In short
Think of it like checking a used car's history before you buy.
How you hold title with a partner matters too: joint tenancy and tenants in common treat a share very differently if one owner dies.
How title works in Ontario
Almost every property in Ontario is recorded in the Land Titles system, an electronic register run by the province. Each property has a parcel register that lists the current owners, the mortgages, and anything else registered against it, like easements, liens or notices.
Deeds and mortgages are registered electronically, usually by the lawyers on each side of the deal. Anyone can search a parcel register for a fee through the province's online land registry, ONLAND, or at a land registry office.
Under Land Titles, the register itself is strong evidence of who owns the land. That is why your lawyer checks it carefully before money changes hands.
What your lawyer checks before closing
A title search confirms the seller is the registered owner and has the right to sell. It also shows what will need to be paid off and discharged on closing, such as the seller's mortgage or a contractor's lien.
Your lawyer also looks for things that stay with the property after you buy, like easements or restrictive covenants, and runs searches for unpaid property taxes, utility arrears, work orders and executions (court judgments) against the seller.
It's a lot like checking a used car's history before you buy: you want to know exactly what you're inheriting.
Joint tenants or tenants in common?
When two or more people buy together, the way you take title matters. As joint tenants, you own the whole property together, and if one owner dies, their share passes automatically to the surviving owner, outside the will.
As tenants in common, each owner holds a defined share, which can be unequal, such as 60/40. When one owner dies, their share goes to their estate, not automatically to the co-owner.
In Ontario, if the transfer doesn't clearly say joint tenants, the law generally treats co-owners as tenants in common. Talk to your lawyer about which fits your situation before closing.
Common questions about title
How do I check who owns a property in Ontario?
You can search the property's parcel register through ONLAND, the province's online land registry, or at a land registry office. A fee applies. The register shows the registered owners and most documents registered against the property, like mortgages, easements and liens. For a purchase, your lawyer does a full title search, which goes further than a simple ownership check.
What is the difference between joint tenancy and tenants in common in Ontario?
The big difference is what happens when an owner dies. With joint tenancy, the deceased owner's share passes automatically to the surviving owner. With tenants in common, each owner holds a separate share that goes to their estate under their will. Couples often choose joint tenancy, while friends, family investors and blended families often choose tenants in common. Your lawyer can explain which fits you.
What is a title search?
A title search is your lawyer's review of the land register and related records to confirm the seller can sell and the property is free of unexpected claims. It shows the owners, mortgages, liens, easements and other registrations. Your lawyer also checks for things like unpaid taxes and court judgments, so problems are fixed or paid out before closing.
Can you change how title is held after you buy?
Yes, co-owners can change how they hold title after closing by registering a new transfer. Changing from joint tenants to tenants in common, or the reverse, has legal, estate and sometimes tax consequences, and it can involve registration costs. Get advice from a real estate or estates lawyer before making the change.
Sources
General information for Ontario, updated October 2026. Not legal, tax or mortgage advice. Rules change, so confirm with your lawyer, lender or the source above before you rely on it.