The Biggest Hike of 2024: Alberta’s Land Titles Registration Fees Increase

On September 27, 2024, the Government of Alberta confirmed a significant change that will affect real estate buyers and mortgage holders across the province. Starting on October 20, 2024, registration fees for land transfers and mortgages will increase sharply as the new amendments to the Land Titles Act[1] and the Tariff of Fees Regulation[2] come into force.[3] This marks the biggest hike of the year and this increases land registration costs significantly, impacting those planning real estate transactions in Alberta.

What’s Changing?

For years, Alberta buyers and mortgage holders benefited from some of the lowest registration fees in Canada. However, that landscape is about to shift. The new fee structure introduces a substantial increase from the previous rates, which had been in place since 2020.

• Old Structure: A base fee of $50[4] plus $2 per $5,000 of property value for land transfers and $1.50 per $5,000 of mortgage value.
• New Structure: A base fee of $50 plus $5 per $5,000 of property value and mortgage value.[5]

Let’s look at an example to understand the impact:

• A $1,000,000 land transfer previously cost $450. As of October 20, 2024, this will jump to $1,050.
• Similarly, a $1,000,000 mortgage registration will rise from $350 to $1,050.

This is more than double the previous costs for both land transfers and mortgages, making it critical for buyers and borrowers to take note of these changes.

The Rationale Behind the Increase

This increase was initially foreshadowed in the province’s 2024 fiscal budget. The Alberta government emphasized the need to update land registration fees, which had not seen a major revision since 2020. The new fee structure is expected to generate additional revenue to support the province’s real estate registration systems and related services. Although Alberta’s fees will still remain among the lowest in Canada, the increase will be felt by those entering the market.

Key Date: October 20, 2024

The amendments will take effect on October 20, 2024, which means that any transfers of land or mortgages submitted for registration on or after this date will be subject to the higher fees. Purchasers and borrowers have until October 18, 2024 to submit their documents to the Alberta Land Titles Office under the current, lower fee schedule. If they miss this deadline, their transactions will automatically fall under the new fee regime.

If you have any questions about how this fee hike might impact your upcoming transaction, or if you need assistance with navigating the new fee structure, feel free to reach out to our team. We are here to help ensure your real estate journey is as smooth and cost-effective as possible.

[1] Land Titles Act, RSA 2000, c L-4 as amended by Section 5 of the Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2024.

[2] Tariff of Fees Regulation, Alta Reg 120/2000.

[3] Government of Alberta, Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, Fiscal Plan 2024-27 (29 February 2024) at 128

[4] Tariff of Fees Regulation, Alta Reg 120/2000, ss 3-4.

[5] Land Titles Act, RSA 2000, c L-4, ss 64.1, 102.1. Note that the new fee schedule for transfers and mortgages has been removed from the Regulation and will instead be included in the Land Titles Act itself, specifically sections 64.1 (land transfers) and 102.1 (mortgage registrations).

Author: Harsimrat Singh Nahal