Real Estate Transfers

Process for obtaining a final water and sewer bill when a property is sold

 

Process for Transfer of Ownership of Real Estate

Water and sewer accounts are attached to the property and not to the individual property owner(s). When a transfer of ownership occurs the account is not closed; it is transferred into the name of the new owner(s). Any balance owed on the account after the transfer of ownership belongs to the property and therefore is, ultimately, the responsibility of the current owners of the property.

(If the seller moves to another Marblehead location and uses an on-line payment service, including payment made through the Town's website, it is important that they change their water and sewer account number with their on-line service. If a check is received with the account number belonging to their previous address and the payment is posted to their old account, we are not able to transfer the payment to their new account.)

The Water and Sewer Commission will calculate the water and sewer usage from the time of the last billing meter reading until the date of the reading taken for the transfer. A Real Estate Transfer form will be prepared for the seller or seller’s agent that will include the charges for water and sewer used since the last billing (the “unbilled” charges) as well as any balance owed from the previous bill (the “billed” charges). This will be the amount owed by the seller for usage.

The seller or seller’s agent will also receive a blank Real Estate Transfer Confirmation and Payment Remit form. This form must be completed and signed by both the seller(s) and buyer(s) at the closing (not prior to the closing) and returned to the Water and Sewer Commission. THE ACCOUNT WILL REMAIN IN THE SELLER’S NAME(S) UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE COMPLETED TRANSFER CONFIRMATION FORM AND AMOUNT OWED BY THE SELLER IS RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION.

Process for Real Estate Transfers

  • Seller or seller's agent must submit a Meter Reading Request Form NO LATER THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS PRIOR TO THE CLOSING DATE.
  • Seller or seller's agent must call the water and sewer office to schedule an appointment for an inspection well in advance of the closing, usually three or more weeks. This will allow time for corrections to be made should the property not pass the inspection. Inspection appointments are limited and fill quickly. It is suggested that the inspection be scheduled as soon as the realtor receives the listing. (A person 18 years of age or older must accompany the water department inspector during the inspection.) No meter reading will be taken and no final bill will be prepared until the meter and all connections pass inspection.                                        
  • The water department will take an electronic reading no earlier than three (3) days prior to the closing. (Any excessive water use between the date of the reading and date of the actual closing would be subject to ajudication between the parties to the transaction.)                                         
  • The water department will email the 'final bill' to the seller or seller's agent. In addition to the amount owed for usage, this bill will include a $25.00 mid-cycle reading fee and a $25.00 administrative fee.                                                                                                                   
  • The seller or seller's agent will also be emailed a Confirmation of Transfer form. This form should be signed by both the seller(s) and buyer(s) at the closing and must be returned to the Water and Sewer Commission within five (5) days of the closing. It is important to note that the water and sewer account will remain in the name of the seller until this Confirmation of Transfer is returned, authorizing the Commission to put the account in the buyer's name.

A request for a meter reading received less than the required seven (7) days prior to the closing is subject to a $500.00 fee:  A Real Estate Transfer form with a flat charge of $500.00 and a $25.00 administrative fee will be issued and is payable by the seller(s). This $500.00 will be applied to the account and any balance or overpayment will be accrued to the buyer(s). The requirement that the meter and connections pass an inspection is still applicable.

All Real Estate Transfer Meter Readings must be taken by a Water and Sewer Commission meter reader. Readings taken by the seller, the seller’s agent or any other party will not be accepted. A Meter Reading Request Form is available on-line or at the Water and Sewer office. All information requested on the form should be provided.