Land transfer tax
Ontario charges a provincial land transfer tax on every property purchase, calculated on a marginal bracket system that rises with purchase price. If you're buying within the City of Toronto specifically, you'll also pay a separate municipal land transfer tax — Toronto is the only city in Canada with one.
First-time buyers can receive a rebate on the provincial tax, and a separate rebate on Toronto's municipal tax if buying within the city — together, these can significantly offset or fully eliminate the tax on a typical first purchase. Use our land transfer tax calculator to see your exact numbers, including both rebates.
Who handles your closing
In Ontario, real estate closings are handled by lawyers, not notaries. Your lawyer registers the property transfer, handles the exchange of funds, and reviews your mortgage documents.
Ontario's mortgage brokers and agents are regulated by FSRA (the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario), which licenses brokers and sets conduct standards.
Buying new construction
New homes and condos in Ontario are covered by the Tarion warranty program, which protects buyers against defects in workmanship, materials, and major structural issues for a period after closing — worth understanding the specifics of before buying pre-construction.
Non-resident buyers
Ontario levies an additional tax on certain non-resident/foreign buyers on top of the standard land transfer tax. Rates and eligibility rules for this have changed more than once in recent years — if this applies to your purchase, confirm the current rate directly with a real estate lawyer rather than relying on a general figure, since it's the kind of detail that shifts with policy changes.