Home Ownership

Home ownership can be complicated.  You may have a mortgage, you may co-own your home with someone, or you may share your home with others or rent part of your home to others who may have rights to your home.

Usually, you can continue to own your home as long as your mortgage, if you have a mortgage, is paid.  You should also protect your home by paying any other bills such as taxes, heat, hydro, maintenance, insurance, etc.  If you are away, you should either forward your mail or have someone checking your mail in case you receive any important notices.

Real Estate law is the area of law that relates to home ownership, mortgages, etc.  Real Estate law is generally handled by private lawyers on a fee-for-service basis.

Getting legal help

The Law Society Referral Service (LSRS) of the Law Society of  Ontario is an on-line service that provides a referral to a lawyer or paralegal for an in-person or phone consultation of up to 30 minutes at no charge: https://lsrs.lso.ca/lsrs/welcome. The LSRS crisis telephone for people in custody, in crisis, in a shelter or in a remote community without internet access is 416-947-5255 or toll-free 1-855-947-5255, Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. For more information please see the Law Society Referral Service information on the Law Society of Ontario website: https://lsrs.lso.ca/lsrs/welcome.  The Law Society of  Ontario was formerly the Law Society of Upper Canada.