Published 18 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
On closing day your lawyer registers the transfer and the money moves between lawyers. There is no set hour: keys are usually released mid-afternoon or later, once registration and funds are confirmed. You sign your documents and send certified funds a day or more beforehand.
Closing day is the day title transfers and the money moves. Most of it happens between lawyers, not between you and the other side, which is why it can feel strangely quiet until the keys appear.
The week before
- Sign with your lawyer. You review and sign the transfer, mortgage documents and statement of adjustments a few days early.
- Send your closing funds. Your lawyer needs certified funds for the balance, land transfer tax and legal costs, usually a day or more before closing.
- Arrange insurance. Your lender needs proof of home insurance effective on closing day.
- Book the elevator. In a condo, reserve the moving elevator with the property manager as early as you can.
What the statement of adjustments does
It settles anything the seller prepaid or owes, so the final amount you wire is not simply the purchase price minus your deposit. Common adjustments are property taxes, condo fees, utilities and, on a new build, development levies and other builder charges.
On the day itself
- Your final visit. Most agreements let you view the property one more time before closing. Do it, and do it before you send anyone to move.
- Lawyers register. The buyer’s lawyer confirms the mortgage advance, then registers the transfer and mortgage electronically through Ontario’s land registration system.
- Funds move. Money goes to the seller’s lawyer, who pays out the seller’s mortgage and other charges.
- Keys are released. Once registration and funds are confirmed, the seller’s side releases the keys, often through the listing brokerage.
There is no fixed hour. Registration usually happens through the business day and keys often come mid-afternoon or later. Do not book movers for 9 a.m. and expect to be inside.
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What sellers do
- Leave the property empty, swept and in the condition the agreement requires.
- Leave every key, fob, remote and mailbox key for the brokerage or lawyer.
- Take final meter readings and cancel or transfer utilities.
- Leave manuals and warranties for anything staying with the home.
If the deal is late
Delays happen, most often because a lender advances funds late or a discharge is slow. The parties can agree to close the next day, or an escrow closing can be used so keys can be released while a last item is finished. If one side simply can’t close, that is a legal problem: talk to your lawyer immediately, not to the other agent.
After closing
- Change the locks.
- Put the property tax bill and utilities in your name.
- Keep the reporting letter from your lawyer with your title insurance policy.
The takeaway
Sign early, send funds early, book movers for the afternoon, and use your pre-closing visit before anyone loads a truck.
Talk it through with me
Get a first-time buyer plan
Tell me your savings, income range and target area. I will send a realistic price range and next steps.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Frequently asked questions
What time do you get the keys on closing day in Ontario?
There is no set time. Keys are released once the transfer registers and funds are confirmed, which is often mid-afternoon or later.
Do I need to be there on closing day?
No. You sign with your lawyer beforehand, and the transfer happens between lawyers.
When do I send my closing funds?
Usually at least a day before closing, in certified funds, to your lawyer’s trust account.
What happens if the buyer can’t close on time?
The parties may agree to a short extension, or the seller may have legal remedies. Get advice from your lawyer the same day.
Sources
- Ontario — land transfer tax — tax payable on registration
- Real Estate Council of Ontario — consumer information — the Ontario buying and selling process
Related reading
- Rent-to-Own in Ontario: How It Works, Real Costs and the Risks
- Escalation Clauses in Ontario Offers: How They Work and the Risks
- Closing Costs When Buying a Home in Toronto: The Full List
- What a Real Estate Lawyer Actually Does in Ontario
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA, with deep local knowledge of the west end. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every market figure here comes from TRREB’s published tables and every rule from RECO or Ontario legislation, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at connect@jatindua.com or 833-330-1925, or book a call.