When ownership changes on a property with a history of having a suite, a letter is sent to the new owner requesting confirmation of whether they intend to utilize the suite or not. If no response is received by the deadline indicated in the letter, secondary suite charges will be started automatically.
If you are being billed for a suite, your user rates bill will show charge lines indicating 2 or more units of sewer (if applicable) and garbage instead of 1 unit.