If you’ve received notice of a writ or lien against your property, it can feel alarming—and confusing. What does it mean? Can you lose your home? And most importantly, how do you resolve it?
The good news is that writs and liens, while serious, can almost always be resolved—especially if you own a home with equity. At TurnedAway.ca, we help Canadian homeowners clear writs and liens using the equity in their homes, even when the banks have said no.
This guide explains what writs and liens are, how they affect your property, and the practical steps you can take to resolve them.
What Is a Writ?
A writ of seizure and sale (often just called a “writ”) is a legal order that a creditor obtains after winning a judgment against you in court. Once registered with the sheriff’s office in your region, it attaches to any property you own in that jurisdiction.
In practical terms, a writ means that if you sell or refinance your home, the amount owed must be paid out of the proceeds before you receive anything. It can also, in some cases, give the creditor the right to force the sale of your property—though this is relatively rare and usually a last resort.
What Is a Lien?
A lien is a legal claim registered directly against your property as security for a debt. Unlike a writ, which comes from a court judgment, a lien can arise in several ways:
- Construction/builder’s lien: Filed by a contractor who wasn’t paid for work on your property.
- Tax lien: Registered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for unpaid taxes, or by your municipality for unpaid property taxes.
- Mortgage lien: Your mortgage itself is a lien, giving the lender a claim until it’s paid off.
Like a writ, a lien must typically be paid off before you can sell or refinance your home with a clear title.
How Writs and Liens Affect Homeowners
Both writs and liens create the same core problem: they cloud your title. This means:
- You generally can’t sell your home until they’re cleared.
- You can’t refinance with a traditional lender while they’re registered.
- Interest and legal costs may continue to accumulate.
- In serious cases, a creditor may pursue forced sale of the property.
The longer they remain unresolved, the more they can cost you—and the more they limit your options.
2026 Update: Why More Homeowners Are Facing Writs and Liens
Financial pressure on Canadian households has been building. According to CMHC’s Spring 2026 Residential Mortgage Industry Report, the national 90+ day mortgage delinquency rate rose to 0.24% by the end of 2025, with the sharpest increases in Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area, up 35% and 45% year-over-year. As more homeowners fall behind on debts, taxes, and payments during the mortgage renewal wave, judgments and liens against property have become more common. For homeowners with equity, though, these claims can usually be cleared—often faster than expected.
Source: CMHC, Spring 2026 Residential Mortgage Industry Report.
How to Resolve a Writ or Lien
1. Confirm the Details
Start by getting the full details: who filed it, how much is owed, and when it was registered. You can search title records through your provincial land registry, and for writs, through the local sheriff’s office. A real estate lawyer can help you confirm exactly what’s attached to your title.
2. Negotiate or Pay the Debt
In some cases, creditors will accept a negotiated settlement for less than the full amount, especially if paying immediately. Once paid, the creditor is responsible for discharging the writ or lien—but you’ll want written confirmation that it’s been removed.
3. Use Your Home Equity to Clear It
This is where most of our clients find their solution. If you have equity in your home, you can borrow against it to pay off the writ or lien in full—clearing your title in the process. Options include:
- A home equity loan
- A second mortgage
- Debt consolidation that rolls the debt into a single manageable payment
Because these solutions are based on your home’s equity rather than your credit score, they’re available even to homeowners who’ve been turned down by the banks.
4. Act Before It Escalates
The most important step is not to ignore it. An unresolved writ or lien can escalate to forced sale or foreclosure proceedings. Acting early gives you the most options and the lowest cost.
How TurnedAway.ca Helps
For over 30 years, we’ve helped Canadian homeowners resolve writs, liens, and judgments using the equity in their homes. Our approach:
- We focus on your home equity, not just your credit score or income.
- We work quickly, with approvals often available in 24 to 48 hours to stop escalation.
- We arrange financing up to 80% of your home’s value, keeping a responsible equity buffer.
- We coordinate with your lawyer to ensure the writ or lien is properly discharged.
Not sure how much equity you can access? Try our home equity loan calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my house with a writ or lien on it?
Technically the sale can proceed, but the writ or lien must be paid out of the proceeds before you receive any money, and it must be cleared for the buyer to get clean title. Many homeowners choose to resolve it beforehand to avoid complications.
Can I refinance to pay off a lien?
Yes. If you have enough equity, refinancing or a second mortgage can pay off the lien and clear your title—even if a traditional bank has declined you.
How long does it take to remove a writ or lien?
Once the debt is paid, the creditor discharges it, though the timing varies. Financing through an equity-based lender can often be arranged within 24 to 48 hours so you can act quickly.
Will a writ or lien hurt my credit?
The underlying judgment or debt may already be affecting your credit. Resolving it promptly helps you begin rebuilding and reopens access to traditional financing over time.
Resolve Your Writ or Lien—Get Started Today
A writ or lien doesn’t have to put your home at risk. If you have equity, TurnedAway.ca can help you clear it and regain control of your finances.
Apply now or call us at 1-855-668-3074 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
