What does buying a home 'as is' mean in Ontario?

Buying "as is" in Ontario means you are agreeing to purchase the property in its current condition, without the seller being required to make any repairs or improvements before closing. The risk is that problems discovered after the offer is firm — whether structural, mechanical, or cosmetic — generally remain yours to fix at your own expense.

Ontario does not impose a general duty on private sellers to disclose all known defects, but sellers cannot actively conceal material latent defects (hidden problems that make the property unfit for habitation or that a reasonable buyer would not discover on a normal inspection). If a seller fraudulently hides a serious defect, they may be liable even in an "as is" sale.

The practical protection in an "as is" purchase is a home inspection condition. If the inspection reveals problems you are unwilling to accept, you can choose not to waive the condition and walk away with your deposit returned. Waiving the home inspection condition on an "as is" property carries real financial risk and should only be done with a clear understanding of what you are accepting.