Who is Responsible for Water and Sewer Charges?

The Municipal Act, 2001 allows unpaid water and sewer fees and charges to be placed on the tax roll for the property to which the public utility was supplied regardless of who the consumer is.

As a customer service, the City through its billing agent, Horizon Utilities Corporation, provides the opportunity for water and sewer bills to be sent to a person other than the property owner, such as a tenant or property manager, and to be paid for by that person.

Property owners need to be aware that although billing and payment notifications may be sent to a person other than the property owner, subsection 398 (2) of the Municipal Act, 2001 permits the City of Hamilton to add unpaid water and sewer fees and charges to the tax roll of the property to which the public utility was supplied. In such circumstances, the fees and charges added to the tax roll will have priority lien status as described under section 1 of the Municipal Act, 2001.