corp. serves these areas. To set up your electricity account, visit:
    www.enovapower.com

• Cambridge and the Township of North Dumfries:

  • GrandBridge Energy Inc. provides hydro services. Account setup information is available at:
    www.grandbridgeenergy.com

Natural Gas

• Kitchener:

  • Kitchener Utilities supplies natural gas. You can set up a new account online or call 519-741-2450. More details at:
    Kitchener Utilities Website

• Cambridge & Waterloo:

  • Enbridge Gas provide gas service to Cambridge and Waterloo. You can set up an account online at Enbridge Website 

• Other Areas:

  • Depending on your location within the Waterloo Region, natural gas services may be provided by other utilities. Check your municipality’s website for specific details.

Water Services

Water services are managed by local municipalities:

• Kitchener: www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/water.aspx
• Waterloo: www.waterloo.ca/en/living/water-and-sewer.aspx
• Cambridge: www.cambridge.ca/en/your-city/Utilities.aspx

Waste Management

The Region of Waterloo manages garbage, recycling, and green bin collection. Learn about your pickup schedule and sorting guidelines at:
www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/waste.aspx

2. Notify Service Providers of Your Move

Updating your address is an important step in the moving process:

• Canada Post Mail Forwarding: To ensure you don’t miss important mail, set up mail forwarding at:
  www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/personal/moving/mail-forwarding.page

• Driver’s Licence and Health Card: Update your address with ServiceOntario at:
  www.ontario.ca/page/change-my-address-ontario-services

• Financial Institutions: Notify your bank, credit card companies, and investment providers of your new address. Most banks allow you to update this online.

3. Familiarize Yourself with Your New Community

Getting to know your neighbourhood enhances your living experience:

• Local Services & Community Programs: Visit the Region of Waterloo's website to learn about local services, libraries, and recreation centres:
  www.regionofwaterloo.ca

• Public Transportation (Grand River Transit): Understand local bus routes and schedules at:
  www.grt.ca

• Emergency Services (Hospitals & Clinics): Find the nearest hospitals and healthcare facilities through:
  www.ontario.ca/page/find-family-doctor-or-nurse-practitioner

4. Inspect and Secure Your New Home

Before settling in, make sure your home is safe and well-maintained:

• Change Locks: Replace all exterior locks for security.
• Inspect Safety Devices: Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning.
• Locate Shut-Off Valves: Familiarize yourself with the main water and gas shut-off valves in case of emergencies.

5. Review Home Warranty and Insurance

• Home Warranty: If your home is newly built, check for any builder warranties or Tarion Warranty Corporation coverage at:
  www.tarion.com
• Home Insurance: Ensure you have proper coverage for your property and belongings. Contact your insurance provider for policy details.

By following this guide and using the provided resources, you'll be well-prepared to settle into your new home in the Waterloo Region. Welcome to the community! 🎉