London, Ontario Property Tax Guide for Homeowners

Property tax is one of the largest ongoing costs of owning a home in London, Ontario. Understanding how the bill is built and when it is due helps you avoid surprises, especially in your first year. Everything below comes from the City of London’s property tax page.

What your tax bill is based on

Your bill depends on your property’s assessed value from MPAC (the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation), the City’s multi-year budget, and the provincial education tax. The City’s tax rates and tax codes are published on its website, including prior years, if you want to compare.

Interim and final bills

London bills taxes in two parts.

The interim bill

The interim bill covers the first half of the year. It is an estimate based on last year’s taxes plus the average residential rate increase. In 2026, interim bills were mailed on January 31 with instalments due February 27 and March 31.

The final bill

After City Council sets final tax rates in April, the final bill is issued. It adjusts for any difference from your interim payments. The 2026 final instalments are due June 30, August 31 and October 30.

Penalties for late payment

If a payment is not made by its due date, the City charges a penalty of 1.25% on the first day of default and again on the first day of each following month while an amount remains unpaid. Monthly reminder notice fees may also apply. The City says staff and Council generally cannot waive penalties, except in rare cases where the City made an error on the bill.

Paying monthly with the pre-authorized plan

If you prefer smaller payments, the City offers a pre-authorized payment plan. Highlights:

• There is no enrolment fee.
• You must be paid up to date to join.
• Withdrawals happen on the last business day of each month from January to October, with none in November or December.
• You submit one authorization agreement per property with a void cheque.
• Supplementary taxes for new construction or improvements are paid separately.

Buying or selling: what to know

When you buy, your lawyer adjusts property taxes on closing so each party pays for the time they owned the home. Ask your lawyer to explain the adjustment, and ask about any supplementary tax on new construction. If you are buying a newly built home, see our new build guide. Property tax should also be a line in your monthly budget alongside your mortgage payment; our guide to down payments and mortgage insurance can help with the rest of that picture.

Thinking about what you would pay in different parts of the city? Browse our London community guides, and use the buyer hub to start your search. If you own and are wondering about your home’s market value, request a home valuation.

Contact the Tax Office

For questions about your own bill, contact the City of London Tax Office at 519-661-4540 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or taxoffice@london.ca. Dates and procedures can change each year, so check the City’s page for the current year.

Tips for new homeowners

• Mark the instalment dates. Put each due date in your calendar. The dates for 2026 are listed above, and the City publishes new dates each year.
• Budget monthly. Even if you pay by instalment, setting aside a monthly amount avoids a surprise.
• Check your assessment. If you think your MPAC assessment looks wrong, MPAC is the agency to contact. The City’s page explains where each part of the bill comes from.
• Keep your mailing address current. Bills are mailed, so a missed notice does not remove the due date.
• Ask your lawyer about adjustments. After closing, confirm who is responsible for any amounts still owing for the current period.

Have a real estate question? Contact our team.