On the same day that CBC shared a story about a property owner in Hintonburg facing an old water bill from a deceased previous owner, Meg Dolland received a letter from the city. Having read about Robert Haslett’s situation where he was unexpectedly charged for water arrears, Dolland found herself in a similar predicament.
The letter she received requested payment of $435 for just a 10-day water usage period, along with accumulated interest dating back to March 2020, right before she acquired her residence in Old Ottawa South. Dolland expressed her frustration, deeming the five-year delay in notification and the steep charges unjust and unreasonable. She emphasized that the city’s practice of allowing interest to accrue daily without timely communication was unfair and burdensome.
Dolland’s case is not isolated, as several individuals, including John Dathan and Ann Marcil, shared their experiences of inheriting water arrears from previous property owners. Dathan was shocked to discover a $369 bill for a two-week period in 2017 for his Westboro home, questioning the city’s delayed approach in notifying him about the charges. Similarly, Marcil, who received a bill amounting to $576 for arrears dating back to 2018, criticized the lengthy delay in addressing the issue and questioned the rationale behind holding new owners responsible for past debts.
While the city clarified that water arrears are tied to the property rather than the individual, and efforts are made to collect from previous owners before transferring the charges, residents like Dana Thibeault expressed bewilderment over the prolonged duration of the unresolved bills. Thibeault’s bill, totaling $534.33 for a period in 2017, highlighted the significant portion attributed to interest, leaving her frustrated with the lack of prompt communication from the city.
Despite the growing concern among affected homeowners, the city denied engaging in a targeted campaign to collect water arrears, stating that the notices were part of routine collection procedures. Joseph Muhuni, the city’s deputy treasurer for revenue, acknowledged the distress caused by unexpected bills and advised homeowners to consult their lawyers for certificates identifying outstanding charges. However, real estate lawyer Rita Asangarani cautioned that these certificates may not always capture all charges preceding a property sale.
Residents facing uncertainties regarding their water bills were encouraged to contact the city for clarification and assistance. The city reassured homeowners that title insurance typically covers charges stemming from previous owners’ arrears, offering a potential solution to alleviate the financial burden on affected individuals.