Moving in the Quinte area
Congratulations on your move. This page covers the calls and forms that are easy to forget, with the local details that general checklists leave out. We link to each organization's own page rather than printing phone numbers, because numbers change and the official page is the best place for current details.
Last checked: November 2026.
As soon as your offer is firm, set up home insurance, electricity, natural gas or propane, and your water account so everything is in place on closing day. Selling and leaving the area? Book final meter and tank readings for your closing day and close those accounts.
Change your address with Ontario
Your driver's licence, vehicle permit (ownership) and health card can all be updated through ServiceOntario. Ontario requires the new address on your licence and vehicle permit within six days of moving, and on your health card within 30 days. The change is free, and a new licence card arrives by mail.
Change your address with Canada
The Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada (Employment Insurance, CPP, Old Age Security), Elections Canada, Veterans Affairs Canada and passport records each need your new address. The Government of Canada keeps one page that walks you through each of them.
Electricity
Arrange this as soon as your offer is firm, so the account switches over on your closing day.
Two companies deliver electricity in Belleville, and which one you have depends on your street: Elexicon serves much of the city and Hydro One serves the rest. Outside Belleville, Hydro One is the electricity company for most homes in Quinte West (including Trenton), Prince Edward County, Brighton and Greater Napanee. Check your address on the map below to be sure, or ask the sellers which company is on their bill. If you are our client, we can ask for you.
Your municipality
If the home is on municipal water, contact the municipality before closing to set up or transfer the water account. Here is where to find water accounts and garbage and recycling days for the municipalities we serve most:
- Belleville: water and sewer account, garbage, recycling and organics
- Quinte West: water billing and accounts, collection calendar
- Prince Edward County: water billing, garbage collection
- Greater Napanee: water and wastewater (contact the town before your closing date), garbage and recycling
- Loyalist Township: creating your water account, garbage and recycling
Elsewhere, your township's website has the same information.
On a rural property, make sure the civic address number sign at the road is there and easy to read, so emergency crews can find you. If it is missing or damaged, contact your municipality.
Schools: to register a child, start with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, or, in Greater Napanee and Loyalist, the Limestone District School Board.
Water wells and septic
Many rural homes have a private well and septic system instead, so there is no water account to open. Test your well water after you move in and a few times a year after that. The South East Health Unit (formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health) gives out free sample bottles for bacteria testing.
Natural gas, propane and oil
If the home has natural gas, Enbridge Gas delivers it. You can move your account online, and Enbridge adds a one-time new account charge to the first bill. Set this up when your offer is firm too.
Move your Enbridge Gas service
Propane and heating oil come from local suppliers, and the tank may be owned or rented. If you are our client, we can ask the sellers who their supplier is, whether the tank is rented and when it was last filled, so you can set up delivery before your first cold night.
Home insurance
If you have a mortgage, your lender will need proof of home insurance before closing, and your lawyer usually asks for it. Arrange it as soon as your offer is firm. Tell your insurer about anything that affects coverage, such as a wood stove, an oil tank, a pool or a home business.
Rented equipment
Water heaters are often rented in Ontario, and so are some furnaces, air conditioners and water softeners. The rental usually passes to the buyer. Your agreement of purchase and sale should list them, and your lawyer will confirm the details.
Property tax
Your lawyer adjusts property tax at closing. After you move, make sure your municipality has your name and mailing address so the next tax bill reaches you.
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Test the alarms on moving day. Ontario requires a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside sleeping areas. Since January 1, 2026, a home with a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage also needs a carbon monoxide alarm next to the bedrooms and on every storey. As the owner, keeping them working is your responsibility.
Family doctor
If you need a family doctor or nurse practitioner, register with Health Care Connect. You need your Ontario health card number, and you can register online or by calling 811. It can take time to be matched, so register soon after you move.
Phone, internet and TV
Call your provider about four weeks before you move so service is ready when you arrive. Before you cancel your current service, check which providers reach the new address.
Canada Post can forward your mail to your new address for a fee, for a set term of several months up to a year. It catches anything you forget to update.
Questions?
We are happy to help with any of this. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.