Reviewed September 11, 2026. Obtain the correct current editions from your brokerage’s OREA forms library. Rental guidance: LTB and OHRC.
Tenant document planning
Documents depend on the property, agreement, representation model and transaction. This is not an exhaustive compliance checklist.
RECO Information Guide
Explains representation, agreements and consumer protections.
When: At the start of working with a real estate agent.
Ask your agent to explain the guide and your relationship before agreeing to services.
Brokerage representation agreement
Sets the relationship, services, duration, scope and payment terms.
When: When agreeing to representation and services.
Read the fee, expiry, holdover and termination terms; use the current document appropriate to your representation model.
Rental application
Records relevant applicant information and any permission to check supporting information.
When: When applying for or assessing a rental.
Do not impose a universal SIN or immigration-document requirement. Apply lawful, consistent screening.
Agreement to Lease
Records an offer for a tenancy, including dates, rent, conditions and inclusions.
When: When proposing rental terms.
Acceptance can create binding obligations; it is not merely an informal reservation.
Ontario standard lease
The provincial tenancy agreement includes rights, responsibilities and key terms.
When: For most Ontario private residential tenancies.
Check whether the tenancy is covered. Additional terms cannot override statutory protections.
Condition notices, amendments and releases
Different documents have different effects on contractual rights and obligations.
When: When dealing with a condition, changing terms or seeking a release.
Waiver, fulfilment, amendment and mutual release are not interchangeable. Get advice before signing or letting a deadline pass.
Closing or move-in records
May include lawyer instructions, insurance, adjustments, receipts and key inventory.
When: Before funds, possession or keys change hands.
Verify payment instructions independently through a trusted contact before transferring funds.
Review checklist
Buyer document planning
Documents depend on the property, agreement, representation model and transaction. This is not an exhaustive compliance checklist.
RECO Information Guide
Explains representation, agreements and consumer protections.
When: At the start of working with a real estate agent.
Ask your agent to explain the guide and your relationship before agreeing to services.
Brokerage representation agreement
Sets the relationship, services, duration, scope and payment terms.
When: When agreeing to representation and services.
Read the fee, expiry, holdover and termination terms; use the current document appropriate to your representation model.
Agreement of Purchase and Sale
Records the property, price, deposit, closing date, conditions and agreed terms.
When: When making or responding to a purchase offer.
Accepted offers can bind you. Conditions, deadlines and notice requirements need careful review.
Status certificate and condo documents
Provides financial, legal and governance information about the condo corporation and unit.
When: When investigating a condominium purchase.
Arrange a lawyer’s review. An offer’s review deadline and cancellation rights depend on the transaction and contract.
Condition notices, amendments and releases
Different documents have different effects on contractual rights and obligations.
When: When dealing with a condition, changing terms or seeking a release.
Waiver, fulfilment, amendment and mutual release are not interchangeable. Get advice before signing or letting a deadline pass.
Identity and compliance records
Records information required by the applicable transaction and compliance process.
When: When a brokerage’s applicable identification or reporting obligations arise.
Ask why information is needed and use a secure channel. Do not assume a particular OREA form is legally mandatory for every deal.
Closing or move-in records
May include lawyer instructions, insurance, adjustments, receipts and key inventory.
When: Before funds, possession or keys change hands.
Verify payment instructions independently through a trusted contact before transferring funds.
Review checklist
Seller document planning
Documents depend on the property, agreement, representation model and transaction. This is not an exhaustive compliance checklist.
RECO Information Guide
Explains representation, agreements and consumer protections.
When: At the start of working with a real estate agent.
Ask your agent to explain the guide and your relationship before agreeing to services.
Brokerage representation agreement
Sets the relationship, services, duration, scope and payment terms.
When: When agreeing to representation and services.
Read the fee, expiry, holdover and termination terms; use the current document appropriate to your representation model.
Agreement of Purchase and Sale
Records the property, price, deposit, closing date, conditions and agreed terms.
When: When making or responding to a purchase offer.
Accepted offers can bind you. Conditions, deadlines and notice requirements need careful review.
