- Get Your Mortgage Commitment From Centum Financial Services Ltd Partnership #13054
Call Live Support
Call Live Support
More than 750,000 Canadians have taken advantage of mortgage deferrals offered by banks and other lenders this year. Yet many of these programs have ended or will be ending soon, which will leave borrowers on the hook for the deferred payments and new payments.
Some experts predict a “mortgage cliff,” which will find many homeowners in mortgage arrears. That could lead some into the power of sale process.
What is power of sale in Ontario, and what does the process look like? More importantly, if you’re a homeowner in arrears, you want to know how you can stop power of sale and keep your home.
This guide has the answers you’re looking for, as well as advice on how you can avoid or stop power of sale.
“Power of sale” refers to a clause written into most mortgages. It legally gives the mortgage lender the right to sell the property if you fall behind on mortgage payments.
Power of sale is the most common remedy lenders use to recoup the money they loaned when a borrower defaults. Since property has value and can be sold, it’s often a straightforward way for the lender to ensure they get their money.
Power of Sale and Foreclosure might seem to be interchangeable terms as both are associated with borrowers defaulting on their mortgages, but they operate quite differently. Here’s a refined explanation to clarify the difference between the two.
While both processes aim to safeguard the lender’s interests when the borrower defaults, the power of sale is more about control and quick recovery of funds, whereas foreclosure is about acquiring ownership and is generally more protracted and intricate.
Lenders tend to prefer the power of sale because of its efficiency and lower costs. It allows them to recuperate their losses swiftly without having to deal with the liabilities that come with ownership of the property.
Call us today to speak to a licenced mortgage broker.
The power of sale is a provision that enables a mortgage lender to seize a property if the borrower has defaulted on their payments, a fairly common occurrence when mortgage agreements are breached. Here’s a breakdown of the process in more straightforward terms.
When the borrower fails to make their mortgage payments, the lender can activate the default or power of sale clause. This is the lender’s way of trying to regain the lost money due to non-payment of the mortgage.
Once the clause is invoked, the lender sends a demand letter or, typically in Ontario, a “Notice of Sale under Mortgage,” which serves as a formal intimation to the borrower, stating that the mortgage is in default and enumerating the steps to rectify it.
The notice details the amount due, including any missed payments and penalties, and specifies a deadline, usually about 30 days, by which the borrower needs to settle the amounts listed to avoid further legal proceedings. This notice is generally dispatched 15 days post the initial default.
The time provided to settle the listed amounts is known as the redemption period. This is the borrower’s opportunity to reconcile the defaulted mortgage, reinstating it to good standing, thereby halting any further power of sale processes.
Taking immediate and appropriate action upon receiving the notice is crucial. This is the borrower’s window to resolve the discrepancies, prevent the loss of the property, and avoid further complications.
Understanding the Consequences:
If the borrower fails to act within the provided redemption period, the lender gains the right to proceed with selling the property to recuperate their losses. Thus, understanding and addressing the power of sale process promptly is paramount for borrowers to avoid losing their property and to maintain their financial standing.
In simpler terms, the power of sale process is the lender’s method of recovering their money when a borrower defaults on their mortgage payments. It starts with a formal notice, provides a window for resolution, and if unaddressed, can result in the loss of the property to cover the lender’s losses.
If a homeowner can’t pay their mortgage arrears and bring the mortgage back into good standing within the specified redemption period, the lender and their law firm will move to the next step.
The second step in the power of sale process is for the law firm representing the lender to issue a statement of claim.
What is a statement of claim? It’s a lawsuit filed with a local Small Claims Court or the Superior Court of Canada. It asks the courts to determine default and rule in favour of letting the lender take possession of the property.
The statement of claim is a legal document. It also provides notice to anyone else with a stake in the property. You’ll have 20 days to file a statement of defence with the court after the lender files their suit.
Once the redemption period has lapsed, the lender may demand repayment of the mortgage in full to stop power of sale.
The law firm representing the lender can then also issue a writ of possession. This is a legal document that allows them to appoint a sheriff to evict you from your home.
After a local sheriff has issued an eviction notice, you’ll have a certain amount of time to vacate the property. Your home will then be in the lender’s possession.
At this point, the clock is ticking for homeowners who want to stop the power of sale process. You’ll need to act quickly to remedy the situation.
The best advice for how to stop power of sale altogether is to sell your house on your terms. If you’re concerned about being able to make your mortgage payments, then selling will allow you to pay the mortgage off. You can then look for a property that would be more manageable or even consider renting.
If you’re at risk of falling behind on mortgage payments and selling isn’t an option, then talk to your lender. Is it possible for you to get them the money in two payments? Is there a way to make payments more manageable or even defer them a little longer?
If you’ve missed a mortgage payment already, it’s imperative to speak to your lender as soon as possible. Remember that a notice of sale will be issued after just 15 days.
Once the process has started, you’ll have more limited time and more limited options.
Finding yourself amidst a potential power of sale can be overwhelming. Here’s a guide to navigate through the process in Ontario effectively, ideally halting it in its tracks.
To avoid power of sale proceedings, selling your property on favorable terms is a sensible approach. If maintaining mortgage payments seems unsustainable, selling allows you to settle the mortgage, enabling you to explore more affordable properties or even consider leasing.
If selling the property isn’t viable and there’s a looming risk of defaulting on mortgage payments, initiating a dialogue with your lender is crucial. Explore the possibility of fragmenting the overdue amount into manageable payments or negotiate to defer payments, making them more bearable.
If a mortgage payment has already been missed, it is paramount to communicate with the lender immediately, considering that a notice of sale is typically issued just 15 days post-default. Proactive engagement can lead to constructive solutions and prevent the escalation of the situation.
