When does my name actually go on title when I buy a condo through an assignment?

When you purchase a condo through an assignment, your name does not appear on title until the final (registration) closing — the point at which the condominium corporation is registered with the land registry and individual unit titles can be issued.

The sequence is: the original buyer (assignor) transfers their contractual rights to you through the assignment agreement. You then take over as the party to the purchase agreement with the builder. At occupancy closing, you move into the unit and pay occupancy fees to the builder as the assignee. At final closing, the builder's lawyer and your lawyer complete the transfer, the land transfer tax is paid, and title is registered in your name.

Critically, the assignor's name is never on title — the condo was not complete enough for title to exist when the assignment occurred. However, if the condo registers title during the occupancy period, the builder may need to transfer directly to you with the assignor's confirmation.

Because you hold only contractual rights (not title) during the interim occupancy period, there is no property in your name to protect during that window. Your legal protection comes from the assignment agreement and the original purchase agreement. This is one reason why having both the assignment agreement and the original purchase agreement properly reviewed is so important.