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Home buyer rights

Where are you in buying a home? Start here.

Pick your stage and see the deadline that matters, what to do first, and the law that protects you.

✓ Federal & provincial law✓ 100% free✓ No account✓ Legal information, not advice

Just starting / saving

Income Tax Act (FHSA s. 146.6; HBP s. 146.01)

Tax-sheltered savings can add thousands to your down payment

The deadline that matters

$40k
FHSA lifetime limit
A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) lets eligible first-time buyers contribute up to $8,000/year ($40,000 lifetime) with tax-deductible contributions and tax-free withdrawals for a qualifying home. The RRSP Home Buyers' Plan allows a separate withdrawal, repayable over 15 years.

Do this first

  1. 1
    Open an FHSA early
    Contribution room starts once the account is open, so opening it begins the clock even before you contribute.
  2. 2
    Get a real pre-approval
    A rate hold and a documented budget tell you what conditions you can realistically offer.
  3. 3
    Budget closing costs
    Land transfer tax, legal fees, title insurance and adjustments are typically 1.5–4% on top of price.

The law that protects you

Income Tax Act (FHSA s. 146.6; HBP s. 146.01)

"A qualifying withdrawal…may be made from a first home savings account…where the individual is a first-time home buyer…"

ITA s.146.6HBP s.146.01
Read the full guide →

Legal information, not legal advice. Real-estate and new-home-warranty rules vary by province; confirm against the current statute or a licensed professional.

🛡️ You have rights as a buyer

Protections at every stage of buying

Saving up
Tax-sheltered help exists
FHSA / HBP

First-time buyers can use an FHSA and the RRSP Home Buyers' Plan to build a down payment with real tax advantages.

Under contract
Conditions protect you
APS terms

Financing and inspection conditions give you defined exit points — as long as you respect their deadlines.

Buying new
A statutory warranty applies
New-home warranty

New builds carry 1/2/7-year coverage through a provincial program, with forms and deadlines that secure it.

When it goes wrong
You have a route
Regulator / courts

Realtor regulators, warranty programs, and the courts each offer a way to challenge conduct or recover losses.

Browse by topic

First-time buyer basicsOffers & conditionsHome inspectionClosing & costsNew-home warrantyDefects after closingMortgages & financingDisputes & complaints

Tools

Closing cost calculator

Estimate land transfer tax, legal fees & adjustments

Affordability & FHSA

See what you can save and borrow

Buyer's checklist

Track every condition and closing date

Which rules apply?

Province & new-build vs resale

Not sure what applies at your stage?
Ask about your situation and get an answer grounded in Canadian real-estate law, with its sources shown.
Ask about your situation

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