Massive banks sluggish to roll out secondary suite refinancing program regardless of January 15 launch


That is regardless of the federal authorities’s promise that the brand new refinancing measures, permitting owners to refinance as much as 90% of their house’s worth so as to add a secondary suite for rental functions, can be out there for mortgage insurance coverage functions submitted by January 15.

Owners interested by this system have additionally been left at midnight, unsure of the place to show for data or the right way to entry this system. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Company (CMHC), which is overseeing the initiative, beforehand advised us that owners ought to contact their lender or mortgage supplier for steerage.

To recap, this system, which was introduced in December and launched on January 15, permits owners to refinance as much as 90% of their property’s worth (capped at $2 million) so as to add as much as 4 rental items—corresponding to basement residences, in-law suites, or laneway houses.

Nevertheless, as we’ve reported, many brokers are nonetheless ready for extra particulars on how this system will likely be managed earlier than providing it to purchasers. This appears to be the case for a lot of lenders as nicely, leading to a patchwork of choices for owners hoping to entry this system in its early levels.

BMO, RBC and Nationwide Financial institution among the many few providing help for secondary suite refinancing

Canadian Mortgage Tendencies reached out to Canada’s main banks—Scotiabank, TD, RBC, Nationwide Financial institution, BMO, and CIBC—to verify whether or not they’re at present accepting functions for this system.

Of these, solely BMO, RBC and Nationwide Financial institution confirmed that they’re at present in a position to help prospects interested by pursuing the refinancing choice. For purchasers with these banks, contacting a mortgage specialist is all that’s wanted to inquire about this system, assess its suitability, and start the applying course of.

For different banks, the launch of this system is both below evaluate or on maintain till CMHC releases additional steerage.

Purposes could also be out there by way of smaller lenders

For these contemplating smaller lenders to entry this system, there are some choices out there.

For instance, Coast Capital, a British Columbia-based credit score union, has confirmed that they’re at present providing this system. Owners interested by making use of can merely attain out to their mortgage specialist for extra data.

CMT will proceed to observe the rollout of this system, however brokers and owners are inspired to contact their lender instantly to verify availability.


This text has been up to date. A earlier model included a quote from RBC stating that it isn’t but accepting functions for the secondary suite refinancing program. Nevertheless, the financial institution clarified that it was referring to the Secondary Suite Mortgage Program.

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Final modified: January 31, 2025

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