How long does a seller have to accept my offer in Ontario?
Every offer in Ontario includes an irrevocability clause that states the date and time by which the seller must accept, reject, or counter-sign the offer. Until that deadline passes, the buyer cannot withdraw the offer unilaterally — the offer is "irrevocable" for that window. After the deadline, if no response has been received, the offer expires automatically and the buyer is free.
In practice, irrevocability periods can be as short as a few hours in a competitive market or up to 24–48 hours in a quieter market. If the seller counter-signs with any change — even a minor one like adjusting the closing date — that counter-offer becomes a new offer with its own irrevocability period, and the original buyer must then decide whether to accept.
The irrevocability period is a negotiating tool. Buyers sometimes use short windows to create urgency; sellers sometimes request more time to consider competing offers. Your real estate agent can advise on strategy, and a lawyer can clarify your obligations before the deadline passes.
Key takeaways
- The irrevocability clause sets the exact deadline for seller acceptance.
- After the deadline, an unaccepted offer expires and the buyer is released.
- Any change by the seller creates a new counter-offer with its own deadline.
- Irrevocability length is negotiable and depends on market conditions.