Conveyancing Cost in Toronto (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedIn Toronto, conveyancing for a standard residential purchase or sale is commonly estimated at about CAD 900 to CAD 2,500 in legal fees, before disbursements and taxes. On top of the lawyer’s fee, buyers should usually budget for title insurance, land registration charges and Ontario land transfer tax; in Toronto, many buyers also face the municipal land transfer tax. Exact totals vary a lot with property price, mortgage complexity and whether the matter is a purchase, sale or refinance.
Overview
Conveyancing in Toronto usually means the legal work completed by a real-estate lawyer or licensed legal professional handling a home purchase, sale or mortgage refinance. Unlike some jurisdictions where conveyancers are regulated as a separate profession, Ontario residential conveyancing is typically carried out by lawyers licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. The total cost is normally made up of the lawyer’s professional fee, HST, disbursements such as registrations and bank wires, title insurance, and any government taxes tied to the transaction. For Toronto property transactions, the biggest non-legal cost is often land transfer tax rather than the lawyer’s bill. Ontario charges provincial land transfer tax, and the City of Toronto charges its own municipal land transfer tax on most purchases in the city. Those taxes are based on the purchase price and can far exceed the legal fee itself. Registration charges are set by the province, while title insurance premiums vary by insurer and transaction details. Because legal pricing is not centrally published in a single official tariff, exact all-in conveyancing prices are best treated as market estimates unless taken directly from a specific provider. Still, official Ontario and Toronto sources do clearly document the tax and registration components, which are essential when estimating the real cost of conveyancing in Toronto.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Residential conveyancing legal fee in Toronto(per transaction) Estimated range based on typical market rates for Toronto-area residential real-estate lawyers for straightforward purchase, sale or refinance files, excluding taxes and disbursements. | ~C$900 – C$2,500 | Estimated range |
| Electronic land registration fee in Ontario(per registration) Ontario publishes a fee of $86.81 for electronic registration of documents in the land registration system. | ~C$86.81 – C$86.81 | Estimated range |
| Ontario land transfer tax on a CAD 1,000,000 purchase(per purchase) Calculated using Ontario's published residential land transfer tax brackets. | ~C$16,475 – C$16,475 | Estimated range |
| Toronto municipal land transfer tax on a CAD 1,000,000 purchase(per purchase) Calculated using the City of Toronto's published MLTT residential rates for a $1,000,000 purchase. | C$16,475 – C$16,475 | Verified from source |
| Residential title insurance in Toronto(per policy) Estimated range based on common Canadian residential title-insurance premiums for standard owner/lender policies; actual premiums vary with insurer, purchase price and transaction type. | ~C$250 – C$600 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Review of agreement of purchase and sale
- Title search and registration work
- Mortgage reporting and lender documentation
- Statement of adjustments and closing funds handling
- Registration of transfer and charge/discharge where applicable
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: Law Society of Ontario
Variants & Configurations
Duration
A standard residential conveyance typically runs from accepted offer to closing date, often a few weeks to a few months depending on the transaction timeline.
How Fees Work
Usually a fixed legal fee plus HST and disbursements, with separate government charges such as land registration fees and land transfer taxes.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether the matter is a purchase, sale or refinance
- Property price, because land transfer tax and some insurance costs scale with value
- Whether there is a mortgage, private financing, or multiple registrations
- Complexity of title issues, status certificates, powers of attorney or non-resident matters
- Extra disbursements such as wire fees, courier costs, searches and execution certificates
Local Context
In Toronto, the legal fee for conveyancing is often only a small part of the total amount due on closing. Buyers should pay particular attention to Ontario land transfer tax and the additional Toronto municipal land transfer tax, both of which can be substantial. HST generally applies to legal fees and many disbursements. Tipping is not customary for conveyancing legal services.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in Canadian dollars; HST may apply on top of legal fees and some disbursements.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- City of Toronto - Municipal Land Transfer Tax · official
Toronto MLTT rates and rebate information for eligible first-time home buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in conveyancing costs in Toronto?+
Usually the lawyer’s fee, HST, disbursements, title insurance and government registration charges. If you are buying, you may also owe Ontario land transfer tax and, within Toronto, municipal land transfer tax.
Is conveyancing more expensive for buyers or sellers?+
Buyers usually pay more overall because purchases involve title searches, registrations, lender requirements and land transfer taxes. Sellers often still pay legal fees, but they do not usually pay land transfer tax.
Do Toronto buyers pay two land transfer taxes?+
Often yes. A buyer in Toronto typically pays Ontario land transfer tax and Toronto municipal land transfer tax, unless an exemption or rebate applies.
Are first-time buyer rebates available?+
Ontario and Toronto both offer first-time home buyer land transfer tax rebates, subject to eligibility rules. These rebates reduce the tax part of closing costs, not the lawyer’s own fee.
Does title insurance replace a lawyer?+
No. Title insurance is a separate product that covers certain title-related risks, while the lawyer handles the conveyancing process, advice, registration and closing.
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