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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Application accuracy or fraud concern?

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

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In forceRental Cash Flow

How much rent deposit can an Ontario landlord collect?

A rent deposit is generally limited to the lesser of one month’s rent and one rental period. It must be used for the last rental period, and the landlord generally owes annual interest at…

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Home Buyer · Investor
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In forceBuyer Protection

How do I verify an Ontario new-home builder before signing?

Search the HCRA Ontario Builder Directory before signing. It can show licensing status, experience, homes built and regulatory history, including project information and certain cancellations.

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Home Buyer · Pre Construction Buyer
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In forceBuyer Protection

Is the pre-delivery inspection form also a Tarion warranty claim?

No. The PDI documents missing, damaged or incomplete items before possession, but Tarion says the PDI form itself is not a warranty claim. Unresolved items may need to be submitted separately through the applicable…

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Home Buyer · Pre Construction Buyer
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In forceBuyer Protection

When can an Ontario new-home buyer claim delayed closing or occupancy compensation?

Tarion may compensate eligible buyers when the builder fails to give required delay notice or misses protected dates. The claim is not automatic, and Tarion says the form generally must be submitted within one…

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Home Buyer · Pre Construction Buyer
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In forceBuyer Protection

Does Tarion guarantee the return of every builder deposit?

No. Tarion deposit protection applies only in specified circumstances and up to applicable limits. It should never be described as unlimited insurance for every deposit, upgrade payment or contract dispute.

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Home Buyer · Pre Construction Buyer
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In forceBuyer Protection

When does Ontario’s 10-day pre-construction condo cooling-off period begin?

The 10-calendar-day period generally begins only after the buyer has received the signed purchase agreement, disclosure statement and Ontario Condo Buyers’ Guide. Signing alone may not be the only date that matters.

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Home Buyer · Pre Construction Buyer
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In forceFINTRAC Compliance

Does keeping cash transactions below $10,000 avoid mortgage scrutiny?

No. FINTRAC’s 24-hour rule can aggregate multiple cash transactions that total $10,000 or more, and suspicious-transaction obligations are not limited to a $10,000 threshold. Deliberately splitting transactions can itself create concern.

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Business Owner · Home Buyer
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In forceLender Policy

Why does a lender question large deposits and transfers in the last 90 days?

Because the lender and mortgage professionals must understand whether the money is genuine business revenue, borrowed money, a transfer between owned accounts or funds from another person. A clean paper trail protects both the…

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Business Owner · Self Employed
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Lender policy guidanceLender Policy

How can an alternative lender use business bank statements to qualify income?

Some alternative/B lenders review roughly six to twelve months of business bank statements, identify recurring gross business deposits and subtract reasonable operating expenses to estimate supportable income. This is a lender method—not an OSFI…

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Business Owner · Self Employed
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In forceInvestor Tax And Ownership

What happens for tax purposes when a principal residence becomes a rental?

Changing all or part of a home from personal use to income-producing use can create a deemed disposition at fair market value. Elections may be available in some cases, but they have conditions and…

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Homeowner · Investor
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In forceConsumer Protection

Should I transfer my home’s title to someone promising to stop the power of sale?

Do not do it without independent legal advice. FCAC warns that foreclosure-rescue fraud can involve persuading a distressed homeowner to transfer title in exchange for a loan, after which the fraudster may resell or…

Last updated
Sep 9, 2026
Applies to
Borrower · Condo Owner
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In forceFamily Assisted Mortgage

Can my family send the down payment from outside Canada?

Overseas family funds may be acceptable, but identity, relationship, transfer history, currency and timing require a clean paper trail.

Effective
Sep 8, 2026
Applies to
Families · First Time Buyers
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In forceFamily Assisted Mortgage

Should family help be documented as a gift or a loan?

Calling a repayable family advance a gift can create underwriting, legal and relationship problems later.

Effective
Sep 8, 2026
Applies to
Families · First Time Buyers
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In forceFamily Assisted Mortgage

Can I borrow my down payment from a line of credit?

Borrowed funds may be possible under selected programs, but the new payment affects qualification and must be fully disclosed.

Effective
Sep 8, 2026
Applies to
Families · First Time Buyers
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In forceFamily Assisted Mortgage

What proof does a lender need for a gifted down payment?

A gift letter is only one part of the review; the lender may also require account history, transfer evidence and confirmation that repayment is not expected.

Effective
Sep 8, 2026
Applies to
Families · First Time Buyers
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In forceMortgage Fraud Application Accuracy

How can I protect myself from a suspicious mortgage operator?

Verify the Ontario licence, brokerage and contact information independently. Read documents before signing, confirm fees and lender identity, keep copies, and refuse requests to lie, alter records, route money through strangers or sign blan

Effective
Sep 8, 2026
Applies to
Home Buyers · Homeowners
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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.

Mortgage rule second opinion

A headline cannot tell you which lender route still works.

Share the change you are concerned about, your timing and the client problem. Rajiv can help separate the confirmed rule from assumptions and identify questions worth exploring across A, alternative/B, MIC or private lending where appropriate.

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