Property Title Transfer
Cost in Ontario

At Shaikh Law Firm, a standard residential title transfer without additional mortgage work costs $999 + HST: $799 in legal fees plus $200 in fixed office disbursements. The package totals $1,128.87 including HST.

Government registration charges, applicable land transfer tax and any required title insurance are additional. Your written quote confirms the scope and applicable charges and is valid for 30 days.

Our standard transfer with a mortgage package costs $1,799 + HST: $1,100 in legal fees plus $699 in fixed office disbursements. The package totals $2,032.87 including HST and includes the title transfer with mortgage documentatio.

Applicable title insurance, land transfer tax and government registration charges are additional. Additional payouts are $63 + HST each. We confirm the package after reviewing your lender requirements.

A straightforward transfer to add a spouse or remove an owner can qualify for our $999 + HST standard package where no additional mortgage work is required. An existing mortgage does not automatically mean the higher package applies.

The total depends on lender requirements, any payment for the ownership interest and applicable taxes or third-party charges. Any required independent legal advice, separate representation or work outside the agreed scope is additional.

Start by identifying the current owners, who will be added or removed, the share being transferred and any payment involved. Your lawyer reviews title, the proposed ownership arrangement, applicable taxes and any lender requirements, then prepares the documents for signing and registration.

To begin, send us the property address, the current and proposed owners’ names, mortgage details and any agreement governing the transfer. Registration proceeds once the required approvals, signed documents and funds are in place.

Possibly. An existing mortgage may remain in place if the lender permits the ownership change. Our standard package may apply where no additional mortgage work is required; keeping the same lender or interest rate does not necessarily mean no mortgage documents are needed.

Removing a name from title does not, by itself, release that person from mortgage obligations. Any required lender consent and release must be addressed separately. We confirm fees after reviewing the lender’s requirements.

Not necessarily. Certain transfers between spouses or former spouses qualify for an exemption, including qualifying transfers where the only consideration is the assumption of a registered mortgage, or transfers under qualifying separation agreements or court orders.

Marriage alone does not make every transfer exempt. We review the payment arrangements, mortgage and supporting documents before confirming the tax treatment. See Ontario’s guidance on transfers between spouses (opens in a new tab).

The appropriate approach depends on whether you intend a gift, a sale or buyout, or an estate-planning arrangement. Before transferring title, clarify who should own the property, each person’s share, whether money will change hands and what should happen if an owner dies.

We review those intentions alongside mortgage requirements and applicable land transfer tax. Where needed, separate tax or estate-planning advice should be obtained before signing. A family relationship alone does not make a transfer tax-free.

A genuine gift of debt-free property between individuals may result in no Ontario land transfer tax where no money or other consideration is exchanged. There is no blanket exemption simply because the recipient is your child.

Mortgage debt or payment connected with the transfer can change the result. Income tax consequences require separate consideration. See Ontario’s guidance on gifts and nominal consideration (opens in a new tab).

A nominal-price transfer may be possible, but writing $1 in the documents does not make it tax-free. Ontario land transfer tax depends on the actual consideration, including relevant mortgage debt, and any available exemption.

For income tax purposes, a transfer to a child for less than fair market value is generally treated as a disposition at fair market value by the parent. Whether tax is payable depends on the circumstances and available exemptions. Obtain advice before choosing a $1 sale or gift. See CRA guidance on transfers of capital property (opens in a new tab).

Where land transfer tax is payable, the person acquiring the ownership interest is generally responsible for it. The amount depends on the consideration for the transfer and any applicable exemption; it is separate from legal fees and office disbursements.

For property in the City of Toronto, municipal land transfer tax may also apply. We confirm the applicable tax and funds required before registration.

Do not assume that an existing policy automatically covers someone added to title. Coverage depends on the policy wording and the proposed ownership change.

Send us your existing policy, if available. We can review whether insurer confirmation, an endorsement or a new policy is needed, including any lender requirements. Any applicable premium is additional to our quoted legal fee and office package.

The completion date depends on title review, lender requirements, supporting documents and signing arrangements. Send your preferred date with your enquiry so we can assess whether it is achievable.

A $450 + HST rush fee applies where required documents, mortgage instructions, payout statements or material changes are received within seven calendar days of closing, as applicable to your transaction. Your written quote confirms the terms. A rush fee does not guarantee that lender or other third-party requirements can be completed in time.

That depends on the transaction, the parties’ interests, applicable representation rules and any lender requirements. We complete a conflict review and determine whether separate representation or independent legal advice is required.

Any such services are additional to the standard title-transfer package and will be identified when we review your matter.