Can I sell my house without a final inspection certificate?

In Ottawa, you can technically sell your house without a final inspection certificate, but it creates significant risks and complications that most buyers and lenders won't accept.

Here's what you need to know about selling without proper inspection certificates in Ottawa:

Legal Requirements vs. Practical Reality

While Ontario law doesn't explicitly prevent the sale of a home without final inspection certificates, any work done without proper permits and final inspections creates major issues. If you've had electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or structural work done in recent years, buyers will expect to see:

• Final electrical inspection certificates from ESA (Electrical Safety Authority)
• Gas work completion certificates from TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority)
• City of Ottawa building permit final inspection sign-offs
• Any required occupancy permits for additions or secondary suites

Why This Matters for Ottawa Home Sales

Most buyers in Ottawa will walk away from a house with unpermitted work or missing final inspections. Their lawyers will flag this during the title search and property review. Mortgage lenders often require proof that all work was done to code with proper permits - without this, financing can be denied.

If you've done renovations in Ottawa without permits, you have a few options before listing:

Get Retroactive Permits: Contact City of Ottawa Building Code Services at 613-580-2424. You can often get permits after the fact, though it requires inspections and may need some work to be opened up or redone to verify code compliance.

ESA After-the-Fact Inspections: For electrical work, ESA offers inspections of completed work. Visit esasafe.com or call them to arrange an inspection. Expect to pay $100-200 for the inspection.

TSSA Compliance: For any gas work, contact TSSA to verify compliance and get proper certificates.

Disclosure Requirements

In Ontario, you're legally required to disclose known defects and unpermitted work to buyers. Trying to hide missing permits or certificates can lead to legal action after closing. It's better to address these issues upfront or price the home accordingly.

What Buyers' Lawyers Look For

Ottawa real estate lawyers routinely check for:

• Outstanding work orders from the City of Ottawa


• Unpermitted additions or renovations visible on MLS photos vs. original building records


• Missing ESA or TSSA certificates for recent electrical/gas work


• Zoning compliance issues, especially for basement apartments or home businesses

The safest approach is to contact City of Ottawa Building Code Services at ottawa.ca/building to review what permits and final inspections you need before listing. This protects both you and the buyer, and typically leads to a smoother, faster sale at a better price.