Canada & Ontario mortgage rule watch

What changed—and what does it mean for your mortgage?

See verified rules, programs and important dates without confusing a regulator’s role with an individual lender’s approval policy.

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Dedicated client journeyFirst-Time Home Buyer RulesQualification, down payment, FHSA/HBP, rebates, new construction, offers and closing.Open the first-home pathway →

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219 published items match this view. We prioritize the effective date, then the announcement or last-update date.

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In forceFINTRAC Compliance

Why does the mortgage application ask about my occupation or business?

FINTRAC recordkeeping rules require mortgage-sector information records to include a person’s occupation or a sole proprietor’s principal business, and entity records must include the nature of the entity’s business.

Announced
Oct 11, 2024
Effective
Oct 11, 2024
Applies to
Business Owner · Home Buyer
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In forceMortgage Qualification

Does choosing a 30-year insured amortization cost more than 25 years?

Usually yes. The longer amortization can reduce the required payment, but CMHC applies a 20-basis-point insurance-premium surcharge to eligible 30-year insured mortgages, and slower principal repayment can increase total interest.

Announced
Jul 10, 2024
Effective
Aug 1, 2024
Applies to
First Time Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

Is the Home Buyers’ Plan $60,000 of free down-payment money?

No. The current HBP limit is $60,000 per eligible participant, but the money comes from the participant’s RRSP and generally must be repaid over a 15-year period.

Announced
Apr 11, 2024
Effective
Apr 17, 2024
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceInvestor Tax And Ownership

Is Canada’s federal foreign-homebuyer ban still in effect?

Yes. The federal prohibition on purchases of residential property by non-Canadians was extended and is scheduled to remain in force until January 1, 2027, subject to the Act, regulations and exceptions.

Announced
Feb 4, 2024
Effective
Feb 4, 2024
Expiry
Jan 1, 2027
Applies to
Home Buyer · Investor
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In forceMortgage Qualification

Can a lender extend my amortization to reduce payments during hardship?

A federally regulated lender may consider extending amortization as a relief measure, but FCAC expects the extension to be for the shortest period appropriate and accompanied by a plan to restore the amortization when…

Announced
Jul 5, 2023
Effective
Jul 5, 2023
Applies to
Homeowner · Renewing Homeowner
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In forceDown Payment

Can I open an FHSA if my spouse already owns the home we live in?

Often no. When opening an FHSA, living in a qualifying home owned or jointly owned by your spouse or common-law partner during the current year or previous four calendar years can prevent first-time-buyer status.

Effective
Apr 1, 2023
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

When is an FHSA withdrawal actually tax-free for a home purchase?

The withdrawal must meet CRA’s qualifying-withdrawal conditions, including first-time-buyer status at the required time, a written agreement for a qualifying home, Canadian residency, acquisition timing and an intention to occupy the home as a…

Effective
Apr 1, 2023
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

Can I use an FHSA and the Home Buyers’ Plan for the same home?

Yes. You may make a qualifying FHSA withdrawal and an eligible Home Buyers’ Plan withdrawal for the same home if you satisfy each program’s conditions at the time of each withdrawal.

Effective
Apr 1, 2023
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

What happens if I overcontribute to my FHSA?

An excess FHSA amount can generally attract a 1% tax per month on the highest excess amount for that month until the excess is eliminated.

Effective
Apr 1, 2023
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

How much can I contribute to an FHSA—and how much carries forward?

The general FHSA limit is $8,000 of new participation room per year and $40,000 over a lifetime. Unused room can carry forward, but the carryforward is generally capped at $8,000.

Effective
Apr 1, 2023
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

Does FHSA contribution room build before I open the account?

No. FHSA participation room starts only when you open your first FHSA. Waiting does not quietly accumulate room in the background the way many buyers expect.

Effective
Apr 1, 2023
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

How should a first-time buyer use the FHSA without creating a closing problem?

An FHSA can combine a tax deduction for eligible contributions with a tax-free qualifying withdrawal. The first year’s participation room is $8,000 and the general lifetime limit is $40,000, but the account, contribution room,…

Effective
Apr 1, 2023
Applies to
First Time Buyer
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In forceHousing Tax

Does the Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit pay $50,000?

No. Up to $50,000 is the qualifying-expenditure ceiling for an eligible renovation—not the cheque amount. The refundable credit is a percentage of eligible costs and the rate can depend on the tax year.

Announced
Apr 7, 2022
Effective
Jan 1, 2023
Applies to
Homeowner · Investor
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In forceClosing Cost

Is an Ontario Non-Resident Speculation Tax exemption or rebate automatic?

No. Ontario NRST exemptions and rebates have specific purchaser, spouse, immigration, occupancy, registration, documentation and deadline conditions. Expecting future status does not by itself remove tax at closing.

Effective
Oct 25, 2022
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceOntario Benefits

When can Ontario’s 25% Non-Resident Speculation Tax affect a home purchase?

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.

Announced
Oct 24, 2022
Effective
Oct 25, 2022
Applies to
Home Buyer · Newcomer
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In forceBuyer Protection

Is GST/HST charged when a new-construction purchase agreement is assigned?

Generally, yes. CRA says all assignment sales of newly constructed or substantially renovated residential housing are taxable for GST/HST purposes when the agreement is entered into after May 6, 2022.

Announced
Apr 7, 2022
Effective
May 7, 2022
Applies to
Home Buyer · Pre Construction Buyer
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In forceHousing Tax

Can a missed Toronto Vacant Home Tax declaration become the buyer’s problem?

Yes. Toronto says an undeclared property can be deemed vacant, the tax forms a lien on the property and a purchaser can become responsible. Buyers and sellers should address the declaration and tax status…

Effective
Jan 1, 2022
Applies to
Homeowner · Investor
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How to read this centre

Rules, insurer requirements and lender policies are different layers.

01

Government or regulator

Sets laws, program requirements or prudential boundaries. FSRA regulates; it does not write every lender’s underwriting policy.

02

Insurer or program

Applies only when the mortgage or client fits that insured product or program. It should not be generalized to every conventional deal.

03

Individual lender

Decides its own acceptable income, property, credit and exception policy inside the applicable rules.

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Review What This Rule Means for MeRajiv Verma, Mortgage BrokerOntario · No automatic approval or lender outcome is implied.