Calculate the land titles fees for your home purchase in the Northwest Territories. The NWT does not charge a traditional land transfer tax — instead, there are registration fees based on the property value and mortgage amount.
NWT Land Titles Fee Schedule
The Northwest Territories charges land titles fees rather than a land transfer tax. These fees are set out in the Land Titles Tariff of Fees Regulations and administered through the NWT Land Titles Office.
Property Transfer Fee
| Property Value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $1,000,000 | $2.00 per $1,000 of property value (minimum $100) |
| Over $1,000,000 | $2,000 plus $1.50 per $1,000 of value over $1,000,000 |
Mortgage Registration Fee
| Mortgage Amount | Fee |
|---|---|
| All amounts | $1.50 per $1,000 of mortgage amount (minimum $80) |
How to Calculate NWT Land Titles Fees
Example: For a $400,000 home with a $320,000 mortgage:
Property Transfer Fee:
- $400,000 / $1,000 x $2.00 = $800
Mortgage Registration Fee:
- $320,000 / $1,000 x $1.50 = $480
Total NWT Fees: $800 + $480 = $1,280
NWT vs Other Provinces
The Northwest Territories’ fee-based system is one of the more affordable in Canada, though its mortgage registration fee scales more than some other territories:
| Province/Territory | Cost on $400,000 Home |
|---|---|
| Northwest Territories | ~$1,280 (fees, with a $320,000 mortgage) |
| Alberta | ~$820 (fees) |
| Ontario | $4,475 (LTT) |
| BC | $6,000 (PTT) |
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in the Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories does not offer a territorial first-time homebuyer exemption for land titles fees. However, first-time buyers can benefit from federal programs to help with the cost of their purchase:
- 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 the Northwest Territories
Land titles fees are only one part of the total cost of purchasing a home in the NWT. Other closing costs include legal fees, title insurance, a home inspection, property tax adjustments, and mortgage default insurance if your down payment is less than 20%. Housing costs in the North can be higher due to remote location and limited supply. Use our closing costs calculator to estimate your total buying costs, and our mortgage calculator to calculate your expected 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.
NWT Fees by Home Price (assumes 80% LTV mortgage)
| Purchase Price | Property Fee | Mortgage Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $500 | $300 | $800 |
| $350,000 | $700 | $420 | $1,120 |
| $400,000 | $800 | $480 | $1,280 |
| $500,000 | $1,000 | $600 | $1,600 |
| $600,000 | $1,200 | $720 | $1,920 |
NWT vs Other Territories and Provinces
| Region | Transfer Cost on $400K Home | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yukon | ~$250 | Lowest — flat tiered fees |
| Alberta | ~$820 | Registration fees only |
| NWT | ~$1,280 | Land titles + mortgage registration fees |
| Saskatchewan | ~$1,875 | Land titles fee + mortgage registration |
| Ontario | $4,475 | Progressive LTT |
| BC | $6,000 | Progressive PTT |
The NWT has among the lowest property transfer costs in Canada — well below all provinces with true land transfer taxes, though somewhat higher than Alberta or Yukon due to its per-$1,000 mortgage registration fee.
Total Closing Costs in the Northwest Territories
| Closing Cost | Estimated Amount ($400K home) |
|---|---|
| Land titles transfer fee | $800 |
| Mortgage registration fee | $480 |
| Legal fees | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Home inspection | $500–$900 |
| Property tax adjustment | $500–$1,500 |
| Total estimated closing costs | $3,780–$6,180 |
Legal and inspection costs in Yellowknife and other NWT communities tend to be moderately higher than in southern cities due to the limited availability of professionals and travel costs.
Yellowknife Real Estate Notes
Yellowknife accounts for the majority of NWT real estate transactions. The market is relatively small but stable. Unlike southern markets, Yellowknife home prices have not experienced the same dramatic appreciation as Vancouver or Toronto — making affordability somewhat better relative to local incomes. However, the cost of living (food, services, fuel) is significantly higher than in southern Canada.