How Long Does a Writ of Seizure and Sale Last in Ontario — and Can You Renew It?

Winning a judgment in Ontario doesn't collect the money by itself — you still need to enforce it, and one of the main enforcement tools is a writ of seizure and sale. But a writ doesn't last forever. If you let it lapse before locating the debtor's assets, you can lose ground you already gained.

Understanding the writ of seizure and sale expiry rules in Ontario, and how renewal works, helps you avoid having to start the enforcement clock over.

What a Writ of Seizure and Sale Does

A writ of seizure and sale is a court document that authorizes the sheriff for the county where the debtor has property to seize and sell that property to satisfy a judgment. It applies to personal property and, in some cases, land. Importantly, the sheriff does not go looking for assets on its own — the creditor has to identify what to target and direct the sheriff to act.

How Long a Writ Stays Valid

In practical terms: a writ issued shortly after judgment is good for six years on its own. If the debtor's assets haven't surfaced by then, the writ can typically be renewed for another six-year term rather than letting it lapse. A writ renewed before it expires needs no leave, however old the judgment. Leave is needed only to issue a new writ six or more years after the order, so don't let a writ lapse. These figures reflect the rule as of mid-2026 — confirm the current position before relying on them.

Why Writs Lapse in the First Place

A writ can expire simply because a debtor's assets were never located, income was too thin to pursue, or the creditor did not stay on top of the enforcement file. None of that means the underlying judgment disappears — it generally means a new writ must be issued, since an expired writ cannot be renewed, with leave if six or more years have passed since the order.

Renewing a Writ: What to Keep in Mind

1. Track the issue date. Know when your writ was originally issued so you are not caught off guard by the six-year mark.
2. Renew before it lapses, where possible. Acting before expiry is generally more straightforward than trying to revive an already-expired writ.
3. Watch the six-year-from-judgment threshold separately. Leave is needed to issue a new writ six or more years after the order. A writ renewed before it expires needs no leave, however old the judgment.
4. Budget for the fee. Issuing a writ of seizure and sale in Small Claims Court carried a filing fee of $68.00 as of mid-2026 — always verify the current amount before filing, since court fees are set by regulation and adjusted periodically.
5. Keep the sheriff informed. Since the sheriff won't search for assets independently, providing updated information about the debtor's property when you renew helps keep enforcement moving.

Frequently asked questions