Hamilton reminds homeowners of Vacant Unit Tax declaration deadline of April 15

The City of Hamilton is reminding homeowners to complete their 2025 Vacant Unit Tax (VUT) declaration before April 15.

While late declarations will be accepted from April 16 to May 15, a $250 late fee will be applied during this time.

All residential property owners need to submit a declaration, even if the property is their primary residence and is occupied.

This would include homeowners living in their own home, and those who own secondary or rental properties.

The goal of the VUT is to increase the supply of housing in Hamilton by encouraging homeowners to keep their properties occupied rather than vacant.

The city says the tax applies to all properties classified under the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, including single-family detached, townhouses, row houses and multi-family dwellings — duplexes to sixplexes.

In Hamilton, this accounts for around 180,000 properties.

City staff say a vacant property is subject to a one per cent tax of the total assessed property value.

Following the recovery of administrative costs, revenues generated from the tax will be reinvested into affordable housing initiatives.

For more information regarding the VUT declaration, please visit hamilton.ca/VacantUnitTax.

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