Calculate the registration of deeds fees for your home purchase in Newfoundland and Labrador. NL does not charge a land transfer tax — instead, there is a registration of deeds fee based on the property value.
Newfoundland and Labrador Fee Schedule
Newfoundland and Labrador does not charge a land transfer tax. Instead, the Registration of Deeds Act requires the following fees:
Registration of Deeds Fee (Property)
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base fee | $100 |
| Variable fee | $0.40 per $100 of value over $500 |
Registration of Deeds Fee (Mortgage)
The same fee structure applies for mortgage registration:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base fee | $100 |
| Variable fee | $0.40 per $100 of mortgage amount over $500 |
Properties or mortgages under $500 are charged only the flat $100 fee.
How to Calculate NL Registration Fees
Example: For a $300,000 home with a $240,000 mortgage:
Property Registration Fee:
- Base fee: $100
- Variable: ($300,000 - $500) / $100 x $0.40 = $1,198
- Total property fee: $1,298
Mortgage Registration Fee:
- Base fee: $100
- Variable: ($240,000 - $500) / $100 x $0.40 = $958
- Total mortgage fee: $1,058
Total NL Registration Fees: $1,298 + $1,058 = $2,356
NL vs Other Provinces
While Newfoundland and Labrador’s fees are higher than Alberta or Saskatchewan, they are still lower than the land transfer taxes in most other provinces:
| Province | Cost on $300,000 Home |
|---|---|
| Newfoundland & Labrador | ~$2,356 (fees) |
| Ontario | $2,975 (LTT) |
| BC | $4,000 (PTT) |
| Saskatchewan | ~$1,060 (fees) |
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador does not offer a provincial first-time homebuyer exemption for registration of deeds fees. However, first-time buyers can take advantage of several federal programs to help offset the cost of purchasing a home:
- Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP): Withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSP tax-free for a first home purchase
- First Home Savings Account (FHSA): Save up to $40,000 tax-free for your first home
- Home Buyers’ Tax Credit: Federal non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,500
Other Closing Costs in Newfoundland and Labrador
Registration of deeds fees are only one part of the total closing costs when buying a home in Newfoundland and Labrador. Other expenses to plan for include legal fees, title insurance, a home inspection, property tax adjustments, and mortgage default insurance if your down payment is below 20%. Use our closing costs calculator to estimate all your buying costs, and our mortgage calculator to determine your monthly payments.
Land Transfer Tax in Other Provinces
Land transfer tax rates and rules vary across Canada. See our Land Transfer Tax Calculator for a complete comparison of rates in all provinces and territories.
NL Registration Fees by Home Price
| Purchase Price | Property Fee | Mortgage Fee (80% LTV) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200,000 | $898 | $738 | $1,636 |
| $250,000 | $1,098 | $898 | $1,996 |
| $300,000 | $1,298 | $1,058 | $2,356 |
| $350,000 | $1,498 | $1,218 | $2,716 |
| $400,000 | $1,698 | $1,378 | $3,076 |
| $500,000 | $2,098 | $1,698 | $3,796 |
Mortgage fee column assumes 80% LTV (20% down payment).
NL vs Other Atlantic Provinces
| Province | Transfer Cost on $300K Home | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland & Labrador | ~$2,356 | Registration fees only; no LTT |
| New Brunswick | ~$2,850 | 1% of assessed value |
| PEI | $3,000 | 1% of purchase price |
| Nova Scotia (Halifax) | $4,500 | 1.5% municipal DTT |
Newfoundland has the lowest transfer costs in Atlantic Canada — and among the lowest in all of Canada.
Total Closing Costs in Newfoundland and Labrador
| Closing Cost | Estimated Amount ($300K home) |
|---|---|
| Property registration fee | $1,298 |
| Mortgage registration fee | $1,058 |
| Legal fees | $1,000–$1,500 |
| Title insurance | $150–$300 |
| Home inspection | $400–$600 |
| Property tax adjustment | $500–$1,500 |
| Total estimated closing costs | $4,406–$6,256 |
Budget approximately 1.5%–2% of the purchase price for closing costs in Newfoundland and Labrador.
St. John’s vs Other Cities
NL’s affordable home prices and low registration fees make it one of the cheapest provinces for the total cost of buying a home. A buyer in St. John’s purchasing a $350,000 home pays approximately $2,716 in registration fees, compared to over $6,000 in Halifax and over $8,000 in Toronto for the same price.