The City of Ottawa has offered the Property Tax Deferral Program since 2007. It allows qualified low-income seniors and low-income people with disabilities to defer the total amount of their property taxes until one of the following occurs: the property is sold or transferred, the owner(s) no longer qualify for the program, the owner(s) pass away, or the total amount of the deferral and charges exceeds 40% of the property’s value.
The Water Utility Deferral Program mirrors the Property Tax Deferral Program and was implemented on January 1, 2019 to allow qualified seniors and people with disabilities to defer payments of their water utility bills.
The program will provide qualified homeowners with the ability to stay in their homes longer, therefore contributing to a better quality of life. Although some other municipalities may offer a grant program, the City of Ottawa is the first municipality in Canada to offer qualified residents a full water utility deferral.
There is no deadline for first-time applicants, and a renewal application must be submitted annually no later than July 1st in the year the deferral is sought.
