Real Estate Lawyer in Toronto
Smooth, well-reviewed closings for buyers, sellers, and owners across Toronto and the GTA.
30-minute consultation, $150 plus HST, paid when you book.
Real Estate
What a Toronto real estate lawyer handles
Ontario real estate transactions rely on the province's electronic land registration system and are governed by legislation including the Land Titles Act, the Registry Act, and the Planning Act, alongside municipal requirements specific to the City of Toronto. Civitas Law manages the legal side of residential purchases, sales, and refinances, including title searches, mortgage instructions, and closing documentation, so clients can move through their transaction with confidence.
We also assist landlords and tenants with matters touching on the Residential Tenancies Act where a transaction involves an existing tenancy.
Real estate transactions we handle in Toronto
Direct access to your lawyer at every stage, with clear, honest advice about your options.
Residential purchase closings
We handle title searches, mortgage instructions, and closing documents for Toronto home purchases.
Residential sale closings
We prepare and review sale documents, discharge existing mortgages, and manage the closing on the seller's side.
Mortgage refinancing
We act for homeowners refinancing an existing property, including private and institutional lender transactions.
Title insurance and title issues
We review title for encumbrances, easements, or defects and advise on title insurance where appropriate.
Condominium purchases and status certificate review
We review status certificates and condo-specific documents relevant to Toronto's high volume of condo transactions.
Agreement of purchase and sale review
We review or advise on APS terms and conditions before a client commits to a purchase or sale.
Landlord-tenant considerations in a sale
We advise sellers and buyers where a property involves an existing tenancy governed by the Residential Tenancies Act.
How a real estate closing works in Ontario
Most Toronto property is registered under the province's Land Titles system, administered through Teraview and the electronic land registration framework, which requires a lawyer to complete title searches and register transfers and mortgages electronically. The Planning Act restricts how land can be severed or conveyed, and City of Toronto requirements, including the Municipal Land Transfer Tax on top of Ontario's provincial land transfer tax, add local considerations that don't apply elsewhere in the province.
Where a property is tenanted, the Residential Tenancies Act governs what notice and rights a tenant retains through a sale, which can affect closing timelines and possession dates. Ontario also requires specific statutory declarations and adherence to the Law Society of Ontario's rules around trust accounting for real estate closings, which protects both buyers' deposits and sellers' proceeds through the transaction.
Questions Toronto clients ask about real estate
Plain-language answers to the questions we hear most. Every matter is different, so treat these as a starting point.
How much are legal fees for a real estate closing in Toronto?
What is land transfer tax and how much will I pay in Toronto?
When do I need a real estate lawyer in the process?
What does a status certificate review involve for condo purchases?
Can I close a real estate deal remotely?
What happens if there's a problem with title before closing?
What does a real estate lawyer do in Ontario?
Do I need a lawyer to buy a house in Ontario?
What is the difference between a real estate lawyer and a real estate agent?
What does a real estate lawyer do for the seller in a Toronto transaction?
Related real estate services and guides
Straightforward legal advice from a Toronto lawyer.
30-minute consultation, $150 plus HST, paid when you book. Personal injury matters start with a free 10-minute case review with the lawyer. Consultations are confidential.