What do I do if a paid-off mortgage still shows on my Ontario property title?

Once you have paid off a mortgage, the lender is obligated to provide a discharge document so the charge can be removed from title at the Ontario land registry. Until the discharge is registered, the paid mortgage remains visible on title searches and can complicate future sales, refinancing, or estate administration.

In practice, lenders sometimes delay sending discharge documentation, particularly private lenders or in situations where the loan was paid out informally. If your lender is unresponsive, your lawyer can send a formal demand for the discharge. Prolonged non-response can be escalated through legal channels, and in some cases a court order can compel the discharge registration.

If the lender no longer exists — for example, a private individual who has died or a company that has wound up — obtaining a discharge becomes more complicated and may require a court application to have the charge removed. This is one reason private mortgage documentation should always be carefully maintained. If you discover an old mortgage on title, contact a real estate lawyer promptly. The longer it sits unresolved, the more complex it can become, especially if you plan to sell or refinance in the near future.