Ontario Mortgage Decision Centre
Choose the concern closest to yours. The useful answer may depend on the documents, property, timing and lender policy—not simply whether one lender said yes or no.
Find the answer from your problem
Separate the real lender concern from assumptions.
Income · credit · debt ratios · property · down paymentShow me where to start →02Show how the business earns before choosing a lender route.
A lending · bank statements · financials · T1 approachShow me where to start →03Understand the bureau, timing and cause—not only the score.
Equifax · TransUnion · utilization · collections · recoveryShow me where to start →04Compare the complete decision before signing early.
Rate · payment · penalty · switching cost · flexibilityShow me where to start →05Match the purpose, cost and exit plan to the right structure.
Debt consolidation · renovations · investment · CRA debtShow me where to start →06Test the rental calculation and portfolio effect by lender route.
Subject rent · existing rentals · cash flow · reservesShow me where to start →07Work backward from the deadline and available equity.
Appraisal · funds to close · job change · urgent alternativesShow me where to start →How the answer is built
Buying, selling or investing?
Property type, legal use, insurance, appraisal, taxes, condo information and closing dates can change the mortgage answer. Connect both sides before the transaction becomes difficult to reverse.
Need a focused review?
Tell Rajiv what you are trying to accomplish and what the lender has already said. He can help identify the questions and responsible options worth exploring next.
Published mortgage guidance
Use the guided situations above or search every published answer, concept and strategy.
Rule
CMHC expanded mortgage-insurance options for eligible prefabricated, modular and manufactured homes in May 2026, but the property, land, construction contract and lender still have to fit the program.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →Rule
Ontario’s NRST is generally a 25% tax on certain residential-property acquisitions by foreign nationals, foreign corporations and taxable trustees. Citizenship, permanent-resident status, ownership structure and exemptions must be checked before the offer becomes firm.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →Rule
A federally regulated financial institution must provide its mortgage renewal statement at least 21 days before the end of the existing term—but waiting for that letter can leave too little time to compare properly.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →Rule
Contact the lender before missing payments and ask for a documented assessment of relief measures. Available options depend on the lender, mortgage and hardship; no single measure is guaranteed.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →Rule
A federal insured-refinancing framework may allow an eligible homeowner to finance construction of legal secondary suites, potentially up to 90% of the improved property value and up to a 30-year amortization.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →Rule
No. OSFI does not impose one universal borrower-qualification formula requiring every lender to use exactly 50% of rent. Federally regulated lenders must underwrite rental income prudently, but their policies and calculations can differ.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →Rule
No. The OSFI loan-to-income measure is a lender-level portfolio limit on the share of new uninsured mortgages above 4.5 times income—not a universal borrower-level approval ceiling.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →Rule
For uninsured mortgages at federally regulated lenders, the prescribed qualifying rate remains the greater of the contract rate plus 2% or 5.25%, subject to the straight-switch renewal exception.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →Rule
A qualifying-rate exemption may apply to a true uninsured straight switch at renewal, but it is not a promise that every lender must accept the mortgage without reviewing the file.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →Strategy
Contact the lawyer, Realtor and Rajiv immediately. Identify whether the delay is administrative, documentary, lender-related or a genuine financing failure before discussing an extension, bridge arrangement or emergency lender.
Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 6, 2026
Read the practical answer →