Escrow
Learn what escrow means in Canadian real estate, how it works in holding deposits and documents, and why it's important for a secure property transaction.
May 22, 2025
What is Escrow?
Escrow is a financial arrangement where a third party holds funds or documents on behalf of two other parties until all agreed-upon conditions of a real estate transaction are met.
Why Escrow Matters in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, escrow is most commonly used to hold a buyer’s deposit during the period between the acceptance of an offer and the closing date. The funds are kept in a trust account—usually by the seller’s real estate brokerage or lawyer—and are only released once all contractual obligations are fulfilled.
Escrow protects both parties: the seller knows the buyer has committed funds, while the buyer is assured their deposit won’t be misused. In some complex deals, escrow may also involve holding legal documents, mortgage instructions, or tax-related forms until closing.
If the transaction falls through due to unmet conditions, the escrow holder returns the deposit to the buyer (assuming no contractual breach). However, if the buyer walks away without justification, the seller may have the right to keep the deposit, as outlined in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.
Understanding how escrow works helps buyers and sellers manage risk, comply with contract terms, and avoid legal disputes over funds or paperwork.
Example of Escrow
A buyer puts down a $25,000 deposit on a Toronto condo. The deposit is held in escrow by the listing brokerage and applied to the purchase price once the deal closes.Key Takeaways
- A neutral third party holds funds or documents until deal conditions are met.
- Protects buyers and sellers during real estate transactions.
- Most commonly used to hold the buyer’s deposit.
- Funds are released only once terms of the agreement are satisfied.
- Reduces financial risk and improves transaction security.
Related Terms
- Deposit
- Agreement of Purchase and Sale
- Trust Account
- Conditional Offer
- Closing Date


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)
