There is nothing as fulfilling as someone finally getting to own a home. If you ask around, few people in Canada would love to pay rent for the rest of their lives. The stumbling block to achieving this dream, however, is the expensive home prices.
- What is First Time Home Buyer RRSP?
- What Makes You Eligible for the First time Home Buyer RRSP?
- Get the Best Mortgage Interest Rates in Canada. It only takes 5 Minutes!
- How Does First Time Home Buyer RRSP Withdrawal Work?
- RRSP First Time Home Buyer Repayment
- FAQs on First Time Home Buyer RRSP, Withdrawal, Repayment, and More!
- How long do you have to repay RRSP for first time home buyers
- How do I withdraw from my RRSP as a first time home buyer
- Is it a good idea to use RRSP to buy a house
- Is RRSP Home Buyers Plan worth it?
- What is RRSP First-Time Home Buyer Disadvantages?
- Can I use first time home buyer twice Canada?
- How much can I borrow from RRSP to buy a house?
- What happens if you don't pay back RRSP?
- How much can you take out of your RRSP for first home
- Do you have to pay back the first time home buyers plan from RRSP
- Is there any program for first-time homebuyers in Canada?
- Bottom Line: First Time Home Buyer Canada RRSP
Most people don’t have the money to buy homes at once. That’s why it is always a good idea to learn of any government policies that might make it easier for you to own a home for the first time.
Therefore, prospective home buyers would be relieved to hear about the Canadian government’s first time home buyer RRSP. The first question that might come to their minds is: what is it, and what does it mean for time home buyers?
Relax, sit back and let us tell you all there is to know about the first time home buyer Canada RRSP and how it would benefit you.
What is First Time Home Buyer RRSP?
You must be wondering, what is RRSP, and how do first-time home buyers benefit from it? Before we get to that, it would only be fair we let you know what it is.
This program allows first-time homebuyers to source funds from their Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs). They, therefore, get to pay back within 15 years after withdrawing from their RRSP.
But here’s the kicker.
A first-time home buyer can withdraw up to 35,000 from their RRSP to buy or build a qualifying home. And all that tax-free. Also, if you partner up with your spouse to buy the house, they get the exact figure to give you a cumulative figure of 70,000.
But for the home buyer RRSP withdrawal to apply to you, there are several conditions you need to meet. For starters, you must be buying a home for the first time.
What Makes You Eligible for the First time Home Buyer RRSP?
- You can’t have owned a house before unless it is over four years ago since you owned one.
- Before withdrawing any funds from your RRSP, they should have been in your account for no less than three months.
- If you have a spouse who isn’t a first time home buyer, then you need to have not stayed in that house for over four years.
- You should have entered into or signed an agreement agreeing to buy a home.
- The home you are planning to purchase should be your primary residence for at least a year.
- If you have used the home buyer RRSP withdrawal before, you need not have any outstanding amount in your account.
- You must reside in Canada.
These eligibility criteria also apply to first time home buyer Ontario RRSP and first time home buyer BC RRSP.
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How Does First Time Home Buyer RRSP Withdrawal Work?
Now that you know what would disqualify you if you want to participate in the HBP, let’s see how it works. The first thing you’ll want to do is ensure you meet the criteria we have told you above.
After you are sure you meet the criteria, you’d have to get a copy of form T1036. You can find this form on the website of the Canadian Revenue Agency. The first section is up to you to fill and includes filling in the amount you want to withdraw.
The 2nd section, however, is reserved for the financial institution that handles your RRSP. After filling the 2nd part and confirming all details, the bank will give you a T4RSP form that confirms how much you have withdrawn from your RRSP.
After that, you can now make a withdrawal and use it to buy your home. However, it is worth noting that you should withdraw the funds within a month of getting the title to your new home. If you go past thirty days, then you will lose the right not to be taxed.
