Buying or selling a home in Alberta: utilities on possession day

The UCA says buyers should contact a retailer before possession. Default rate accounts can start right away. Sellers should give notice for the day the sale closes and can photograph the meters. Expect a final bill after moving out. The UCA says the account holder owes the charges.

When should I set up power and gas for a house I'm buying?

For a house you are buying, set up power and gas before possession, says the UCA. If time is short, start on the default rate now. You can switch to a competitive rate later without penalty. Ask the retailer how long setup will take.

Try to call a retailer at least two weeks before taking possession. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Calgary charges a $10.00 application fee for each new account. (read 30 October 2026) [source] A deposit may be required for a new residential account. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

EPCOR says: You may be able to transfer existing water service to your new Edmonton address. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Use our moving utilities checklist for the wider move.

What should the seller do on possession day?

On possession day, the seller can photograph the utility meters and send the images to the distribution company, says the UCA. Tell each retailer when the sale closes so billing ends on that date. Give a forwarding address for the final bill, and contact the retailer if it does not arrive.

Give each retailer the date to stop billing. When selling, that date is the day the sale closes. Give a forwarding address for the final bill. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Default retailers may only need 3 to 5 days of notice. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Competitive retailers may need up to 45 days of notice. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Check your own contract before choosing the account end date.

Expect a final bill within a month of moving out. Contact the retailer if it does not arrive. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Am I responsible for the previous owner's unpaid bills?

For a previous owner's unpaid bills, the UCA says the account holder is responsible for all energy charges. Municipal water debt needs a separate check under the Municipal Government Act. A council may add an owner's unpaid municipal utility charges to the property's tax roll.

The Municipal Government Act sets out who owes municipal charges: Municipal utility charges for a parcel are owed by its owner. (read 30 October 2026) [source] If the municipality agrees to supply service at the request of an occupant who is not the owner, the charges are owed by the occupant and not the owner. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

A council may add unpaid municipal utility charges owed by the owner to the parcel’s tax roll. (read 30 October 2026) [source] This applies to municipal services such as water, not electricity or gas sold by a retailer. An amount added to the tax roll forms a special lien against the parcel in favour of the municipality. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

This power does not show whether a city has added charges for a given home. Ask your lawyer to check the tax certificate and any utility amounts still owing. This is general information, not legal advice.

What if nobody sets up the account?

If nobody sets up the account, the owner still has to arrange and pay for utilities, says the UCA. Late setup may lead to a large catch-up bill or service being cut off. Ask the retailer how you will get bills and when the first one will arrive.

The UCA says: The account holder owes all charges even if no bill arrives. (read 30 October 2026) [source]

Can I take my energy plan with me?

You may be able to take your energy plan with you, says Direct Energy in its own moving policy. Existing customers can move service and keep their plan. Other retailers may have different terms. Check that your retailer serves the new address, and ask about setup times and exit fees.

Existing Direct Energy customers can transfer service in minutes and keep their current plan. (read 30 October 2026) [source] Check the contract if you are leaving its service area. Our guide to cancelling an energy contract explains what to check before ending a plan.

What about a brand-new home?

A brand-new home needs utilities set up for possession day, says the UCA's new home owner guide. The property owner must arrange and pay for service. Ask about setup periods and exit fees. Check how you will get bills, since missing a bill does not remove the charges.

A bill check, free during our launch

No bills of your own yet? Use the seller's or a neighbour's usage as an estimate in the UCA comparison tool.

BillRobin is an Alberta service. We compare every plan we can confirm for your home, show them in order of estimated cost, and you decide. We never switch your plan, never phone you and never ask for banking details or a social insurance number.

Once your first power and gas bills arrive, use your own bills for a check.

Send us your gas and electricity bills as PDFs. No PDF? Screenshots or a photo work too. We compare the plans at your address, free during our launch period.