Convass

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to sell or rent privately in Canada.

Answers to the most common questions about FSBO in Ontario, private rentals, Canadian commission savings, tenant rights, and the Convass platform itself. Updated regularly.

  • Question 01

    How do I sell my home without a realtor in Ontario?

    Selling your home privately in Ontario is fully legal. You will need to: (1) determine a fair list price using comparable sales and a property valuation; (2) prepare the property (photos, basic staging, repairs); (3) list it on a private marketplace like Convass; (4) handle viewings yourself or with a tour service; (5) negotiate offers directly with buyers; (6) hire a real-estate lawyer to draft the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and handle closing. A real-estate lawyer typically charges $1,200–$2,500. Convass is free to list and surfaces your home directly to qualified buyers.

  • Question 02

    Is it legal to sell a house without a realtor in Canada?

    Yes — selling a home without a realtor is legal in every Canadian province. There is no law requiring a licensed realtor to be involved in a residential real-estate transaction. You will, however, need a real-estate lawyer to close the sale (this is required in Ontario, Alberta, BC, and most other provinces). Roughly 8–12% of Canadian home sales currently happen privately (For Sale By Owner / FSBO), and that share has been growing as platforms like Convass make the process easier and the savings more visible.

  • Question 03

    How much can I save by selling without a realtor in Toronto?

    Toronto realtor commissions typically run 4–5% of the sale price, paid by the seller. On a $1,000,000 home, that's $40,000–$50,000 (plus HST). By selling privately on Convass you keep that money. Professional photos, a lawyer, and modest marketing typically cost $2,000–$5,000 total. Use our savings calculator to estimate your potential savings based on your home's value. Convass is free to list — you only pay for services you choose.

  • Question 04

    What documents do I need to sell my home privately in Ontario?

    Required Ontario documents include: (1) your title or deed; (2) a current property tax statement; (3) recent utility bills; (4) the survey if available (your lawyer can order one); (5) condo status certificate if applicable; (6) MPAC property assessment; (7) any home inspection reports; (8) appliance manuals if appliances are included. Your real-estate lawyer drafts the Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS) and handles the title transfer at closing. Convass guides you through what to upload when you create a listing.

  • Question 05

    How do I find a private landlord in Toronto?

    The most direct way to find a private landlord in Toronto is to use a private marketplace where verified owners list their own units. Convass is one such platform — every listing is posted by the owner directly, and owner profiles show verification status, response rate, and reviews from previous tenants. Avoid listings that re-route you to a third-party rental agent or charge application fees — these are almost always commission-driven middlemen, not owners. On Convass, messaging is direct, free, and never shared without your permission.

  • Question 06

    What is FSBO and how does it work in Canada?

    FSBO stands for For Sale By Owner. It means the homeowner sells their property directly to a buyer without engaging a listing realtor. FSBO is legal across Canada. Modern FSBO platforms like Convass provide the listing exposure, messaging tools, and document workflow that used to require a realtor, while leaving the seller in full control of price and negotiations.

  • Question 07

    Do I need a lawyer to sell my home privately?

    Yes — a real-estate lawyer is required for any residential sale in Ontario (and most other Canadian provinces). The lawyer drafts the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, handles the title search, manages closing funds in trust, registers the title transfer at the Land Registry, and pays out any existing mortgage. Real-estate lawyer fees in Ontario typically run $1,200–$2,500. You do not need a realtor; you do need a lawyer.

  • Question 08

    What is the average commission saved by selling without a realtor?

    Toronto realtor commissions typically run 4–5% of the sale price on a GTA home. On a $1,000,000 home, that's $40,000–$50,000 (plus HST). By selling privately you save the full commission. The exact amount depends on your home's value — use our commission calculator to estimate your potential savings. Private sellers typically spend $2,000–$5,000 on professional photos, a lawyer, and modest marketing, so the net savings are substantial regardless of home price.

  • Question 09

    How do I verify a landlord before renting?

    Three signals reliably distinguish a real owner from a scam: (1) the listing platform shows a verified-identity badge — Convass verifies government ID before issuing the badge; (2) the landlord is willing to do an in-person viewing of the unit, or a verified live video tour; (3) the landlord can provide a copy of the title or property tax bill on request before you sign or send a deposit. Never wire money before viewing the unit and signing a written lease. If anything feels wrong, walk away.

  • Question 10

    What are tenant rights in Ontario?

    Ontario tenants are protected by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA). Key rights include: rent increases are capped at the annual guideline (1.5% for 2024, 2.5% for 2025) for most units built before November 2018; landlords cannot evict without an LTB order; the maximum security deposit is the equivalent of one month's rent and must be held as last month's rent only (no damage deposits); your landlord must give 24 hours' written notice before entering the unit (except in emergencies). The Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hears disputes. Free legal advice is available from community legal clinics and Steps to Justice.

Keep exploring

Useful next steps on Convass