Your Home Buying Next Steps
Canadian Home Buyer Checklist · Post-Offer Through Move-In
Congratulations on your accepted offer — this is a big milestone! To make sure nothing falls through the cracks between now and closing day, I've put together this checklist of every action you'll need to take. Work through each section in order and tick items off as you go.
Don't hesitate to reach out if any questions come up along the way. I'm here for the whole journey.
Set up a folder and keep a paper copy in your records.
Legal & Documentation
Lawyer to review Status Certificate (condo)
Must be done within your condition period. Covers finances, reserve fund, bylaws, and any special assessments.
Store Status Certificate on file — update copy annually
Keep in your home documents folder. Request a fresh copy each year (~$100 from condo corp).
Review title insurance policy
Arranged by your lawyer. Protects against title fraud and survey errors.
Review Tenant Agreement if unit is currently tenanted
Ontario tenants have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act. Confirm possession terms with your lawyer.
Collect all warranties (appliances, HVAC, roof)
Insurance
Set up Home / Condo Insurance before closing
Your lender requires proof of insurance on or before closing. For condos: unit owner policy (contents + betterments + liability).
Add your lender as Loss Payee on the policy
Provide proof of insurance to your lawyer before closing day.
Confirm what the condo corp's master policy covers
The corp covers the building structure. Your policy covers unit improvements, contents, and liability.
Utilities & Services
Seller's Realtor / Seller's Lawyer to provide
Hydro (Electricity) — transfer or open account
Call your local utility ~2 weeks before closing (e.g. Halton Hills Hydro, Toronto Hydro).
Natural Gas — Enbridge Gas · 1-877-362-7434
Transfer account to your name as of closing date.
Water — confirm if included in condo fees or separate
Most condo corporations include water. Verify in your Status Certificate.
Water Heater rental — confirm provider (Reliance / Enercare)
Rental contracts transfer with the unit. Review monthly cost and buyout option.
Condo: Set up pre-authorized debit for monthly condo fees
Your lawyer arranges the PAD agreement on closing. Confirm monthly amount in Status Certificate.
Property Taxes
You must contact the municipality office
Set up monthly pre-authorized property tax payments — much easier than paying lump-sum bills 2–3× a year.
Register with your municipality's tax billing portal
Milton: milton.ca · Mississauga: mississauga.ca · Toronto: toronto.ca/taxes
Set up monthly pre-authorized property tax payments
Claim CRA Home Buyers' Amount — $10,000 on your next tax return
Up to $1,500 in federal tax relief. Schedule 1, Line 31270. First-time buyers only.
Address & Mail Changes
You must contact these entities
CRA — update via My Account (canada.ca/my-cra-account)
Critical — affects tax refunds, Canada Child Benefit, and GST/HST credit payments.
Employer / HR — update payroll records
Banks, credit cards, investment accounts (RRSP, TFSA, FHSA)
Canada Post Mail Forwarding — canadapost.ca (~$60–$100)
Redirect mail from old address for 4–12 months while you update all senders.
Service Ontario — driver's licence and health card
Update within 6 days of moving (Ontario law). serviceontario.ca or in person.
Insurance providers, Elections Canada, vehicle registration
Condo Unit — Specific Steps
Complete all condo-specific steps within the first 30 days of possession.
Obtain all key fobs, parking fob, mailbox key, locker key at closing
Change the lock on your unit door
Previous owners or tenants may have copies. Cost: $100–$200 locksmith.
Register with condo management company as new owner
Contact info is in the Status Certificate package.
Set up condo maintenance account — PAD agreement (lawyer handles on closing)
Book elevator for move-in day — advance booking required
Review condo declaration, bylaws, and rules
Know the pet policy, rental restrictions, noise bylaws, and renovation approval process.
Confirm parking space # and locker # match your title
Property site visit (after conditions waived) — photos & measurements
Measure rooms to order furniture in advance. Timestamped photos also protect you at possession.
Key Contacts — Keep on File
Questions about your mortgage or closing costs?
I'm always a call or email away. Congratulations again — you're almost there.