Real Estate Lawyer Fees in Ontario: What You Pay and What Is Included
Real estate lawyer fees in Ontario usually have two parts: a legal fee for the lawyer’s work, and disbursements, which are costs your lawyer pays to third parties on your behalf, such as title insurance and registration charges. HST applies to the legal fee. Land transfer tax is a government tax and is separate from both.
As one example, our closing costs guide budgets about $2,200 for legal fees and disbursements together on a $900,000 Toronto purchase. That is a planning example, not a quote. We give you a written flat-fee quote before you sign a retainer.
How Real Estate Lawyers Charge in Ontario
Flat fee
Hourly
What a Flat Fee Covers
When you buy
- Reviewing your Agreement of Purchase and Sale and its conditions
- Searching title and arranging title insurance
- Reviewing your status certificate if you are buying a condo
- Reviewing your lender’s mortgage instructions and registering your mortgage
- Calculating land transfer tax and claiming any first-time buyer rebates
- Preparing your statement of adjustments
- Registering the transfer and handling your closing funds
When you sell
- Reviewing the Agreement of Purchase and Sale
- Arranging the discharge of your existing mortgage
- Preparing the closing documents and statement of adjustments
- Dealing with the buyer’s lawyer
- Releasing your sale proceeds after closing
Costs That Are Charged Separately
Disbursements
HST
Land transfer tax
A tax paid to the province, and to the City if the home is in Toronto. It is not a lawyer’s fee. See how to calculate closing costs.
Other closing costs
What Changes the Price
Condo or house
Mortgage or no mortgage
Pre-construction
Assignments
Title problems
Refinancing, private lending, family transfers
Find your service
Questions to Ask Any Lawyer Before You Hire
Is your fee a flat fee, and what does it include?
What disbursements should I expect, and can I see them listed?
Is HST included in the quote?
What happens to the fee if the deal does not close?
Who will actually work on my file, and can I speak to that person directly?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are real estate lawyer fees in Ontario?
It depends on the type of transaction, but most residential closings are priced as a flat fee plus disbursements and HST. Our example budget for a $900,000 purchase is about $2,200 for fees and disbursements together. Ask for a written quote for your own file.
Do I have to pay a lawyer to buy a house in Ontario?
In practice, yes. Your lender will require a lawyer to register your mortgage, and the transfer of title is registered electronically by a lawyer. Your lawyer also protects you by searching title and reviewing your contract.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. We offer a free legal consultation, and you can ask about fees before you decide.
When do I pay my lawyer?
Fees and disbursements are normally settled as part of your closing, and they appear on the statement your lawyer gives you. Your retainer sets out the details.
Legal Information, Not Legal Advice. This page gives general information about legal fees for Ontario real estate transactions. Fees depend on the transaction and are confirmed in writing in your retainer.