After doing all that and having bought your home, you will now wait two years before starting payments. You will make the payments to your RRSP, and Canada Revenue Agency will send you a notice of assessment detailing how much you have repaid and how much is still outstanding.
RRSP First Time Home Buyer Repayment
Although the government is stepping in to help you buy a home, you will still have to pay back the money within 15 years. RRSP first time home buyer repayment is usually due two years after first time home buyer RRSP withdrawal.
To start repaying, you only have to contribute to your RRSP the year the payments are due or, if not that year, then within 60 days of the subsequent year.
FAQs on First Time Home Buyer RRSP, Withdrawal, Repayment, and More!
How long do you have to repay RRSP for first time home buyers
First-time home buyers have 15 years to repay their RRSP.
How do I withdraw from my RRSP as a first time home buyer
To withdraw from your RRSP as a first time home buyer, all you have to do is get a first time home buyer RRSP form T1036. Fill the form and take it to your bank. The bank will fill out the rest of the form and give you another form(T4RSP), a first time home buyer withdrawal form that will enable you to withdraw from your RRSP.
Is it a good idea to use RRSP to buy a house
You bet! It is a good idea. The RRSP first time home buyer limit is $35000 so, you can obtain up to that amount in funds to buy your home. Furthermore, if you buy a house with your spouse, you could get double that amount.
Is RRSP Home Buyers Plan worth it?
Yes, the first time home buyer incentive RRSP is worth it.It’s a fantastic opportunity to raise the amount of your down payment. The disadvantage of withdrawing money from an RRSP is that you’ll lose out on compounding interest, which may grow for retirement, especially if you don’t repay the loan or you repay it in full over 15 years.
What is RRSP First-Time Home Buyer Disadvantages?
There are four (4) Disadvantages of the RRSP First Time Home Buyers’ Plan:
1. Strict Repayment Rules.
2. Repayments Are Not Deductible.
3. Potential Growth is Lost.
4. Stress Resulting From Repayment Obligations
Can I use first time home buyer twice Canada?
Yes, you can use the first time home buyer twice if you’ve paid back your former HBP in full before or by the deadline.
How much can I borrow from RRSP to buy a house?
You can borrow up to $35,000 from your RRSP to buy a house.
You might be able to use up to $35,000 of your RRSP savings ($70,000 for a couple) for a down payment on a house with the federal government’s Home Buyers’ Plan. The funds you’re using must be deposited for at least 90 days to qualify. You must also produce and sign a written agreement to acquire.
What happens if you don’t pay back RRSP?
If you do not pay back your RRSP, any funds that are not re-deposited will be considered a regular RRSP withdrawal and must be declared as income, at which point they would be taxed at your marginal rate. Cancellation repayment must be completed by December 31 of the year after the withdrawal was made.
How much can you take out of your RRSP for first home
You can take out up to 35,000 dollars.
Do you have to pay back the first time home buyers plan from RRSP
Yes, you have. It is a loan you have to pay back.
Is there any program for first-time homebuyers in Canada?
Yes, there is. The first-time homebuyer RRSP enables you to withdraw funds from your RRSP for your home-buying plans.
Bottom Line: First Time Home Buyer Canada RRSP
Will the first time home buyer RRSP pay for all your expenses towards a house? Possibly not. Will it help you buy a home easier than if you wouldn’t have it? Of course, yes.
We hope you are now better enlightened regarding that program and can now take massive advantage of it. All the best. Your new home is worth it.
Check out more first time home buyer tips that’ll make your journey into homeownership easier.
AUTHOR

Charity (Charee) Oisamoje is the founder of TheFinanceKey - TFK. She leads the editorial team, which is comprised of subject-matter experts.
Her professional competencies and expertise make her qualified on this topic. She is an expert at collecting details, verifying facts, and making complex subjects easy to understand.
Backed by Solid Credentials: MBA in Finance
Canadian Investment Funds (IFIC) Graduate
Masters Degree in International Business
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Candidate ✔️Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) ✔️BSc Accounting
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