Status certificate and condo documents
Provides financial, legal and governance information about the condo corporation and unit.
When: When investigating a condominium purchase.
Arrange a lawyer’s review. An offer’s review deadline and cancellation rights depend on the transaction and contract.
Condition notices, amendments and releases
Different documents have different effects on contractual rights and obligations.
When: When dealing with a condition, changing terms or seeking a release.
Waiver, fulfilment, amendment and mutual release are not interchangeable. Get advice before signing or letting a deadline pass.
Identity and compliance records
Records information required by the applicable transaction and compliance process.
When: When a brokerage’s applicable identification or reporting obligations arise.
Ask why information is needed and use a secure channel. Do not assume a particular OREA form is legally mandatory for every deal.
Closing or move-in records
May include lawyer instructions, insurance, adjustments, receipts and key inventory.
When: Before funds, possession or keys change hands.
Verify payment instructions independently through a trusted contact before transferring funds.
Review checklist
Newcomer tenant document planning
Documents depend on the property, agreement, representation model and transaction. This is not an exhaustive compliance checklist.
RECO Information Guide
Explains representation, agreements and consumer protections.
When: At the start of working with a real estate agent.
Ask your agent to explain the guide and your relationship before agreeing to services.
Brokerage representation agreement
Sets the relationship, services, duration, scope and payment terms.
When: When agreeing to representation and services.
Read the fee, expiry, holdover and termination terms; use the current document appropriate to your representation model.
Rental application
Records relevant applicant information and any permission to check supporting information.
When: When applying for or assessing a rental.
Do not impose a universal SIN or immigration-document requirement. Apply lawful, consistent screening.
Agreement to Lease
Records an offer for a tenancy, including dates, rent, conditions and inclusions.
When: When proposing rental terms.
Acceptance can create binding obligations; it is not merely an informal reservation.
Ontario standard lease
The provincial tenancy agreement includes rights, responsibilities and key terms.
When: For most Ontario private residential tenancies.
Check whether the tenancy is covered. Additional terms cannot override statutory protections.
Condition notices, amendments and releases
Different documents have different effects on contractual rights and obligations.
When: When dealing with a condition, changing terms or seeking a release.
Waiver, fulfilment, amendment and mutual release are not interchangeable. Get advice before signing or letting a deadline pass.
Closing or move-in records
May include lawyer instructions, insurance, adjustments, receipts and key inventory.
When: Before funds, possession or keys change hands.
Verify payment instructions independently through a trusted contact before transferring funds.
Review checklist
Landlord document planning
Documents depend on the property, agreement, representation model and transaction. This is not an exhaustive compliance checklist.
RECO Information Guide
Explains representation, agreements and consumer protections.
When: At the start of working with a real estate agent.
Ask your agent to explain the guide and your relationship before agreeing to services.
Brokerage representation agreement
Sets the relationship, services, duration, scope and payment terms.
When: When agreeing to representation and services.
Read the fee, expiry, holdover and termination terms; use the current document appropriate to your representation model.
Rental application
Records relevant applicant information and any permission to check supporting information.
When: When applying for or assessing a rental.
Do not impose a universal SIN or immigration-document requirement. Apply lawful, consistent screening.
Agreement to Lease
Records an offer for a tenancy, including dates, rent, conditions and inclusions.
When: When proposing rental terms.
Acceptance can create binding obligations; it is not merely an informal reservation.
Ontario standard lease
The provincial tenancy agreement includes rights, responsibilities and key terms.
When: For most Ontario private residential tenancies.
Check whether the tenancy is covered. Additional terms cannot override statutory protections.
Condition notices, amendments and releases
Different documents have different effects on contractual rights and obligations.
When: When dealing with a condition, changing terms or seeking a release.
Waiver, fulfilment, amendment and mutual release are not interchangeable. Get advice before signing or letting a deadline pass.
Closing or move-in records
May include lawyer instructions, insurance, adjustments, receipts and key inventory.
When: Before funds, possession or keys change hands.
Verify payment instructions independently through a trusted contact before transferring funds.