Once you’re in the middle of the process, time becomes of the essence and the options more restrictive. Navigating your choices judiciously and exploring potential remedies can assist in mitigating the consequences of the power of sale.
Reworking Loan Terms: Speak with your lender about possibly altering the terms of your loan to make them more manageable based on your current financial situation.
Seeking Professional Advice: Consult a mortgage advisor or a financial counselor to understand your options better and develop a tailored strategy to address your unique circumstances.
Exploring Financial Assistance: Investigate if there are any grants, aids, or support programs available that can provide temporary financial relief.
Legal Counsel: Seek legal advice to understand your rights and obligations better, and to explore any legal recourse available to delay or stop the power of sale process.
Stopping the power of sale process involves strategic actions, early interventions, open communications with the lender, and exploring all available avenues to find a solution. Whether it is selling the property proactively, negotiating with the lender, or seeking professional advice, each strategy could be a stepping stone towards resolving the situation and retaining ownership of your property.
If you’ve already received a notice of sale under mortgage, then you have a few options. The first is to pay the lender’s demands, as outlined in the demand letter.
Swift action at this point could keep the lender from progressing with the power of sale. Keep in mind that legal and administrative fees will add up as the process moves forward.
These fees will be charged back to the mortgage. That means you’ll be expected to pay them as well. Stopping power of sale as soon as possible is the best way to keep these fees from adding up and making it more difficult to bring your mortgage into good standing.
How can you stop the power of sale? You may want to consider a loan to stop power of sale. If you’ve been in your home for some time, you should have some equity in the property.
You can use home equity to pay mortgage arrears. By doing so, you can bring your mortgage back into good standing and stopping power of sale. This is sometimes known as a second mortgage to stop power of sale.
If you have good credit, you may be able to take out a personal loan. You may also have available credit, such as a line of credit or even a credit card, which can help you stop power of sale.
If these options aren’t available, then you may have savings you could use to bring your mortgage back into good standing.
Once the redemption period is over, you may be afraid you’ll lose your home. There are still steps you can take to stop power of sale.
You may be able to pay your arrears and costs in court. If you were unable to come up with the financing before the redemption period expired, then going to court could bring the mortgage back to good standing.
Some lenders will demand repayment of the mortgage in full, plus any penalties and costs, at this point. A private mortgage to stop power of sale could be the solution. This allows you to pay off the existing mortgage and place the property under a new one.
Your best bet here is often to go to a mortgage broker. They can help you find lenders who are willing to extend the funds you need to cover the mortgage and any added costs.
Bringing the mortgage back into good standing is the best advice for how to avoid eviction.
You can pay arrears until the lender enters into an unconditional agreement of purchase and sale with a new buyer. If that agreement contains a redemption clause, though, you can pay off the mortgage and stop the sale.
It’s best to stop the process as soon as possible. As mentioned, the lender and their law firm will charge any fees associated with the power of sale process back to the mortgage. You’ll be responsible for covering them if you want to pay arrears or pay the mortgage off.
In rare cases, there may be a legal remedy to helping you stop power of sale and avoid eviction.
The lender must wait for the appropriate period to pass before they can progress through the power of sale process. If they take any step too soon, you can argue they acted in haste.
An example might be a lender who issues a demand letter after 10 days instead of 15 days. The lender is acting in haste, trying to start the power of sale process too soon.
Another example would be a lender who issues a statement of claim or a writ of possession before the redemption period is over.
If the lender has acted in haste, then the entire process can be nullified. The lender would then need a court order to continue.
As the homeowner, you also have a right to information. You can request a statement of account and information about the power of sale proceedings. If the lender doesn’t respond within 15 days, the process may be suspended.
If the lender responds to a request for information, but the information they provide is incomplete or incorrect, then the process can also be suspended.
In most cases, lenders will follow the letter of the law to avoid situations like this. It’s always a good idea to have legal representation on your side to make sure the correct process is followed.
If you’re unable to stop power of sale, then the lender will sell your house. They use the proceeds of the sale to cover off whatever was owed on your mortgage.
What if the house sells for more than the remaining value of the mortgage? There are other costs that need to be covered, but any remaining proceeds belong to you.
Typically, there’s very little left over after the power of sale process. That’s because fees are charged back to the mortgage. These include:
If there are any outstanding liens on the property, then those must also be paid.
As you can see, the fees associated with power of sale can add up. If the sale of the house doesn’t cover the mortgage and all the fees, then you’ll be responsible for paying the difference.
As a result, it’s often a better solution to find a private mortgage to stop power of sale. You can stop the process, avoid extra fees, and keep your home.
Avoiding power of sale is going to be on the minds of many homeowners in Ontario in the coming months. If you’re concerned about your ability to pay your mortgage, taking steps now can help you stop power of sale.
If you’re already behind, then it’s time to take action. Get in touch with the experts and learn more about the options you have to stop power of sale and keep your home.
Get the best home equity loan rates from direct equity lenders.
Fast approval and funding to stop power of sale process.
You're approved regardless of your credit score or history.
No income or employment qualifications required.
Stop power of sale using your home equity. Approvals are based on equity.
Use your home equity to stop power of sale process or foreclosure process. Approvals are based on equity, not credit or income.
Get your free stop power of sale mortgage quote
Confirm property value and existing mortgage details.
Stop the power of sale process in just 48 hours.
We take pride in taking the time and effort to match up every individual homeowner and homebuyer with the best mortgage financing options and rates. With access to more than 200 participating mortgage lenders, there are mortgage solutions for all types of borrowers. We listen and understand your mortgage and real estate goals, and find the best mortgage terms tailored to your specific goals to save you thousands of dollars on your new mortgage.
(No Obligation)
