Mortgage
Independent Legal Advice.

When Do Lenders Require Mortgage ILA in Ontario?

Ontario lenders — including major banks, credit unions, and private mortgage lenders — typically require ILA in the following situations:

• Non-title spouse signing consent: If one spouse is on the mortgage but not on title, or vice versa, lenders often require the non-title spouse to obtain ILA before signing the mortgage or consent documents.
• Personal guarantees on mortgages: Business owners or family members guaranteeing a corporate or personal mortgage may be required to obtain ILA to confirm they understand their personal liability.
• Refinancing with a new guarantor: When a refinance adds or changes a guarantor, lenders may require that new party to obtain ILA.
• Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs): Some HELOC products require ILA from all signing parties, particularly if there is a discrepancy in title ownership.
• Second mortgages and private loans: Private lenders and mortgage investment corporations routinely require ILA as a condition of funding.

Your real estate lawyer or mortgage broker can tell you specifically what your lender has required. If you have been told you need ILA and are not sure what that means or how to get it, Solvine Law can help.

What Your Mortgage ILA Appointment Covers

During your mortgage ILA appointment with Solvine Law, your lawyer will:

• Confirm your identity and relationship to the primary borrower or transaction
• Review the specific mortgage document, guarantee, or consent form with you
• Explain your legal obligations — including what happens if the primary borrower defaults
• Advise you on your rights and any risks associated with the document
• Answer all of your questions about the document and your obligations
• Confirm that you are signing voluntarily and with full understanding
• Issue a signed ILA certificate meeting your lender's requirements

Our goal is not merely to check a box — it is to ensure you genuinely understand what you are agreeing to before you sign. We take that responsibility seriously.

What if I Disagree with Something in the Mortgage Documents?

ILA does not obligate you to sign. If, after our review, you have concerns about the documents, you are free to decline to sign, request changes through your real estate lawyer, or ask your lender for clarification. Our role is to advise you — not to pressure you into completing the transaction.

Mortgage ILA Pricing — Flat Fees, No Surprises

Solvine Law charges a flat fee for mortgage ILA. The fee covers the document review, the virtual consultation, and the issuance of a signed ILA certificate. There are no hourly rates, no retainers, and no billing surprises.

Mortgage ILA fees at Solvine Law are among the most competitive in Ontario for the quality of service provided. We serve clients from major urban centres like Toronto and Ottawa to smaller communities across the province — at the same flat fee regardless of your location.

To confirm the current fee and book your appointment, visit our booking page. We typically respond within a few hours and can accommodate same-week scheduling in most cases.