Contingency Clause
Learn about contingency clauses in Canadian real estate — what they are, common types, and why they protect buyers and sellers.
July 27, 2025
What is a Contingency Clause?
A contingency clause in real estate is a contract provision that makes the deal dependent on certain conditions being met, such as financing approval or inspection results.
Why Contingency Clauses Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian property transactions, contingencies protect buyers and sellers by setting clear conditions that must be satisfied for the deal to proceed.
Common contingencies:
- Financing approval
- Satisfactory home inspection
- Sale of buyer’s current home
Understanding contingency clauses helps manage risk and ensures clarity in negotiations.
Example of Contingency Clause in Action
The offer included a contingency clause making the purchase conditional on a satisfactory home inspection.
Key Takeaways
- Sets conditions for deal to proceed
- Protects parties in a transaction
- Common in offers to purchase
- Helps manage risk and expectations
- Must be clearly documented


Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 






15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)

Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
