Canada & Ontario mortgage rule watch

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

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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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In forceLender Policy

Can I take the down payment directly from my corporation?

Possibly, but moving corporate money into a personal home purchase can create tax, shareholder-loan, documentation and lender-source-of-funds issues. The withdrawal should be planned with an accountant before the offer becomes firm.

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

What if my T1, Notice of Assessment and business deposits do not match?

A difference is not automatically a decline, but it must make sense. The Notice of Assessment summarizes CRA’s assessment, while bank deposits show cash movement; neither explains the complete business without reconciliation.

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

Can an incorporated borrower use company revenue or retained earnings to qualify?

Sometimes, but company revenue and retained earnings are not automatically the shareholder’s personal income. Certain lenders may analyze salary, dividends, ownership, corporate cash flow and eligible add-backs to determine what income is sustainable and…

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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Lender policy guidanceLender Policy

Can every business expense be added back for mortgage qualification?

No. Some programs may add back eligible non-cash, one-time or policy-approved expenses, but ordinary costs required to keep the business operating normally cannot simply be ignored.

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Business Owner · Self Employed
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In forceLender Policy

Does CMHC automatically increase self-employed income by 15%?

No. CMHC says income for a sole proprietorship or partnership may be grossed up by 15% or assessed through eligible add-backs. “May” is not an automatic increase, and it is not a rule for…

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

Is a two-year self-employed history a legal requirement for every mortgage?

No. There is no universal law saying every self-employed borrower must operate for exactly two years. Two years is a common lender or insurer evidence standard, but exceptions and different programs can exist.

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

Is my taxable income the same as my mortgage qualifying income?

Not necessarily. Your tax return reports income under tax rules; a mortgage lender separately decides what stable, supportable income it will use to assess repayment. The two numbers may be related without being identical.

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Business Owner · Self Employed
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Lender policy guidanceInvestor Tax And Ownership

How can A, alternative/B, MIC and private lenders view rental income differently?

Rental income is not handled by one universal percentage. Many A lenders use conservative add-back or offset worksheets; alternative/B lenders may recognize more rental cash flow; MIC and private decisions can place more weight…

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

How can CMHC treat rent on a non-owner-occupied two-to-four-unit property?

For an eligible insured two-to-four-unit non-owner-occupied property, CMHC describes gross-rent and net-rental-income approaches. The result depends on the method, expenses and the complete application—not rent alone.

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
Investor
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In forceInvestor Tax And Ownership

Can CMHC use up to 100% of suite rent on an owner-occupied two-unit home?

Potentially. Under CMHC’s insured-mortgage approach, up to 100% of gross rental income may be considered for an owner-occupied two-unit property, subject to the insurer’s and lender’s full requirements.

Last updated
Sep 11, 2026
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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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.