New to Halton Hills: a moving-in checklist

Before you move

Halton Hills Hydro asks for at least two business days' notice of a move.

• Open an account with Halton Hills Hydro using its online Move In request, by calling customer service during business hours, or with its printable Residential Account Application, giving at least two business days' notice. The same account covers your water, because Halton Hills Hydro bills water and wastewater for Halton Region.

  Our guideHalton Hills Hydro Move In requestSource: Halton Hills Hydro, Moving

• Start natural gas service by submitting your move online to Enbridge Gas, with your new address and your move-in and move-out dates. Expect a one-time New Account Charge on your first bill.

  Our guideEnbridge Gas: move, change or close your serviceSource: Enbridge Gas, Move, Change or Close your Service

• If you are buying, make sure the seller asks the hydro provider for the final water meter reading and transfer information; otherwise unpaid water charges and compliance issues pass to you with the property.

  Our guideSource: Halton Region, Property Owners and Tenants

In your first weeks

• Enter your address in Halton Region's online waste collection schedule to find your garbage, Green Cart, recycling, yard waste and bulk collection days, and sign up for free reminders.

  Our guideWaste collection scheduleSource: Halton Region, Waste Collection Schedule and Reminders

• If the home has no Green Cart or kitchen catcher, new residents can get one of each free; in Halton Hills pick them up at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre, 11620 Trafalgar Road, Georgetown, after calling 311 to confirm stock.

  Our guideSource: Halton Region, Curbside Collection and Waste Sorting Guide

• Know the parking rules: street parking is limited to six hours unless posted, and from 15 November to 15 April it is banned between 2 and 6 a.m. on Town streets. Request a temporary exemption online if visitors or driveway work need the street.

  Our guideParking exemption portalSource: Town of Halton Hills, A Resident's Guide to On-street Parking Regulations (pamphlet, updated 2023)

• Find your ward: Ward 1 is Acton, Ward 2 the rural area and hamlets, Ward 3 North Georgetown and Ward 4 South Georgetown. Each has two Local Councillors, and the Town's Elected Officials page lists how to reach them.

  Our guideElected officialsSource: Town of Halton Hills, Elected Officials

• Register your children for school. With the Halton District School Board, find your home school with its Find My Local School tool, then register in person at the school or pre-register online, bringing proof of your child's age and two current proofs of address; immunizations must be reported to Halton Region Public Health. The Halton Catholic District School Board has its own Register Your Child page.

  Our guideHDSB: register for schoolHCDSB: register your childSource: Halton District School Board, Register for School

• Get a free Halton Hills Public Library card if you live, work, go to school or own property in Halton Hills. Apply online or at the Acton or Georgetown branch, and bring photo ID when you pick up the card.

  Get a library cardSource: Halton Hills Public Library, Get a Library Card

• If you have a dog, license it with the Town within seven days of moving to Halton Hills. Apply or renew online through DocuPet, uploading a rabies certificate; no more than three dogs are allowed at one address.

  Dog licence application (DocuPet)Source: Town of Halton Hills, Canine Services

If you own

• Register on the Town's property tax portal to see your bill, balance and payments; you need your roll number, the access code on your tax bill and the owner name exactly as shown. Owners must get their bill even if it does not arrive, and can set up pre-authorized payments in the portal.

  Our guideProperty tax portalSource: Town of Halton Hills, Taxes

If you rent

• Check that your tenancy uses Ontario's standard lease, required for most residential tenancy agreements signed on or after 30 April 2018, and see which utilities (electricity, heat, water) it makes you responsible for.

  Get the standard leaseSource: Government of Ontario, Guide to Ontario's standard lease

• If your lease makes you responsible for water, ask your landlord about the water and wastewater account: Halton Region lets property owners assign a third party, such as a tenant, to hold it.

  Our guideSource: Halton Region, Property Owners and Tenants