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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Rental or investment property?

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

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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 forceInvestor Tax And Ownership

What happens to tax deductions for a non-compliant short-term rental?

For income earned after 2023, federal tax rules can deny expense and capital-cost-allowance deductions attributable to a non-compliant short-term rental for the period of non-compliance.

Announced
Nov 21, 2023
Effective
Jan 1, 2024
Applies to
Investor
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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 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 forceInvestor Tax And Ownership

Could selling a home within 365 days trigger Canada’s flipped-property rule?

Potentially. For dispositions after 2022, profit on a residential property held for fewer than 365 consecutive days is generally deemed business income unless a legislated life-event exception applies.

Announced
Apr 7, 2022
Effective
Jan 1, 2023
Applies to
Home Buyer · Homeowner
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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 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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In forceMortgage Qualification

What is the current stress test for an uninsured mortgage?

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.

Effective
Jun 1, 2021
Applies to
Home Buyer · Refinancing Homeowner
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In forceRental Cash Flow

Does a unit first occupied after November 15, 2018 have no rental rules?

No. Some units first occupied for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the annual rent-increase guideline, but other Residential Tenancies Act rules can still apply.

Effective
Nov 15, 2018
Applies to
Home Buyer · Investor
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In forceClosing Cost

Does Ontario’s first-time homebuyer refund eliminate land transfer tax?

Not always. Ontario’s first-time-homebuyer land-transfer-tax refund is capped at $4,000. It can eliminate provincial land transfer tax on a lower-priced home, but a buyer owes any amount above the refund.

Announced
Nov 14, 2016
Effective
Jan 1, 2017
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceHousing Tax

Do I still report the sale if my principal-residence gain is fully exempt?

Yes. A principal-residence sale must generally be reported and the property designated on Schedule 3 and Form T2091(IND), even when the exemption is expected to eliminate the gain.

Announced
Oct 3, 2016
Effective
Jan 1, 2016
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.