Homeowners are reminded to complete their Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) declaration for each residential property they own before the March 20 deadline. A $250 late fee will be applied to declarations submitted after the deadline.
To complete the declaration, visit ottawa.ca/vut:
- Click “Submit your declaration now”
- Log on with roll number and access code (found on last year’s property tax bill or information notices that were sent by email or Canada Post)
Residents registered with My SeviceOttawa(link is external) can go directly to the declaration from their property tax account. Notices will be sent to property owners in January, with email delivery used whenever possible.
Alternate and accessible declaration options available
By phone (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm):
- Call 613-580-2444 and select option 3 where an agent will help complete your declaration over the phone
- Call 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service
- In-person: Visit any City Client Service Centre. Visit ottawa.ca/csc for locations and business hours.
What’s new in 2025
New and updated exemptions
To find out more about exemption eligibility, visit ottawa.ca/vut.
- Ineligible rural property
- Hazardous and damaged property
- Secondary residence used for medical reasons
- Updates to Construction/renovation exemption
New My ServiceOttawa dashboard
View up to five years of declarations, resubmit your declaration, print or save your declaration, and submit documents for your audit or appeal.
Late appeal
Property owners who miss the standard deadlines to submit an appeal can complete a late appeal request form. An administrative fee of $500 will be applied regardless of the outcome.
Graduated tax rate
Properties that are vacant for consecutive years will be charged an increased VUT rate after the first year. For each additional consecutive year, the rate increases by one per cent, to a maximum of five per cent.
VUT helps more residents to have a place to call home
The intent of the VUT is to help address Ottawa’s current housing supply shortage. It incentivizes residential property owners to keep homes occupied, increasing our housing supply and helping to stabilize market prices and rents.
Revenues generated from the VUT are directly invested in the City’s affordable housing budget, to construct more affordable and supportive housing. It is all about giving more people in Ottawa an opportunity to have a place to call home. See the report on the first-year results online at ottawa.ca/vut.
