City of Chicago Water Certifications Fees for Condominiums

On Monday, December 17, 2007 the City implemented several changes to the procedure for obtaining Water Department certification. This certification is one of the prerequisites to the purchase of City transfer tax stamps.

First, the ordinance increases the application fee for a water certification to $50.00 for all applications, regardless of the nature of the property. Second, the sale of a unit by the developer to the initial owner will not require a Full Payment Certificate but the transfer from the developer to the association will require a Certificate. Third, resale of a condominium will also require a Certificate. A Full Payment Certificate will be issued immediately if the Association’s account reflects no delinquent charges. Condominium units in buildings without established associations and condominium units that are individually billed are treated as single family residences. If you are closing on a condominium make certain you have a current association letter that includes the following information presented at the time of the water certification application: 1) Water account number 2) Unit number 3) owner name 4) verification that the association pays the water bill 5) verification that the bill is current/paid in full. Contact your local Chicago Title Office for more information.